Fireworks and Noise...

Its that time of year again...BBQ's, pool parties (for people not in Portland) and Fireworks!!!

In can be tough for some of our furry friends, so remember to plan ahead.  If your pet becomes anxious or is sensitive to the usual celebration, please don't wait until the last minute, give us a call and we can help you decide on the best option. 

In the mean time, read through this blog to learn of some great techniques our staff has tried that can actually work to help lessen the stress...

Please, please make sure your pet is microchipped and the information is current. This can make all the difference in a safe return.

Check out the Noise Phobia Page on the HEAC website

Top 10 to keep your pet safe on the 4th (adapted from Tails of the City: http://blog.sfgate.com/pets/):

 

1. Create a safe haven: Even if your friend’s Fourth of July party is dog-friendly, it’s always safer and less stressful (for you and your pet) to leave them behind. Keep cats and dogs safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof part of your house with plenty of fresh water. Consider leaving a TV or radio on to mask the sound of the fireworks and to provide familiar noises while you’re out.

2. Tire ‘em out: If you have a dog that you know fears fireworks and loud noises, Wag’N Enterprises founder, Ines de Pablo recommends exercising and feeding your pooch a few hours before the festivities begin so she’s dog tired and can more easily relax.

3. Keep pets out of hot cars: Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car during the day. Partially opened windows on hot days do not provide sufficient airflow and animals can quickly overheat, and potentially suffer from heat stroke. Leaving them in the car also puts them in jeopardy of being stolen. Also never leave animals tethered or chained outside. Pets can injure or even hang themselves if they try to jump or flee from unfamiliar noises.

4. Read labels: Don’t apply sunscreens or insect repellents to animals that are not labeled specifically for their use.

5. Decorate with care: If you are hosting a party, your pet may easily mistake your red, white and blue glow sticks as chew toys, while cats can become tangled in streamers and ribbon. Pet-proof your home and keep your Fourth decorations out of paw’s reach.

6. Beware of matches and lighter fluid: The ASPCA warns that certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing if ingested by your pet. Lighter fluid can be irritating to a pet’s skin, and, if swallowed, can cause gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression.

7. Store fireworks in a pet-free zone: Exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns or trauma trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, but even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

8. Don’t feed the animals: Never give pets BBQ scraps and ask other revelers to refrain from feeding your animal(s) as well. Some human foods — including alcohol, cooked bones, onions, avocado, grapes and raisins — can be toxic to pets, or at the very least can cause severe stomach upset.

9. Label your pet: Every 4th of July, San Francisco Animal Care & Control takes in lost animals frightened by the bright lights and loud noises of fireworks. Make sure your pets wear identification at all times and are microchipped with your updated contact information.

10. Be prepared: Have a basic pet first aid kit on hand and know the location and hours of the nearest emergency pet hospital just in case. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

10 Cost Cutting Ways to Save Money at the Vet:

1.      Good Nutrition
As humans we know that the quality of our health is directly tied to proper nutrition and the same is true for pets. Spend a little more for healthier food, treats and supplements and reap the reward of longer, healthier lives for your pets.

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2.      Regular Exercise & Healthy Weight
This one builds on good nutrition. Make sure pets have adequate opportunity for exercise to help them stay at a healthy weight and avoid expensive weight-related complications (diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc.).

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3.      Puppy and kitten proof your home.
 An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so make sure that your pet’s home environment is safe for puppies and dogs of any age. Begin at the source by cutting your dog or cat off from any potential hazards. Pick up any small objects, put away cleaning supplies and other toxic chemicals, and secure loose cords and wires. Fences/safety gates also help keep pets out of trouble.

4.   Good Home Dental Care

Brushing your pets teeth goes far beyond a pearly white smile. Good dental care prevents expensive cleanings or worse–the devastating and costly medical complications caused by poor oral health.  A dental cleaning with extractions and oral surgery can sometimes cost up to $1000.00!

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5.      Grooming
Nail trims and keeping your pet’s coat shorter can help prevent injuries and infection that could end up costing you more in the long run. Some of these you can do from home (which save you money) but even letting the professionals help you out when you need it will help your pet stay safe and healthy.

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6.      Regular Wellness Exams
Do you know the saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” This is true with pets as well. Preventative medicine allows your pet a regular examination for lumps, bumps, heart and lung issues and any intestinal problems that can occur. Trust us, the cost of this exam is well worth the savings if it can provide early detection and avoids major issues down the road.

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7.      Vaccinations
This one is a no-brainer:  make sure your pets have the right vaccines on schedule to prevent a host of dangerous and costly diseases and medical conditions.

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8.      Leashes/Microchips
It’s extremely important to make sure pets are safely contained when not in the home. Make sure your pet is microchipped and the information is up to date, as collars and tags can fall off! There is a potential your pet can get away from you and lost, stolen, hit by a vehicle, get into altercations with other animals and otherwise hurt. A microchip or a $10 leash or pet carrier could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical bills, stress and loss.

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9.      Parasite Prevention
Know what’s more expensive than flea and tick prevention? Having your home fumigated after a flea infestation. Ditto for treating Lyme disease and disgusting internal worms.

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10.       Spaying/Neutering

Who doesn’t need to wake up 12 kittens in the laundry room? You don’t! Making sure your pet is spayed or neutered ensures they won’t bring home any expensive surprises–or contribute to the homeless pet population.  Spaying and neutering also can completely prevent several health conditions such as testicular cancer and pyometra.  Bob Barker was right.

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Remember, a proactive approach to pet care and taking steps early to treat and prevent disease will save you huge amounts of money….and possible heart-ache as well.

