Pet safety in storm damaged areas and humid vacation climates

In some areas of the US, we hear and know very little about leptospirosis. Vets in dry climates may not even include it in the vaccinations. You should make that decision with your vet based on the risk and the health of your pets. However, situations can change and may require a change in your pet's healthcare.

Floods and storms can cause risks that are not normal for your area. The same thing can happen when you travel to areas that have very different climates from your home. For example, my vet told me that a friend of his in Florida vaccinates his dog for leptospirosis every six months. Yet, in Arizona, leptospirosis (lepto) is not a standard part of any of the combination vaccines.

The reasoning here is sound. There is a risk with any vaccine, and most of us no longer view vaccinations with a more is better attitude. On the other hand, that makes it even more important to talk your vet before embarking on any type of trip to an area that has suffered heavy rains and flooding or has a very wet climate and lots of water. It also means that handlers of rescue dogs need to confer with vets about the areas where there dogs may be used.

What most of us don't realize is that people can get this disease too. That's right! So click on the link to the article and read about the disease, symptoms, and possible sources of exposure. Although the article is from India, it applies to the same situations in any area with similar conditions.

Have a purr-fectly pawsitive day!

Help our country's soldiers and their dogs

Do you have an extra spot in your home and your heart? Do you want to help your country? Do you want to help a soldier? Do you wonder what you could do that's meaningful? Well, maybe you could become a Guardian Angel.

Check out this wonderful program that helps keep our soldiers from having to give their dogs up permanently when they get deployed.

• Maybe you can keep a family together by providing a temporary home for a soldier's dog.
• Maybe you can prevent the heartbreak they both face when a dog is given to a shelter and an unknown fate after years in a warm, loving home.
• Maybe you can be the person to send the soldier on his mission secure in the knowledge that his or her faithful friend is loved and protected.

If you can't help, maybe you know someone who can. You can help just by spreading the word about this wonderful program. It's a great way to keep the homefires burning.

Share some pawsitive love!

Let's talk about holidays, travel, and pet safety

With the fourth of July weekend just around the corner, many readers will head out of town with the family. That makes this a great time to remind everyone to plan and pack for the four-legged family members too. Good planning will make your trip safe and happy for all.

The particular weekend requires a little extra care. Many places will have fireworks and loud celebrations that are frightening to small children and pets. If pets are not properly confined inside, they may become lost and/or injured in their terror to escape the noise. This is not a time when a fence is adequate protection. More dogs are lost and escape on this holiday than on any other. A frightened dog may go through, over, or under a fence that would normally confine them without a problem. In addition, there have been incidents of animals being stolen and tortured when left alone in the yard. Just having a neighbor check on them or feed them is not enough. Be sure your neighbor will be there and is willing to make sure the animals are inside and safe until the next morning.

If you plan to travel, be sure you have restraints for every passenger. Check out the article below to get more information about how a bit of planning could save your pet's life in an emergency.

http://www.wxii12.com/automotive/16601316/detail.html

Of course, pets require most of the same considerations we make for children. Protection from heat, sun, bugs, and more. Review the articles below for some quick reminders and excellent tips.

http://www.ioanthem.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=1

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19666917/

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/271797/3/

Keep everyone safe and have a happy, healthy holiday.

Our animals and kids are paying for our lifestyle

A wonderful and thorough new study has been released. If you want to understand the impacts of the chemicals we use on the lives of every living creature, read this study.

In the first study of its kind, Environmental Working Group found that American pets are polluted with even higher levels of many of the same synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently found in people, including newborns. Click on the title above to read the entire report.

I'm very much in favor of living green and reducing our footprint in every way possible, and I know how hard that can be. I know how difficult it is to find choices. I understand how hard it is to relearn what we've been taught. I also know many people perceive it as an expensive choice when it comes to buying new paint and other items that are more costly than the "traditional" formulas.

