Le Bone Appetit: Pet Alert Archive

Pet News Archive

ASPCA Guide to a Pet-Safe Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans if dangerous foods, flora and other items are kept out of paws' reach. Each year our poison control experts see a rise in cases around February 14, many involving chocolate and lilies, a flower that's potentially fatal to cats. So please heed our experts' advice—don't leave the goodies lying around on Lover's Day.

Pet-Safe Bouquets
Many pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Use our online toxic and nontoxic plant libraries as visual guides of what and what not should be in your bouquets.

Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate, including baker's, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates, methylxanthines—caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function— can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don't leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.

Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large enough amount is ingested.

Life Is Sweet
So don't let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don't let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. "It's all too easy for pets to step on thorns that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.

Playing with Fire
It's nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.

Wrap it Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and "fun-to-chew" items can get lodged in your pet's throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.

The Furry Gift of Life?
Giving a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine's Day gift—however, returning a pet you hadn't planned on is anything but romantic. Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a pet for someone else doesn't always turn out right. Those living in the Manhattan area can let their loved one choose their own cat with a gift certificate to adopt from the ASPCA. If you're not from New York, check your local animal care facility or take a romantic trip to the shelter together.

Best wishes for a safe and happy Valentine's Day!

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET IN AN EMERGENCY

Your pet loves you. Be a responsible pet owner in an emergency.
Just as you should prepare emergency kits for your family, you should prepare a pet survival kit for your animal. Your family emergency plan should include provisions for your pet.

CREATE A PET EMERGENCY KIT

Your pet's emergency kit should include:

Pet first-aid kit
Dry food or canned food – enough for 2 weeks
Feeding dishes
Muzzle, leash or harness
Water
Color photos of your pet for identification purposes
Blanket/sheet
Your pet's medication and medical records in a waterproof container, along with vaccination records & any licenses
Manual can opener
Pet carrier with contact information/feeding & medical schedule
Disposable litter trays/plastic bags for pick-up
Flashlight
Disposable latex gloves
Prescriptions & enough medication if needed for 2 weeks
Minimal grooming supplies if needed

Courtesy of Westchester Animal Response Team

SPECIAL ALERT: DANGERS IN YOUR GARDEN

Whether bringing your pet to a bed and breakfast or resort that has its own garden (or just beginning your own spring
gardening), be careful when you’re letting your pet "smell the roses."

Always watch for groundskeepers spraying pesticides or other materials. Let your pets on to the treated area only after sprays have dried—or even the next day, suggested the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, based in Marietta, Georgia. Dry granular pesticides being used? Wait until the dust has settled to let your pet roam.

Beyond that, even some common plants are toxic to most animals, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, a Denver-based professional organization for veterinarians. The organization suggests keeping your pets away from several plants, including:

* Avocado
Fatal to birds, this plant's leaves, seeds, stems and skin are considered a cardiovascular toxin. It also can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Amaryllis
A showy flower, whether striped or solid white. Yet, its bulb is considered a gastrointestinal and neurological toxin.

* Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
These pretty, petite flowers are considered very poisonous, not to mention a cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxin.

* Azalea
A lovely bush filled with flowers. Yet, it's a cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurological toxin for animals.

* Begonia
A pretty flower to people, but potentially fatal to pets. Can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Castor bean
A shrub-like plant with clustered seed pods, this African native is potentially fatal if chewed.

* Foxglove (Digitalis)
One of its nicknames—Dead Men's Bells—is a clue that this bell-shaped, tubular flower can be fatal.

* Hydrangea
A hardy, showy shade-loving flower, the plant contains cyanide.

* Jack-in-the-pulpit
Usually found in the woods, this flowering plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Lantana
Its clusters of tiny flowers attract butterflies, yet the plant can cause liver failure in pets.

* Lily of the valley
Known for sweet-smelling flowers, yet potentially fatal to pets.

* Oleander
Its pastel flowers make it a popular bush, yet it's very poisonous and can be fatal to pets.

* Philodendron
Big, leafy, green and showy, this plant can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Poinsettia
The famous Christmas plant can bring on dermatitis in animals. It's also a gastrointestinal toxin.

* Rhubarb leaves
Can cause kidney or organ failure in animals.

* Rosary Pea
A slender vine with pea-shaped pods, this plant can be fatal if chewed.

* Scheffelera (a.k.a. umbrella plant)
This leafy green—and often indoor—plant can cause kidney or organ failure.

* Yew
A tree or ornamental plant with needle-like foliage, it is fatal to most animals.