Top 7 Pet Gardening Dangers

It's gardening season again!  Hopefully the rain will stay away long enough to get outside and get the yard in order...  Gardening with a pet, be it your dog friend helping you dig a hole or your cat chasing something tossed across the yard, can be rewarding.  But please remember to keep things safe!

Read on for the top 7 pet gardening dangers

Later, check out these 20 Tips For Gardening With Dogs to learn how to get you doggie to be a better gardening partner (mine just sleeps in the dirt).

1) Cocoa Mulch
Cocoa mulch is made from the shell of the cocoa bean and contains ingredients that can be deadly to pets if ingested. Like chocolate (also poison to dogs), cocoa mulch contains theobromine and caffeine and can cause serious stomach issues or even seizures if ingested.  The mulch, sold in garden supply stores, has a chocolate scent that is appetizing to some animals, especially curious young puppies.
  
  
2) Fertilizers and Herbicides
Before applying a chemical to your lawn or in your yard, consider whether natural, organic or chemical-free remedies such as those described by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality might be just as effective for your intended use.

• Store all fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides in their original packaging and away from pets.
• Be sure to read labels before application; over application can lead to excess residue.
• Cover or remove outdoor food bowls, water dishes, pet toys and bird baths before any chemical application.

Do not let your pets in the yard while applying chemicals. Wait until chemicals have dried and even up to four days after application before allowing a pet into the area. Pets who lick their paws after walking on treated areas can be poisoned.   

Always check with the manufacturer and read package directions before applying any product in an area frequented by pets. 

3) Rat Poison  

Bromethalin rodenticide toxicity, more commonly referred to as rat poisoning, occurs when a dog becomes exposed to the chemical bromethalin, a toxic substance that is found in a variety of rat and mice poisons. Ingestion of bromethalin can lead to an increased pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid within the membrane of the skull that the brain essentially floats in) and cerebral edema (the accumulation of excess water in the brain). A variety of neurological-based symptoms can result from this, including muscle tremors, seizures, and impaired movement.  Dogs or cats may also be targets of secondary poisoning if they eat rats or mice that have ingested the poison themselves.

Please, just don’t use this stuff.  There are effective alternatives and there should be no reason to endanger your pets to rid your home of rodents…

 

4) Insecticides and Pesticides
These products tend to be more toxic to pets than fertilizers and herbicides, so be even more cautious with them.  Ingestion of any amount of insecticide or pesticide should be considered an emergency, please seek treatment immediately.

• Store all insecticides and pesticides in their original packaging and away from pets. The National Pesticide Information Center (800-858-7378) can help you make informed decisions about pesticide use.
  
  
  
• The most dangerous forms of pesticides include: slug and snail bait (containing metaldehyde), fly bait (containing methomyl), systemic insecticides (containing disyston or disulfoton), mole or gopher bait (containing zinc phosphide), and most forms of rat poisons. 
• Store all insecticides and pesticides in their original packaging and away from pets at all times.
• Dogs can be attracted to slug bait that contains metaldehyde. Signs of poisoning include tremors, seizures, shaking, vomiting, hyper-salivation, rapid heart rate, and abdominal pain. If your pet ingests slug bait, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  
  
  

Natural alternatives to insecticides and pesticides include:

• Diatomaceous Earth: This is made from fossilized remains of one-celled algae. It feels like talcum powder, but scratches and absorbs the wax layer on a bug's surface, leaving it to die from dehydration.
  
  
  
• Fermenting Liquid: Set out shallow containers of yeast, water and spoiled yogurt or beer, and bury the container flush with the soil surface. Slugs love the scent of yeast. 

·         Sluggo – I use a product called Sluggo.  This slug bait is iron-based and kills slugs well (I have a year-round garden that turns into a slug smorgasbord when the rains come).  I have been very happy with this product as my dog will try to eat it sometimes and he’s still around…and I’d hate to waste the beer.

5) Flea and Tick Control Products
A common cause of pet poisoning in the summer months is improper use or application of flea and tick control products. Use such products responsibly and according to package instructions. Overuse and misuse can be deadly.


Never apply 45-65% permethrin "spot-on" products to cats, even in small amounts. Highly concentrated permethrin can be extremely toxic to cats.
If you have both dogs and cats in your household, you should be aware that using a permethrin "spot-on" product on a dog may cause illness or death in a household cat.

Never use flea medications intended for a dog on a cat instead. It is important to use only flea and tick products specifically designed for cats, and to administer the proper dosage.
All flea and tick "spot-on" products, even ones with nearly identical brand names, are not alike. Check the label to identify the active ingredient before you apply it.

 

6) Poisonous Plants
Ingestion of even small amounts of certain plants (for example, rhododendron or azalea, oleander, lily, or yew) can be harmful or fatal to a pet. Please check out our lists of Toxic and Non-Toxic plants (complete with photos and description) at our website.

Symptoms of plant poisoning include:

• Irritation to skin and/or mouth
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting (Please note that vomiting is common after cats or dogs ingest plant material. Please contact us especially if vomiting accompanies other symptoms.) 

7) Compost
You're doing the right thing for your garden and the environment—keep composting! Food and garden waste make excellent additions to garden soil, but depending on what you're tossing in the compost bin, they can also pose problems for our pets. Coffee, moldy food and certain types of fruit and vegetables are toxic to dogs and cats, so read up on people foods to avoid feeding your pet.  Many dogs can’t resist the smell of rotting plant matter (of course you don’t throw meat, breads or bones in, right?  Is that why you need the rat bait?!) and will readily eat that stuff making themselves very sick.  Cover the pile or fence it off and you shouldn’t have a problem.

Have a great spring!