Today's families are inundated with information, long work hours, family needs and a shortage of time, can easily find it easier to use the most convenient methods and products. After all, the effects are cumulative and take time to show up. So it's easier to ignore the facts than it is when something is immediate and obvious, such as a tree falling on our house in a storm.

The reality is that these products are not traditional, except for to people born in the last couple of generations. Before these new chemicals and manufacturing processes, milk paint, plant dyes, and natural fabrics were the norm.

There's more and more evidence that we have to make tough choices. Even if we change now, we'll be paying the price for many years for the damage that has already been done. If you are motivated to start trying to make changes, search my blog for more green information and visit my website to link to the radio show about living green with pets.

Think pawsitive and work for a purr-fectly green world! Our bodies, our children, and our pets will thank you.

http://www.ewg.org/reports/pets

More Pet Food Problems To Worry Pet Owners

I know the I've been sick song is getting old. It is for me too. Unfortunately, it really is the reason the blog has been stalled. This darn virus really got me. It turned into a couple of secondary infections and I was down a solid three weeks. The fourth week, I finally started to feel human again, even though I haven't quit coughing yet. I know other people who have had this bug too and it's been rough. I hope most of you are feeling better and ready to enjoy the holiday next weekend.

The information about Petco and the FDA concerns with the conditions in their warehouses has made the news. It's also been posted on many pet blogs and in newsletters. However, I'm still going to briefly give my readers a heads-up because if even one pet that suffers because someone didn't get the message is one too many. I'm not going to repeat the entire article. Here's the link to the article.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/19/america/Petco-Lawsuit.php

Want to learn more about what's going on and what you can do? Michael W. Fox, DVM, has a book that will be out soon and he's one of my personal favorites. My biggest problem is that some of his older books are getting hard to find, but their advice is still so timely I like to recommend them to my customers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/06/18/DI2008061801844.html

Have a pawsitively purr-fect weekend.

Garden hazards

First of all, I apologize to readers who expect regular postings from me. I have been very ill with a virus that turned into severe bronchitis. It's been over two weeks since I woke up with a 103+ fever. I'm finally off the antibiotics, but I still occasionally run a low grade fever and have an annoying cough and tender throat. I'm only beginning to function again. This has been a nasty virus. Now, let's talk about gardening.

Spring and summer are often the most active gardening seasons. In addition, more and more people are making efforts to lower food bills by adding vegetable gardens to their yard. Children and pets love to help in the garden, but it's up to you to be sure they stay safe. Gardening offers many benefits and a number of hazards.

The benefits are that it's good exercise and a great way to spend family time together. Kids learn to understand everything from how plants grow to mathematics to weather by spending time in a garden. Also, young gardeners are often more willing to try new foods when it comes from "their" garden. Just like pets, kids are curious and there are hazards in that wonderful soil.

Many plants that are edible to people are toxic to pets, such as onions, garlic, flower bulbs, and more. Tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family and their foliage is very toxic to pets and people. It's easy to get leaves on toys and into the mouth of a pet or child. Even natural garden treatment products may be toxic to certain species. For example, the citrus products used for bugs and ants are toxic to cats that lick it off of their feet. Mulches made from eucalyptus may be very toxic when ingested and again, most animals clean themselves by licking after they've been outside. Children may forget to wash their hands after playing outside, and they may transfer these toxins to their mouths after picking up toys that landed in the foliage of a plant or on the ground in a garden area.

Take time to check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what gardeners or lawn services use in your gardens too. If you live in an area where lawn maintenance is provided, ask your landlord or association for detailed information about the products and chemicals that are used where your pets and children play.

One recent notice posted to several forums and blogs. It concerns the toxicity of cocoa mulch.

• The mulch had NO warnings printed on the label. However, upon further investigation on the company's website, there is a statement that this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees. However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it." It doesn't say where they obtained this statistic. Cocoa Mulch is sold by Home Depot and other garden supply stores. It, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine". The same ingredient that makes chocolate toxic to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate, and it attracts kids and pets. Several pet deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Cocoa 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. Of course, there is also a safety question if a child ingests the shells of the beans and potential bacterias and molds that may grow in mulch. We don't need a product that smells like candy to encourage them. I've seen them eat mud!

