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Halloween Safety for
Your Pet |
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Many youngsters
dabble in devilish behavior this time of year, and often, animals are the
targets of their pranks. But what's a "treat" for the kids can be a cruel trick
for a dog or cat. Here are some tips to help keep your animals safe on this
haunting holiday:
Most
importantly, keep animals inside. For cats-especially black cats, who have unfairly been associated
with "evil forces"-the days leading up to Halloween can be dark, indeed, as
pranksters often go on the prowl for roaming kitties. In fact, many animal
shelters refuse to adopt out black cats during the entire month of October. (As
a worker at a
Detroit
shelter put it, "Nobody gets a black cat during the month of October if they ask
for one, no matter how nice they are.")
Dogs should be kept indoors, too. Some kids think that letting dogs out of their
yards on Halloween is a great trick, but it's a terrifying experience for dogs,
who run from the noise and strangely dressed people and become lost. Dogs can
also be injured when kids poke at them through fences or pelt them with eggs.
Put
animals in a secure room during trick-or-treat time. Cats can quickly slip out the front door, and
dogs sometimes try to bite unsuspecting kids, thinking that they're intruders.
For everyone's safety, it's best to keep animals inside a bedroom or family
room, away from all the commotion.
Don't take
dogs on trick-or-treating trips, when most kids are more interested in collecting candy than
watching the dog. Dogs can easily become frightened by the endless stream of
laughing and screaming children and run off or bite someone.
Keep bowls
of candy out of animals' reach, and make sure that kids know not to share their
goodies with four-legged friends. All candy (and wrappers!) can cause animals to become sick, and
chocolate, which contains an ingredient poisonous to dogs, can kill. A simple
cat or dog treat will make animals' Halloween great without making them sick.
Keep
curious noses and paws away from candles and party favors. Jack-o-lanterns lit up by candles are
appropriately spooky, but they can burn animals (and children) or start fires if
tipped over. The ink used in some brightly colored decorations, like orange
streamers and paper pumpkins, is toxic to animals, and swallowed balloons or
party favors can block an animal's digestive tract.
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Winter Safety for
Your Pet |
Cold weather can
be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget
that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as
they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of
time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. This can put their
pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your
animal warm and safe.
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Take your animals for a
winter check-up before winter kicks in. Your veterinarian can check to make
sure they don't have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable
to the cold.
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Keep your pets inside as much
as you can when the mercury drops. If you have to take them out, stay outside
with them. When you're cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you
absolutely must leave them outside for a significant length of time, make sure
they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding, and plenty of
non-frozen water. Try leaving out a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel so it
won't burn your pet's skin.
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Some animals can remain
outside safely longer in the winter than others. In some cases, it's just
common sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better in cold weather
than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds. Cats and small dogs that have to
wade shoulder-deep in the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals.
Your pet's health will also affect how long she can stay out. Conditions like
diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can
compromise a pet's ability to regulate her own body heat. Animals that are not
generally in good health shouldn't be exposed to winter weather for a long
period of time. Very young and very old animals are vulnerable to the cold as
well. Regardless of their health, though, no pets should stay outside for
unlimited amounts of time in freezing cold weather. If you have any questions
about how long your pet should be out this winter, ask your veterinarian.
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Cats will curl up against
almost anything to stay warm--including car engines. Cats caught in moving
engine parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your engine on,
check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on
the hood.
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If you live near a pond or
lake, be very cautious about letting your rambunctious dog off the leash.
Animals can easily fall through the ice, and it is very difficult for them to
escape on their own. If you must let your dogs loose near open water, stay
with them at all times.
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If you light a fire or plug
in a space heater to keep your home toasty warm, remember that the heat will
be as attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles up to the
warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact
with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves
or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger.
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Keep an eye on your pet's
water. Sometimes owners don't realize that a water bowl has frozen and their
pet can't get anything to drink. Animals that don't have access to clean,
unfrozen water are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters, which can
be polluted with oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other chemicals.
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Be particularly gentle with
elderly and arthritic pets during the winter. The cold can leave their joints
extremely stiff and tender, and they may become more awkward than usual. Stay
directly below these pets when they are climbing stairs or jumping onto
furniture; consider modifying their environment to make it easier for them to
get around. Make sure they have a thick, soft bed in a warm room for the
chilly nights. Also, watch stiff and arthritic pets if you walk them outside;
a bad slip on the ice could be very painful and cause a significant injury.
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Go ahead and put that sweater
on Princess, if she'll put up with it. It will help a little, but you can't
depend on it entirely to keep her warm. Pets lose most of their body heat from
the pads of their feet, their ears, and their respiratory tract. The best way
to guard your animals against the cold is keeping a close eye on them to make
sure they're comfortable.
