Officials in Oregon are reporting the nation's first instance of a cat dying of the H1N1 virus.
According to a disturbing report on OregonLive.com, earlier this month a 10-year old cat was brought to a clinic with shallow breathing and a very high temperature. The symptoms worsened and the cat died on Nov. 7.
This is the third documented case of swine flu in cats. The other two, in Iowa and Utah, recovered.
A new study suggest that pointing at things just doesn't work with puppies.
Discovery News reports that dogs less than 21 weeks old just don't human pointing gestures. So the mistake on the carpet you're jumpiing around sticking your finger angrily toward? Nothing. The brand new toy across the room? Nope.
The results of the study, conducted at the University of Florida on German Shepherds, Collies, Daschunds and pointers, are consistent with findings in other animals.
Picture of sweet sleepy puppy courtesy of Richard Stowey's photostream on Flickr.
San Francisco has become the first major city in the nation to outlaw the declawing of cats, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Some pet owners declaw their felines to protect themselves, or their furniture, from scratches. But pet advocates condemn the practice as animal cruelty.
“It is well-documented and well-understood from a medical prospective that [declawing] is torture. It is a form of animal cruelty,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who introduced the legislation.
Other California cities are considering adopting similar bans. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on whether to enact a ban by the end of the year.
Earlier this week Unleashed told you about the first documented case of H1N1, the Swine Flu, in a cat.
The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1.
The New York Times offers some more details -- and some of them, I'll admit, I like cause they're cute -- about the infected kitty.
Though the cat's owner are keeping a low profile, the doctor who treated the kitty offered some details. For instance, the famous anonymous cat is a 16-pound orange tabby who's 13-years old. And here is the best part, the cat is described at "large framed but not chubby."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif.
The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets.
The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel.
Continue reading "FDA: Dog treats tainted with Salmonella" »
A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, state officials confirmed this morning, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza.
The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. The cat is a 13-year-old male.
Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets.
The other day I was walking Teddy Bean and revealed The Bean's latest hobby to someone at the park.
"I can't believe I'm actually going to say this cause it's so disgusting," I began, "But I have cats and...."
Before I could finish the sentence, she did: "And he eats the cat poo?"
Sigh. Yes. I think Teddy Bean has developed a taste for the litter box.
While watching TV this weekend, I heard a rustling in the box. Leo was to my right, Pumpkin dozing to the left. I lifted the dome and there was The Bean, kicking gravel with abandon.
Continue reading "Forbidden love: Teddy Bean and the litter box" »
More than 40,000 family pets die every year in house fires, according to Protection One, Inc., a national home security company with offices in Baltimore.
The company has launched a public service project focused on saving the lives of pets. They are providing FREE pet safety decals that alert firefighters that a pets are living in a home. People stick the decals onto a front door or window where they can be easily noticed in case of an emergency.
Pet owners can get a decal online here.
Most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout.
Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.
Tammy Parks, 52, of Amherst, Mass., has taken a pet first aid class and wouldn't hesitate to help her 15-year-old mixed breed terriers, Lucy and Julia, or her white fronted Amazon parrot Koko.
"It's not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans," said Parks, who was an American Red Cross first aid trainer. "Size is the biggest difference."
In general, though, the poll found few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies. Just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.
Continue reading "What would you do for a hurt pet?" »
Unleashed is part of a coalition of pet sites working together today to inform people about pet safety. It's the Pet 'Net Safety Event, and for our part, we're taking a look at how to keep your dog safe at a dog park. We've got advice from Cheryl S. Smith, author of Visiting the Dog Park.
Smith says the keys to safety in dog parks are awareness, basic tra
ining, and compromise.
"You need to be aware of your own dog's personality -- some dogs simply aren't good candidates for dog parks," says, adding that dog-aggressive dogs shoud not visit dog parks, but neither should very shy, uncertain dogs or dogs who like other dogs but play very rough.
Basic training is needed to be able to extract your dog from any dicey situations, she says. She recommends people not leash up their dog in the park, saying, "Being on leash can change a dog's behavior (some dogs become dog-aggressive if they are on leash and other dogs are free) and it can bring the trouble directly to you if something bad happens."
Continue reading "How to have fun, stay safe at the dog park" »
Here's some great news for all of us who can't bear the thought of parting one day from our furry ones.
According to this story in the New York Daily News (apparently re-purposed from MSNBC), the average pet is living as long as 15.
“Just as the average life expectancy for people keeps reaching closer to the century mark, we’ll continue to see the same parallels in our pet population,” said Martha Smith, director of veterinary services at Boston’s Animal Rescue League.
How long your pet lives can vary with breed though. Small to medium-sized pooches live longer than larger dogs. Toy dogs stick around for the longest time, while giant breeds like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and Irish wolfhounds have the shortest life span.