Many gardeners are surprised to learn that some very common plants are highly toxic to children and pets. Some of these plants are sago palms, oleanders, castor beans, and azaleas. Certain plants also have very small seeds that can easily stick to toys, paws, or fingers, so it can be very difficult to determine the cause of the problem if a pet or child becomes ill. Even cinnamon, another seemingly innocent product, is highly toxic to cats.

If you have a question, check the ASPCA poison control site. They have links to the most common toxic plants and information about what to do in an emergency. They also list some non-toxic plants you may want to consider using, if you are changing your landscape. A couple more good reference sources are listed below.

http://www.vspn.org/library/misc/vspn_m01235.htm

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/

While it seems that there are a lot of dangerous plants, that doesn't mean you can't use any of them. Just consider where they will be placed and take appropriate measures to be sure they are not in an area where children and pets play, or where squirrels and wildlife will spread toxic seeds and bulbs into the play areas. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian or call the closest veterinary school in your area for more information.

This knowledge may create extra work. It may even entirely change your garden plans, but it's a lot cheaper and less painful than enduring the expense of a medical emergency and the heartache of making changes after a tragedy.

Have a pawsitively purr-fect day and enjoy your garden.

Decision and choices when you lose your pet

Earlier this week, I promised to post an article about the choices you must make immediately after your pet dies. This is a time when you can't think straight, much less feel like making decisions, but there are some decisions that can't wait.

So today, we'll talk about pre-planning to ease your stress. Some of the choices may be dictated by cost, as well as preference. Today, I'm just going to talk about what's possible. You have to decide what your circumstances allow.

The first choice you must make is whether to cremate your pet or take the body home for burial. This decision will be affected by your local laws. Most urban areas have laws that prohibit burying an animal in your backyard, and you should check the laws if you really want to have a burial on your property. Also, think about whether you may move some day. If you do, will it be important to you to have your pets remains with you? Either situation may mean that cremation is the only option, unless you have a pet cemetery nearby and plan to remain in that area for life.

Cremation is offered in two forms. You must decide whether you want the ashes returned or not. It is generally cheapest to select a mass cremation (other animals cremated at the same time) and not have the ashes returned. Many pet parents on limited budgets are fine with keeping a collar or tags and photos in a memory box. However, you can also choose an individual cremation with the ashes returned to you. Each vet's office handles this a bit differently. Some return the ashes in lovely urns that don't require anything further, unless you want to do more. Other places return the ashes in a cardboard box ready to be put in an urn or scattered in a favorite location. Ask your vet to explain their procedure before you face a decision.

Another possibility is to have a small portion of the ashes put in a lovely piece of jewelry, such as a silver paw on a neck chain. Everything from stuff animals that contain the ashes and are made to hug to diamonds made from the ashes is available. There are many choices for any budget. That's one reason to plan ahead. Most people find they want to do different things for different animals because they all have different personalities. Also, styles and options change over the years.

If you want keepsake jewelry with ashes inside, you must decide ahead of time. Once the body is buried or cremated in a mass cremation, you no longer have this option. If you have the ashes returned and want them transferred to a custom urn, most veterinarians will gladly do this for you. If you opt to have a diamond made or to have ashes swirled through glass, you may have to ship all, or part, of the ashes to whoever makes that product. It's also possible your vet or the crematorium may ship them for you. So ask, if you need help or information. They understand that you may not feel comfortable handling your pets ashes yourself. It's a very emotional time.

It's terribly difficult to lose any member of our family and making decisions unexpectedly, while you are under great stress, may result in a decision you'll regret. The experience of thinking through and planning for difficult experiences is often helpful and therapeutic too.

• Try to evaluate your budget.
• Do a bit of online shopping ahead of time to see what's available that you like.
• Ask your vet what options he or she offers and the costs.
• Write down your choices and file them away in a folder with your pet's medical records.