When you're
outside with your pets during the winter, you can watch them for signs of
discomfort with the cold. If they whine, shiver, seem anxious, slow down or
stop moving, or start to look for warm places to burrow, they're saying they
want to get back someplace warm.
You can also
keep an eye out for two serious conditions caused by cold weather. The first
and less common of the two is frostbite. Frostbite happens when an animal's
(or a person's) body gets cold and pulls all the blood from the extremities to
the center of the body to stay warm.
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The animal's ears, paws, or tail can
get cold enough that ice crystals can form in the tissue and damage it.
The tricky thing about frostbite is that it's not immediately obvious. The
tissue doesn't show signs of the damage to it for several days.
If you
suspect your pet may have frostbite, bring her into a warm environment right
away. You can soak her extremities in warm water for about 20 minutes to
melt the ice crystals and restore circulation. It's important that you don't
rub the frostbitten tissue, however--the ice crystals can do a lot of damage
to the tissue. Once your pet is warm, wrap her up in some blankets and take
her to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian can assess the damage and treat
your pet for pain or infection if necessary.
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Thanksgiving With Your
Pet |
Ahhh, the aroma of a fresh, mouthwatering, roasting turkey in the oven, Mom's
cornbread stuffing cooling on the counter, sweet, spicy pumpkin pie tempting
your
passions. But don't forget the happy, little
furry-feet, following your every move!
Yep, its Thanksgiving! A time to be thankful for all we have,
for those around us we love, including our canine friends. Many people share the
family feast with their dog in an offering of thanks and love.
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While
this is an innocent and seemingly gracious and loving gesture, the truth is,
it's more loving not to share your holiday meals with your dog. While it may
seem that a little bit of turkey skin here and a little bit of stuffing
there wouldn't hurt, we know how quickly the pounds can add up over the
holiday season. The same rules that apply to us apply to our pets. A diet
high in fat and being overweight is very unhealthy for them.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, severe and
frequent vomiting, diarrhea that may contain blood, reluctance to walk,
weakness, pain, crying, restlessness, irritability, or refusing to eat. Many
people know their dog is sick, but may be confused as to whether or not it's
serious because of a lack of symptoms or symptoms being vague and mild.
Make sure your pet has no access to any food left on the counters or tables
when no one is around. After you're done cleaning up the kitchen, make sure
you take the garbage out, and dispose of it in a secure place where no pets
can get into it. Even the best behaved, well trained pets may be too tempted
with turkey bones, the string that tied the turkey legs together, and what
little of what was left of Mom's stuffing in the trash.
Other Holiday Food Dangers Besides
table scraps being dangerous to your pets because of the high-fat in some of
them, there are still other reasons to not share your holiday feast with
pets. Cooked turkey, duck, geese and other bird bones are dangerous to your
pet. They are hollow and break and splinter easily. Also, because they are
so easily breakable, dogs usually won't chew them thoroughly. The results
are sharp pieces that can choke the dog or block, tear the intestines. A pet
that has a bone or fragment of one lodged in his intestine may not even show
symptoms for a few days. When they do occur they may include loss of
appetite, depression, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sometimes the bone will pass by
itself; other times it may need to be surgically removed. So make sure all
leftovers and throw away and out of your pets' reach.
Chocolate and your dog Yet another
danger to dogs is chocolate. It contains a xanthine compound called
theobromine. Theobromine is highest in dark chocolate, but even milk
chocolate contains theobromine. Chocolate can be fatal to your dog! Bowls of
candy, or pieces dropped by guests or children, may go unnoticed by you for
hours, but pose a real risk to your pets.
Bloat is a medical emergency! One last
word of caution on holiday meals and your pet is "bloat." Bloat is a gastric
condition that can be deadly and is an EMERGENCY for you and your dog. Bloat
is most commonly caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach. This gas
can extend the stomach causing gastric dilation. If the stomach partially
rotates it is called gastric torsion. If it fully rotates its called gastric
volvolus. Each can be a life threatening problem. Usually, large, deep-chested
dogs are the victims, but it has occurred in some smaller breeds and puppies
that have been allowed to eat too fast. While the causes of bloat are
varied, gulping of food and water, a common behavior at excitable times when
yummy treats are given and then exercise, such as the excitability and
playfulness a lot of pets experience during busy times like holidays and
family gatherings, may be a serious threat to a lot of pets. Bloat is a
deadly condition that gives you a very limited amount of time to act.