In general, cats outlive dogs, with many indoor ones living long enough to celebrate their 20th birthday. Siamese and Abyssinians live the longest.
Pictured above is the remarkable Mookie, who just this week, began experiencing his 23rd October. Mookie lives in Baltimore County and was featured earlier this year in Collared. Go Mook go!
The website Cleanhomeideas.com would like to remind folks that even though 15 percent of the population suffers from allergies, the sniffles and sneezing don't necessarily have to prevent anyone from having a dog.
They (and the American Kennel Club) say these are the best breeds for allergy sufferers:
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Fox Terrier
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Poodle (any size) -- like Teddy Bean!
Portuguese Water Dog -- like Bo Obama!
Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Continue reading "The best dog breeds for allergy sufferers" »
The U.K. always thinks of all the good stuff first.
The country's animal advocate, PDSA, has come up with the Pet Fit Club, a kind of "Biggest Loser" contest to whip oversize dogs and cats into shape while drawing national attention to the dangers of animal obesity.
Socrates, the long-haired kitty pictured, weighed 22 pounds at the beginning of the contest, thanks largely to a diet heavy on cheese and onion crisps. His target is to be less than half the kitty he started as -- or about 9 pounds. He's five years old and belongs to Bill Duncan.
Socs has 100 days to reach his target goal. He's on prescription diet food, and, according to Duncan, doesn't much care for the portions. Go Socs!
Check out Socrates progress in this story.
Cheer on the other contestants here.
(Photo courtesy People's Dispensary for Sick Animals).
On Monday I went to observe an emergency preparedness drill for Baltimore County. What made it special is that for the first time in the state, officials were rehearsing opening a shelter that people and pets could share together. After Hurricane Katrina, it was clear that state and local governments needed an emergency plan to handle animals -- officials estimate as many as 600,000 pets died or were lost in the Gulf Coast storm and its aftermath. What makes this option pretty great for people with pets, is that you wouldn't have to leave your pets in the middle of a disaster -- you could be in the same building and able to check in on them. So much more peace of mind....
Here's a video Sun photographer Algerina Perna put together at the site, Eastern Technical High School in Essex:
Pets on Wheels, a not for profit volunteer group that coordinates volunteers to bring animals to institutions for visits is having it's annual Dog-a-Thon. For instance, this Saturday while the event is happening, some dogs from the group will be at the Pratt central library on Cathedral Street in Baltimore at 2 p.m., for a literacy program where they'll be read to by children. Very cute.
To walk at the Dog-a-Thon, just register your dog online, maybe get some folks to sponsor you and help the group raise money. Whoever raises the most money will win a portrait of their pet by Carl Woerner of Pencil Works Studio.
In addition to the walk around the Cockeysville park, there will be various demos, contests and vendors. There will be items up for raffle, a silent auction, food and a disc jockey. Events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Continue reading "Dog-a-thon this weekend at Oregon Ridge" »
Interesting piece from the Chicago Tribune, previewing an animal rights/free speech issue that the Supreme Court is expected to tackle next month:
A tiny white kitten squeals in pain as a flame from a lighter burns his fur. Another terrified kitten cries in agony as it is crushed by a woman's spiked heel. Another video clip shows pit bull dogs viciously ripping into the neck of a trapped pig.
The Supreme Court has often said freedom of speech includes ugly and foul speech, but this fall, the justices will be looking at some of these video clips to decide whether selling films of dog fights or the torture of helpless animals is protected from prosecution under the First Amendment.
The dispute, due to be heard in October, has driven a wedge between traditional free-speech advocates and the defenders of humane treatment of animals.
What do you think? Read the rest of the story here. Here's the New York Times' take on the issue.
Photo of sweet kitty from Katie Tegtmeyer's photostream on Flickr.
All pet owners should glance through this new website -- it could save your dog or cat's life...or at least save you some money at the vet....
HealthyStuff.org, a new site that compiles the results of hundreds of consumer products tests, lists, in addition to many other things, information about pet toys.
The site tested more than 400 products, including beds, toys, collars and leashes. Disturbingly, many of them contained toxic substances. They found collars and dog beds with high levels of lead, a flowered puppy collar with a lot of cadmium and a squeak toy for cats with too much lead -- among other things.
They also list a number of products -- things by Kong and Nylabone, for instance -- that passed the tests with flying colors.
A beagle steals a hazardous pet toy from a display during a news conference at the Central Vermont Humane Society in Barre, Vt., on Wednesday. The Vermont Public Interest Research Group and the Central Vermont Humane Society announced the launch of a new Website that shows which consumer products – including those for your pet – contain potentially dangerous toxic chemicals. AP Photo/Toby Talbot.
Who can resist this face?
Join Lexie, a rescued Maltese from Hampstead as she and other dogs meet Friday in D.C. for the Canine Cancer Caucus.