You don't want to lose your pet, but you'll feel better knowing you are prepared. Check the resources on my Grieving and Loss Resources page for a few products and ideas.

How to decide if you are ready for a pet

The article I read that is linked to the title reminded me that many people want a new pet after they graduate from college, get their first job, lose a pet, or have children leave home. Our lifestyles and work hours are more demanding than ever before, so there are many things to consider.

A key point in this article is that students may have always had a pet at home, but they may not have had the total responsibility and the expenses of food and regular veterinary care. In addition, a young mobile person may not have a stable lifestyle that allows them to commit to caring for a pet for the rest of the pet's life, which may be anywhere from 2 years to 20+ years depending on the species they choose.

Long work hours are another problem. There is a saying in some industries "55 to survive". It means the workers are expected to put in 55 hours a week just to keep their jobs. Then, there is also the problem of job instability and potential layoffs. Hundreds of pets are losing their homes and their lives in shelters because the owners lost their homes and jobs. It's important to have a backup plan for the pet's long-term care if you anticipate military service, heavy travel, or other significant changes that may affect your ability to care for a pet. Pets are living, feeling beings. They area not disposable. They deserve a caregiver that is committed to them for the rest of their life.

Here are some of the key questions to answer.

1. Are you ready to make a commitment to be responsible for another life for years, even if it means making compromises in your lifestyle when they need medical care or time that interferes with your social life or job choices?

2. Are you financially prepared? Have you researched the cost of food, shelter, average annual veterinary care, and other expenses such as a pet walker or day care if you work long hours and can't get home during the day? Dogs can't sit in an apartment or crate alone for 12 hours a day. It's cruel to expect them not to have to go potty or have companionship day after day. They are a pack animal. So if this is your situation, consider an animal that is more active at night and sleeps during the day--like a hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, etc.

3. Do you have roommates or other pets that must be considered? If you get a cat and your spouse or roommate is allergic, that will be a disaster for both of you--not to mention the dissension it will cause in the relationship. If there are others in your life, they must be included in this decision. If you have children, don't expect that they will be the primary caregiver no matter what they say. Animals are not an experiment or responsibility teaching too. Plant a garden instead. You must also know that an adult will be present and have time to supervise animal and child interaction for the safety of both. If you aren't willing to do so, don't get a pet.

There are more specific questions and ideas for various species and living situations. There is also a fun video link about preparing for pets on my website.

Helping people choose pets and make decisions about their readiness and the type of pet that suits their lifestyle is one of the things I do almost daily in my business. I can do it online as well as in person, and I love to help people make a successful match. If we discover a person isn't ready for such a huge commitment, that's OK. If we find a lovely pocket pet with a shorter life expectancy than 20 years, that's wonderful. I've saved a life either way.

Service Animal Discrimination

As I check news stories involving pets and pet health, I've seen a couple of stories about people with service animals experiencing discrimination. The reasons and location vary. However, the problem seems to come up regularly. The question is whether the cause is ignorance of the law, unwillingness to comply with the law, or a conflict with religious beliefs-- as one person claimed. So I decided to read up on the problem and see what information was available.

There are several links below that lead to specific stories, resources, and laws. If you have an interest in this subject, check out my research and share your ideas.

My conclusion is that we have a lot more educating to do. I think we assume everyone knows the law and complies, but clearly that is not the case. Pet owners and people with service animal companions need to take every opportunity to educate others and set a good example. Beyond that, I believe education has to be a high priority in schools, businesses, and churches.

We need to educate people of all ages and faiths about service animals, special needs, and disabilities (human and animal). Children need to grow up understanding those who are different than themselves. Students need to learn about the valuable contributions people of all abilities make. Business owners need learn the laws and be proactive and supportive in their local communities. Places of worship need to help their populations find ways to respect these people and their equipment or service animals while still honoring their beliefs.

