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| Pease start to suspect Lepto in any animal with vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, increased or decreased urinations, increased drinking, icterus or weight loss. Check kidney values first, then send off Lepto titers as soon as possible. We strongly recommend these cases be referred for 24 hours fluid therapy to try and prevent anuric renal failure. This is a zoonotic disease so titers are important. If titers are positive, we recommend that clients contact their physician. Clinical signs in people are very vague: headache, nausea, lethargy, body aches. With correct and timely treatment, Lepto is easily controlled. We also encourage you to contact the Health Department as they are tracking these cases. |
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| ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Antifreeze Safety Tips · Always clean up antifreeze spills immediately. · Check your car regularly for leaks.· Always store antifreeze containers in clearly marked sealed containers and in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. · Never allow your pets to have access to the area when you are draining radiator fluid from your car. · Propylene glycol containing products are relatively less toxic form of antifreeze and should be used instead of conventional ethylene glycol antifreeze. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze or engine coolant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 immediately! |
| Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine". It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens. Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate- especially dark or baker's chocolate-which is toxic to dogs. Cacao bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine,a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine. |
| FOR PET’S SAKE BUCKLE UP!
Loose pets in the vehicle pose multiple threats to themselves and other passengers. In the event of a vehicle crash an unrestrained animal can become seriously injured as well as injure other vehicle occupants. · In a 30 mph crash, a 20 lb. dog requires 600 lbs. of force to keep it restrained, it would be impossible for an owner to properly restrain a pet on his/her lap · A driver, distracted by a loose pet, is more likely to be involved in a crash · An unrestrained pet is at risk of falling out of open windows in a moving vehicle, and is at risk of escaping at rest stops when car doors are opened · The best way to ensure the safety of your pet is to secure it in a seatbelt harness Seatbelt harnesses can be purchased at local pet stores. Most harnesses have leash attachments and can be used outside of the car to walk your dog. There are several different styles of seatbelt harnesses offered and it is important to find one that best fits your dog. · All harnesses should have an attachment for the seatbelt to be buckled through · The harness should fit snugly enough that your dog cannot get out of it Ideally, pets should be buckled in the back seat of a vehicle and not placed in front of an air bag. Air bags were not designed to be used for pets and can inflict life threatening injuries to pets when inflated. · If a vehicle has no back seat, move the passenger seat as far back as possible from the air bag to reduce the risk of injury · Air bags are designed to be supplemental protection for passengers restrained in a lap/shoulder belt Seatbelt tips… · Bring your dog with you to buy the seatbelt harness in order to find a perfect fit · Consider buying a locking clip to hold the lap and shoulder belt together and help prevent your dog from becoming tangled · For multiple dogs, write their names on their harnesses, to always put the right harness on the right dog Training your dog to use a seatbelt harness: Most dogs are easily trained to accept the use of the seatbelt harness. · It is best to introduce the seatbelt harness to a puppy and be consistent with its use for every car trip · Adult dogs can also be taught to behave while being buckled in the car · Start by getting your dog used to wearing the new harness around the house and on walks · Practice placing your dog in the back seat of the car · After mastering wearing the harness and sitting in the back seat, you can take the next step and buckle him in · Do a few trial runs in the driveway first · For your first trip you should call upon a friend to sit with your dog in the back seat as you drive, your friend can help reassure your dog and prevent him from initially becoming tangled in the seatbelt · Be sure to reward your dog with praise and small treats for good behavior · With practice and consistency your dog will quickly master being buckled in while traveling More travel tips…. · Travel with fresh, cool water and a bowl · Wait at least 30 minutes after feeding a large meal before traveling to avoid car sickness · Bring only soft, plush toys in the car for your pet; hard toys can be dangerous in a crash · Always attach a leash to your dog’s harness before unbuckling him from the car · Never leave your dog unattended in a car on a hot day · Make hotel reservations in advance when traveling with pets · Don’t let your pet stick its head out the window, dirt and debris can get into their eyes Other restraint options… · Cats are best restrained in pet carriers · Pet carriers should be placed in the back seat and secured with a seatbelt · Animals inside carriers are not restrained and can therefore still suffer injuries by being thrown around in a carrier during a crash · Pet barriers used in the back of SUVs or hatchback vehicles do keep pets from distracting drivers, but they do not provide restraint in the event of a crash |
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