The event is designed to raise awareness of the disease in dogs and to memorialize pets lost to cancer.
Lexie, by the way, a 10-year-old rescued Maltese, was diagnosed with a malignant mammary in February.
Walkers should meet at Lady Bird Johnson park at 10 a.m. Organizers hope the event will set a record for the longest dog march.
The event is organized by Luke Robinson, who is walking his two dogs more than 2,000 miles to raise awarness of canine cancer. More information is available here.
Photo of Lexie courtesy of John and Bekye Eckert.
Dog bites account for a third of all homeowners liability claims, according to an insurance organization.
The Insurance Information Institute says that bites cost more than $387 million a year in 2008, up more than 8 percent from 2007.
Perhaps even more shockingly, the average dog bite costs $24,461, the group says.
“The rise in dog bite claims over the course of the past five years can be attributable to the increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards which have risen well above inflation in recent years,” Loretta Worters, the organization's vice president, said in a release.
Diane Krieger with her dog Cotton, a small little dog who has such a bad problem with biting people that he even flunked training with the dog whisperer, so she is having his canine teeth filed down to stop the biting. Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times.
The city's new Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force is inviting the public to its third meeting on Wednesday night.
The meeting will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Coldspring Lane.
Mayor Sheila Dixon announced in July the creation of the task force, a group that includes representatives from city offices, the police, the states attorney’s office, animal welfare organizations and city residents.
The task force has been charged with assessing the effectiveness of Baltimore’s cruelty laws and brainstorming ways to raise awareness of animal abuse. They’ll also consider ways city agencies and animal advocates can better coordinate their efforts.
The task force will issue recommendations to the mayor.
Continue reading "Public invited to animal abuse task force meeting" »
Dogs: The new miracle diet.
Though it seems like more than common sense, researchers at Cornell are deducing that dogs that walk more have better bodies -- and that their humans who are walking them might, too.
According to this tidbit in USA Today, researchers are trying to figure out if walking the dog helps owners shed and keep off unwanted pounds. An early look at the data shows that the dogs who walk the most steps have a better body condition score, according to researcher Barbour Warren.
Warren and colleagues say they are analyzing the data on the humans now, including attitudes about decisions to walk the dogs or not walk the dogs. Conclusions could be fodder for pamphlets or posters in vet offices. Both canines and humans in the study wore pedometers.
Wonder how many calories people burn while waiting for their dogs to sniff weeds....
Check out the full story, here.
Fluffy work-out dog courtesy of MShade's photostream on Flickr.
As I told you earlier this morning, Teddy Bean is not feeling so hot today. He had a really bad night last night -- he was all kinds of sick. Repeatedly.
This is him on the sofa a few minutes ago. It pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?
Uh.oh. Dogs in Fairfax County, Va, have come down with canine flu. And though it is a whole state away, it's probably a good idea for Maryland dog owners to be aware.
The Washington Post reports that on Friday officials confirmed at least six cases of the H3N8 virus -- the first the state has seen.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter was shut down its kennel last week, quarantining about 26 dogs with suspected symptoms, the Post said.
Humans can't get this but it's very contagious among dogs. People can, however, spread the disease to dogs if they come in contact with infected ones.
Liz Kay, part of the team that handles the Sun's Consuming Interests blog, pointed out this story in Smart Money: 10 Things Veterinarians Won't Tell You. Some of this you might already know, but it's helpful information to have in the back of your mind as consider a trip to the vet.
Here are a few of the most useful points:
1. “Good thing you love Sparky like a son. His care could cost as much.”
These days veterinary medicine can be every bit as sophisticated as human health care — and the costs reflect it. From 2002 to 2006, the average cost of a veterinary visit for a dog rose from $172 to $219; for cats, from $133 to $172.
2. “Vaccinating your pet may do more harm than good.”
For years the primary reason for seeing a veterinarian was to get your pet vaccinated against a host of diseases. However, some veterinarians say they’re not only unnecessary but can actually be harmful in some cases. Plus, the immunity provided by some shots can last well beyond a year.
Continue reading "Things your vet won't tell you" »
USA Today reports some good pet news: Banfield, The Pet Hospital, the nation's largest network of animal hospitals and an affiliate of PetSmart, will no longer do tail docking, ear cropping or devocalization on dogs.
Devocalization, or de-barking, involves the full or partial removal of a dog's vocal chords to keep it from barking. Last year, the paper reports, the American Veterinary Medical Association passed a resolution opposing ear cropping and tail docking of dogs, "when done solely for cosmetic purposes," and encouraging the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.
"After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat, as well as the overall practice, to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures," Karen Faunt, vice president for medical quality advancement told USA Today. "It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether."
The hospitals will continue to carry out the surgeries on pets for which it is medically necessary.
Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Banfield is the nation's largest general veterinary practice, with more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians nationwide.