So what about the claim that the law asks a person to violate religious beliefs? That's a tough one. If we truly respect each other, we must honor all beliefs. We don't have to understand them. However, that goes both ways. Those with special needs have a right to expect the same respect for their needs. That means a person who is protected by ADA laws has a right to expect the help they deserve, and service personnel who have conflicts should be obligated to find a way to help. Those who are the recipients of that help must respect others beliefs too--even when it creates some inconvenience.

I'm well aware of the inconveniences people with special needs endure everyday, but that's not the fault of one service person of a different religious belief. It's also not the service person's obligation to make up for every difficulty their customer faces. On the other hand, living with the frustration caused by problems associated with having special needs doesn't give a person the right to behave like a tyrant. Everything is a two-way street, and we have to work together.

This is not an area that is unfamiliar to me. I have an autoimmune disease myself. I also worked in group homes with children and adults with developmental disabilities. During that time, I trained staff as well as teaching people with special needs. As a Pet Specialist, I see many people and animals with special needs. I also help people deal with the loss of their service companions, which is doubly traumatic, because this is their personal assistant too.

So tell me and the other readers your idea for helping solve these type of problems?

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/justice-department-settles-disability-discrimination-case-connecticut-landlord/

http://www.itchmo.com/blind-man-with-guide-dog-receives-2500-settlement-from-taxi-company-2303

http://www.animallaw.info/cases/causwa120p3d126.htm

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspetsandhousinglaws.htm

http://www.service-dog.org/

Pet Loss and Tough Decisions

I haven't posted during the past ten days because I've been absolutely numb from the loss of our Basset Hound, Molly. (Her picture is the one to the right of the blog, with her nose sticking through a cat hole.) Even when we know the time is right and the decision is a loving decision that will prevent terrible suffering, it isn't any easier to make the decision or to lose a member of our family. Molly was at least 14 years old. It's possible she was older. Our vet said she may have been the oldest Basset he's ever seen. So this week seems like the right time to talk about tough decisions.

The word euthanasia (youth-an-asia) means gentle death. If you aren't familiar with the term, it's often referred to as putting an animal to sleep or putting an animal down. I don't like either term because those words are frightening to children, who may begin to worry that they will also die when they go to sleep. See the connection? The pet "goes to sleep" and never wakes up. Worse yet, if you can't bury the pet at a family service, the body disappears to be cremated and is never seen again or is returned as ashes--which is the norm. Most cities have laws against backyard burial of animals, and many cities don't have pet cemeteries. It's very hard for children to deal with death and loss. The permanence of death is beyond understanding for very young children. They will ask when their pet will come back for a long time. Patience and gentle explanations are essential, and it can be hard to be patient when you are also grieving.

Some of you may not believe in euthanasia for any reason. Others may be unsure when and how to make a decision that will end the life of an animal you love. Most veterinarians counsel pet owners to base the decision on the pet's quality of life. That's good advice, but what does it really mean? A simple explanation is that the pet has more good days than bad. There are more days that they eat well, sleep and play appropriately for their age, and are comfortable and happy than that they have pain or suffer.

When I consult with clients who have pets that are elderly, chronically ill, or terminally ill, I use a checklist of items to evaluate on a regular basis. There are ten common items that constitute a basic quality of life assessment guide for almost any species. The items on this list are things such as pain, hydration, elimination, eating, sleeping, playing, fear, anxiety, and other things that affect an animal's quality of life. Of course, it varies a bit by species and the type of illness or disease. It also varies with the breed and the person's experience. Animals hide pain and illness as a survival trait. Some are more stoic than others. Some pet owners are also more observant and connected to their pet than others. And sometimes, I have to guide them through a few initial assessments to develop their confidence and guidelines that fit their situation.

