A Thanksgiving Warning

My two Miniature Dachshunds (better known in our house as mini weenies or teeny weenies) are quite the beggars. If a human has food, Bill and Bailey should have some, too. Dogs are royalty, after all. Bill loves peanut butter, cheese, and almonds. Bailey will tremble for peanut butter, cheese, and Cheerios.

Bailey is pretty good about self-regulating her food intake. If she’s not hungry, she won’t eat. Unless you have peanut butter, cheese, or Cheerios, she may not even beg for your food. She’s dainty and eats slowly, piece by piece. Her little mouth can only handle so much scrumptiousness at one time.

Bill is an obnoxious beggar. He’ll jump, scratch, and talk. Bill loves food. Bill snarfs his treats after barely chewing them. This inhalation process contributes to foul smelling problems—we’ll just say his rear end is a bit out of tune. Then there are the “pukies” every once in awhile.

At least neither of them will eat what they don’t like.

You probably wonder why I’m indulging you in the wonders of my precious pooches’ digestive activities. Well, in light of my family’s love for slipping table scraps to the faces with eyes-bigger-than-the-head-oh-so-cute! and the approach of the table-scrap holiday, I find it only fit to extend the warning to all families with food-loving animals.

Do not feed the animals.

Nursing your own overstuffed, stretched out belly will be enough for one night, the last thing you’ll need to do is nurse a heaving hound as well. Let the dog nurse you back to health (or cat, or guinea pig, or whatever pet with which you live…).

Not to mention, there are herbs and spices used in our Thanksgiving cooking that are not approved for pet consumption (according to the ASPCA, sage can upset a dog’s stomach and mess with its nervous system).

I’m thinking of sticking notes on the backs of the weenies reading “Do Not Feed Me, My Slobber is Toxic”.

So, proceed with caution and have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

—Jill Brodsky

Grapes are No Good!

Just a friendly reminder from the ASPCA’s website: grapes and their lovely wrinkled relative, the raisin, are highly toxic to dogs. A recent case of puppy-meets-raisin-bread-loaf lead the Sigalls to call the ASPCA’s poison control hotline. They were directed to take the little pooch to the vet clinic quickly where Winnie, the puppy-victim, was forced to vomit and was given fluids. Winnie was very lucky to have such responsive parents. When caught soon enough, a dog that has eaten grapes or raisins can be helped just like Winnie. It’s always safest, however, to keep toxic foods and chemicals away from your pets reach.

This time of year we need to be extra cautious, particularly with several holidays around the corner. Halloween candy and costumes can be dangerous for our pets, as well. Candy in any amount can make a pet sick; especially chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Don’t forget, a wrapper barrier protects candy until it is time to eat it, but Fido and Fifi don’t have opposable thumbs to undo the tinfoil and cellophane, which might end up in their digestive systems instead. Make sure your costume and your pets’ costumes are pet safe. If you are going to dress your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume is comfortable and enjoyable for your pet. More tips for a Happy Halloween can be found here. If you suspect that your pet has eaten something dangerous, call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and rush him or her to the vet as soon as possible. —Jill Brodsky

Worldwide awareness day highlights rabies

Sunday Sept. 28 was World Rabies Day! But it’s not too late to brush up on your rabies knowledge and make sure you and your pets are safe.

Remember to keep your pet up-to-date on his or her rabies vaccination for both of your safety.

Rabies is 100% preventable by vaccination.

It is a disease that attacks the nervous system and is passed through saliva and the bloodstream.

Only mammals can get rabies.

There are approximately 7,000 cases of rabies reported in the USA every year.

Cats are less likely to be vaccinated than dogs and more likely to be allowed to roam free. Be careful when approaching a loose cat.

More than 55,000 people die each year from rabies around the world.

This year there is a limited supply of human rabies vaccines.

Almost all rabies deaths in the USA are connected to bat bites, but only a small percent of bats have rabies.

Help Control Rabies by:
-Vaccinating your pets
-Always watching your pets outside
-Keeping away from wild animals and reporting any that are behaving abnormally
-Bat-proof your property

Pets with Rabies:
-Fearful and aggressive
-Trouble Walking
-Seizures
-Excessive drooling
-Difficulty swallowing

*Dogs with rabies may not show outward signs at all. Wildlife with rabies is harder to detect than pets with rabies.

Information Courtesy:
WorldRabiesDay.org
AVMA.org

—Jill Brodsky

Animal relief groups prepare for Ike

With Gustav gone, we can all take a deep breath and relax, right? Unfortunately, no. The southern states are being threatened by another storm, Ike. Hurricane Ike is predicted to be especially fierce and hit major parts of Texas such as Houston. Parts of the Florida Keys have already suffered minor flooding. Evacuation plans are already underway and these plans include our beloved pets.

Texas residents can call 2-1-1 for updates on shelter information for pets and livestock.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is also taking initiative and urging pet guardians to prepare pet disaster kits and make evacuation plans that include the pets. The HSUS is in communication with state agencies and will aid with evacuations, post-storm assessments, and search and rescue if necessary. Equipment is ready and waiting in Bushnell, FL with over 600 volunteers on call.

For information on what a pet disaster kit should include and information on evacuating large animals, visit HSUS.org

For a free safety pack courtesy of the ASPCA visit ASPCA.org

—Jill Brodsky

Dog gets tongue stuck in toy, must be amputated

There’s nothing worse than an animal in pain, especially when that pain is inflicted by something that’s supposed to bring your pet joy—his toy.

The pimple ball Chai got his tongue stuck in

Chai, a 10-year-old Lab mix, was playing with a Four Paws pimple ball with bell, when his tongue got stuck in the hole in the ball. He had to be taken to the vet to have the ball removed because his tongue was so swollen. Eventually his tongue had to be amputated, making it very difficult for him to eat and drink.

Chai with his swollen tongue, before it was amputated

Chai’s parent documented the poor dog’s story on a blog. (Warning, there are some graphic photos). You can watch videos of Chai adjusting to eating and drinking without a tongue as well as find out more information about boycotting the company.