Symptoms include abdominal distention, salivating, retching, restlessness,
depression, lethargy, anorexia, weakness, or a rapid heart rate. Any of
these symptoms, even if mild at first, should IMMEDIATELY be attended to by
your vet. The stages and manifestations of this condition can happen rapidly
once started, so no time should be wasted in seeking advice and care, even
if there is a little doubt. Things to avoid are not allowing your pet to
overeat, even his own food. Instead of 1 or 2 large meals a day, try 3 or 4
smaller ones. Do not feed your pet at high excitability times, or when he's
nervous, such as when you have a house full of company. Many dogs will gulp
down their food as a "defense" to keep these "strange intruders" out of it.
Calm your dog and feed him at quiet times of the day. Do not allow vigorous
exercise before or after your pet has eaten.
Be
careful with your pets this holiday season, and be truly thankful for them
by keeping them healthy!
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Dental Disease in
Dogs and Cats |
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Just as people's teeth can, pets may
be affected by a variety of dental diseases if their teeth are not given regular
attention. While cavities tend to occur more infrequently in pets, dental
diseases can cause bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, and loose teeth. These
problems can lead to your pet having difficulty eating, as well as causing them
severe pain.
Causes of Dental Disease in Pets
Over time, your pet's teeth and gums become coated in a thin layer of material
from food particles, dead cells and saliva. As this layer thickens, it becomes a
breeding ground for bacteria that cause dental diseases. If the layers are left
undisturbed for a long period of time, your pet may eventually develop diseases
such as gingivitis (inflammation and infection) and periodontitis, in which the
deep tissue of the gums become infected. In extreme cases, periodontal infection
may spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs.
Veterinary Services for your Pet's Teeth
Make a point of asking your veterinarian to check your pet's teeth each time you
visit. They should check for potential problems such as plaque deposits and
gingivitis, as well as swelling, and broken or loose teeth. If your vet notices
any serious problems they may recommend an X-ray for a more thorough
investigation, or tooth extraction, or treatment for gum disease.
Brushing your Pet's Teeth at Home
The most effective way to prevent development of dental diseases is by cleaning
your pet's teeth at regular intervals. This is also the best way of fighting
‘dog breath', as almost all cases of bad breath in pets are caused by gum
diseases that are the result of infection or plaque build-up.
Cleaning your pet's teeth is much easier if you start while they are young.
Between three and twelve months is an ideal time to start. If you are starting
with an older pet, getting them used to having their teeth brushed will be more
difficult, and it may take a little longer before you can brush their teeth
successfully.
Whatever your pet's age, it's best to start the process slowly, so they can get
used to having their mouth and teeth handled closely. Start out by holding your
pet in a comfortable position that offers you easy access to the mouth. When
they're calm, lift their lips to look at the teeth. Hold the position for a few
seconds, then stop and give your pet a small treat, to encourage them to behave
well when you're handling their mouth.
Once you and your pet are comfortable with this process, you can attempt
brushing their teeth. For this you will need a special pet tooth brush as well
as tooth paste that has been made for animal use. Human tooth paste should not
be used for pets, as it is harmful when swallowed, and as cats and dogs cannot
spit, they will be unable to prevent themselves from swallowing the paste.
Animal tooth pastes are available in flavors such as beef and chicken, so your
pets will find these much more palatable, too.
The next step is to brush your pet's teeth. Again, find a comfortable
position-if your pet is large, they'll usually be most comfortable on the floor,
whereas a puppy or small pet can be held in your lap. Start by lifting your
pet's lips, and then brush the teeth using circular motions. Be sure to brush at
the gum line, and pay particular attention to your pet's molars, as these areas
are the most vulnerable to dental diseases.
For the first few brushes, your pet will likely not want to sit still while you
brush all their teeth. It's best to start out by brushing just two or three
teeth the first few times you brush, and then gradually increase the number of
teeth you brush over each session. Give your pet a small treat after each
brushing, to reinforce their good behavior, and aim to brush their teeth at
least twice a week.
Protect your Pet's Teeth with the Right Diet
Dental diseases are more likely to occur in your pets if their diets solely
consist of soft foods, because these foods are more likely to leave deposits at
the base of the pet's teeth. Regular brushing is important, but so too is
feeding your pet foods that will not lead to the development of deposits that
allow bacteria to thrive.
Make soft foods such as meats a treat for your pets, rather than their regular
diet. Instead, feed them mostly on dry food-remember to provide them with plenty
of water-and give your dogs uncooked bones or chew toys. These are ideal for
pets, because they have rough surfaces that help to remove built-up food
deposits.
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