This type of consult is best done in person, but I also do them by phone and email because I've found many vets don't have time to discuss these situations as thoroughly as their clients need to to really understand and feel comfortable with their decisions. For first-time pet owners or caregivers forced to make this decision for the first time, it's very important to truly feel comfortable making such a huge decision. There's enough grief and pain without adding self-doubt or second guessing your decision. I have no doubt we did the right thing for Molly, but I still have a huge hole in my heart and my life.

We made the decision to choose euthanasia because we knew Molly's age and health limited further treatment. She had a spleen mass that was growing and made her chronically slightly anemic, lypomas that were too numerous and huge for further surgical intervention, pressure on her heart from fat accumulating in her chest, and a tumor in the urinary tract canal that was 99.9% sure to be cancer. The urinary tract tumor would have blocked her elimination causing tremendous pain and kidney failure within a short time. She had an ultrasound six weeks ago and that tumor was not visible, which gave us an idea how fast it was growing. In addition, her appetite was inconsistent (for a basset hound this is serious indeed). Plus, she'd collapsed and been taken to the vet on a stretcher a week the previous week.

This is not a decision we take lightly. After her collapse and our emergency trip to the vet, we immediately ordered another ultrasound and spent a total of almost four hours with two vets over the course of the final week, before making a decision. Her behavior during that week clearly told us she had discomfort most of the time now. Molly was arthritic, anemic, and had many allergies. She was also on pain medication and steroids already. In addition, the spleen mass had grown more during the past six weeks than during the past year. Everything seemed to become critical at one time.

We could have added more pain meds. But due to her already weakened kidneys, that may only have hastened the kidney failure and the subsequent decision. We also considered the fact that she was not a dog that expressed her discomfort. So we knew her pain was probably more severe than it seemed.

My husband said it well. He said, "This was our warning that it's time." I agreed that we were lucky to find out that things had taken a turn for the worst before it was a crisis. Most veterinary emergency clinics are wonderful, and they do great work. However, it's not my idea of a happy ending to be in a busy crisis clinic, with a strange vet, at midnight some night, with Molly in terrible pain and scared further by an unfamilar situation. Sometimes there is no choice. When there is a choice, a peaceful ending with the family present and the attention of a caring doctor and staff is truly better.

We prefer to do euthanasia at home with the other animals around. It is our experience that this helps them adjust much better than just having one of their own disappear. However, that's not always an option--as in this situation. Because of her health problems our vet suggested that it would be safer to do it at the clinic. We have a very good relationship with our vet and respect his opinion. So we went to the clinic.

The title above links to the Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement. They have excellent resources for anyone who is grieving. They also offer an Anticipatory Bereavement Chat Room for those who know their pet is terminally ill or who are sharing their final days with their pet. I highly recommend this resource. If you want more resources or a list of books, check my website under resources.

Later this week, I'll talk about the choices and options for aftercare and grieving. I'll also be teaching a class on helping children deal with pet loss. It will be held on July 27 in Austin, Texas. Let me know if you want more information or want me to put your name on the list to contact you about my classes.

This is dog bite prevention week

As a licensed presenter of the Doggone Safe dog bite prevention educational programs for children, I want to share some fun and educational activities for children.

Doggone Safe is pleased to announce the availability of interactive games and a story narrated by beloved children's puppet character Diggity Dog to help teach kids important lessons about staying safe around dogs. The games and story are the creation of Lisa LeLeu of Lisa LeLeu Studios. After her son was severely injured as a result of a dog attack, LeLeu created the interactive computer games and a story for her popular Diggity Dog puppet character to help prevent other children from experiencing the ongoing trauma from a dog attack.

"After Benjamin's attack, we wanted to do something to help prevent other families from going through what we went through and so we created these web resources. We are really pleased to be able to team up with Doggone Safe to spread the word".

The Diggity Dog story and interactive games can be accessed through the website: http://www.getdog smart.com.

If you have a pet or child related website, you can add this link to provide this fun and educational resource for your visitors too.

Remember to check out and pass on other free resources for dog bite prevention week.

Click in the link to view and download the Dog Bite Prevention Week Resources.

Have a pawsitively purr-fect day!