Reprinted with permission from Takeyourpet.com

TO CRATE OR NOT TO CRATE
By celebrity dog trainer and behavior therapist Jody Rosengarten

Jody is the author of ROVER, DON'T ROLL OVER, A Compassionate Training Guide for Dogs and Their People, published by Ten Speed Press. She can also be contacted at: thebarkstopshere@aol.com

By now, I'm sure you know that Crate is just a euphemism for cage. Whatever it's called, I wouldn't raise a puppy without one. All puppies need a cozy space to call home when unsupervised. Clearly, this prevents them from having access to things they shouldn't chew and, because it is natural for dogs to leave their sleeping quarters to relieve themselves, crates expedite housebreaking.

Puppy-proofing a powder room or other small space could serve the same purpose. And this is fine. But I prefer a crate because it can be located where you are. So, if the crate is in the kitchen, den or bedroom, Pavlov can be included in the family's activities which will make transitioning out of the crate in that room easier. Relegating the puppy to the powder room means making time to hang out with him there.

And there's nothing wrong with having more than one crate. An overnight crate could be in a bedroom and a daytime, when no one's home crate, in the kitchen.

I prefer metal crates to the plastic travel ones. They're airier but can be cozied-up by throwing a blanket over part of it. If floor space is limited, make a fashion statement by throwing designer fabric over the cage and call it an end table.

Select a crate large enough for Pavlov to grow into. If it's too big though, the puppy may sleep in one end and relieve himself in the other, thereby defeating its purpose. This can be remedied by temporarily making the crate smaller by cordoning off part of it with a divider.

Good luck!

Jody Rosengarten
The Bark Stops Here
(203) 372-BARK

ADOPT A MILITARY DOG

For those of you who are looking to find the perfect pet for your family...

Try a Military Working Dog! The idea of supporting the troops should apply to all veterans, not just the human ones.

They are TRAINED (MWD's have more than $75,000 in education)
Have more commands than you will ever need to know.
Protective!
Great behavioral around Kids and other pets!
Home security
And loyal and loving!

Even though they are no longer on military patrols and sniffing for drugs (Hint Hint... great for your local police department), they can be anything but retired. Other than just family pets... they can visit hospitals, including the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital near you (just an idea) or homes for the elderly. Think about how wonderful they would be as a certified therapy dog.
Please do not hesitate to contact if you have questions, concerns or need assistance in the process.
info@militaryworkingdogadoptions.com

They do not claim to be experts, however, will be happy to share anything on the subject of Retiring Military Working Dog Adoptions (MWD) learned from their own personal research and personal adoption experience.

Please realize that TIME IS CRITICAL!! From the moment a MWD is declared "excess" the dog has probably LESS than FOUR MONTHS until ADOPTION or the inevitable... EUTHANASIA and NECROPSY! The DOD (Department Of Defense) is doing the best it can to place these fabulous MWDs. It is up to us to help.

We will forever be grateful for the opportunity to adopt our MWD! Won't YOU be part of the solution that gives the hope of a HAPPY EVER AFTER home to one of America's noble, faithful, deserving Military Working Dogs???

Please, if nothing else just look at their website and see about the Retiring MWD Adoption process. I myself wish to help "make a difference" for these truly UNSUNG HERO DOGS which have defended our freedoms, as well as the lives of our soldiers, for their entire working lives. So just go take a look at their website.
Even if it's not for you, it might be great for someone you love!

Thank you! Ron Lester

COMMON ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER CAUSE OF RECENT DEATHS IN DOGS

A new threat to our pets' lives has just come to light, dramatically and tragically. A pack of Trident bubble gum, containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol, was recently eaten by a 70 pound Labrador in perfect health. The dog died a horrible rapid death from liver failure within one week.

There have been eight published reports of liver failure in dogs from Xylitol-containing products, although the most common problem caused by Xylitol is seizures brought on by a rapid onset of low blood sugars. This effect can be caused by as little as two sticks of gum in 30 minutes in a 20 pound dog. The only effective treatment is rapid decontamination and supportive care which can only be done in an animal hospital.

This danger is so recently discovered that Animal Poison Control has yet to determine the exact reason behind the liver failure nor the exact dosages needed. Complicating matters is the fact that the exact amount of this artificial sweetener contained in varying products is considered a proprietary secret by the manufacturers—which means that Animal Poison Control calculations are best guess extrapolations.

Products that contain Xylitol are sugarless gums, toothpastes, mints, boxed dessert mixes, pancake syrups, and vitamins to name just a few. Dog owners should exercise extreme care with food storage and read product labels carefully.

Contributed by Dr. Patricia Hart, Southport Veterinary Center, Southport, CT