Photo of long, curled dog tail courtesy of Rob!'s photostream on Flickr.
A week ago I brought Teddy Bean back to the MDSPCA for the first time since I brought him home July Fourth weekend. He was due for some shots and Katie, the foster coordinator, wanted to check out his act, see if Teddy was ready for the bigtime: Adoption.
The pup got props for wearing his leash so comfortably, to say nothing of stylishly, but he blew the big test: embracing people.
His sentence: At least one more week with me.
But Sunday, I think it sort of happened. The Bean might have had the time of his life. Literally. (For those who haven't been following along, I'm fostering Teddy Bean, a wee rescue from a raided Pennsylvania puppy mill. To catch up on his story, click here.)
Meredith, mistress of the B-More Green blog, and owner of Dizzy, invited Teddy over for a playdate. He could not only mix it up with another dog, what he lives for, he could do it off-leash in her backyard.
From the second Teddy scrambled up Meredith's front steps to when he felt the first so-slobbery sign of Dizzy's affection to when I put his tired 10-pound self back in the car to head home, The Bean was in heaven. The way the two of them bounding around the house, the Bean's frazzled tail wagging along with Dizzy's big one...Huge.
Continue reading "Update on Teddy Bean, the foster... One Step Forward" »
A non-profit organization called B-More Dog is offering free dog behavior and handing classes.
The classes are for anyone with a dog they're having a hard time handling, says Erin Sullivan, president of B-More Dog. The classes, however, are ONLY for people. If you go, do not bring your dog.
The one-session classes, held at the Baltimore Rescue and Care Shelter, BARCS, are typically held on the last Sunday of the month. This month's class is at noon on Sunday July 26. It's expected to last about an hour.
The class will focus on ways people can detect behavioral clues in their dog's body language. Trainers will be available for a Q&A period.
"It's for people who really need help, people who are struggling with their dog and don't know what to do," Sullivan said.
There will be training discount coupons available to those who complete the class.
Sessions are also planned for August and September.
An interesting issue came up Sunday on the venerable Dining@Large blog. Elizabeth Large was discussing the shockingly high prices at the Baltimore Farmer's Market and someone chimed in to say she saw someone this weekend selling puppies -- Labradoodles -- at one of the stands.
DCDiva wrote: "I was pretty disturbed to see the flower people selling PUPPIES. IT IS A FARMER'S MARKET. It really disgusted me and I left their stand when I saw what they were doing. No need to support back-yard dog breeders."
Others chimed in too -- hotly on both sides.
DCDiva complained to Carole Simon, who organizes the city-run market, in an email she shared with Unleashed. She wrote:
"Instead of enjoying my shopping, I spent the entire time worrying about the welfare of these dogs. I do not know the vendor's name, but they sell flowers near the Breadery folks. Please follow up on this issue with the vendor. I do not want to see them selling puppies again, and I certainly will not ever patronize this stand."
Simon wrote back, appalled to hear the vendor was selling puppies, but vouching for the farmer, saying she'd been to the farm, seen the puppies and that they were being "treated like family." She said the farmer is a registered pedigree breeder.
So, what do you think of all this? Would you buy tomatoes from a guy that also sells Labradoodles?
Let's air it out.....
Photo of really nice looking tomatoes by Elizabeth Large.
This is about as disgusting as it gets.
According to the Denver Post, a guy let his dog die in a hot car while waiting with his girlfriend who was in the long line to audition for American Idol.
The small terrier died in the hot car, where Quincy Vanderbilt, 24, left the windows up on a day that reached 91 degrees, the paper reported.
The two got to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in the morning. By 2 p.m., the first time Vanderbilt bothered to check on the dog, the terrier was dead.
The guy got a misdemeanor summons for animal cruelty.
In case you need a primer on how to treat your dog or cat (or child, for that matter) in the summer heat, please, please click here.
About 500,000 pets are affected in some way by home fires each year. And the American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services want to do something to cut that number.
They declared Wednesday National Pet Fire Safety Day, a national day of awareness day to make pet owners aware of potential risks to pets in their houses.
Here are some tips:
Extinguish Open Flames - Pets are curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
Pet Proof the Home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs and loose wires.
Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
Keep Pets Near Entrances – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.Continue reading "Ways to save your pet's life in a fire" »
Our pet comrades at the LA Times report that teacup dogs, fashionable -- and at times seemingly an accessory for starlets, -- are now competitive. There's a hotly contested Guinness World Records title for smallest dog by height and smallest dog by length.
Scooter, above, is a 6-month-old Maltese whose owner, Cheryl McKnight of New Zealand, believes will one day hold the title of smallest dog -- heightwise. Scooter is just over 3 inches tall, measured from his feet to the top of his shoulder blade. Although he's still a puppy, McKnight says he hasn't grown at all since he was 2 months old, and she believes he won't grow any taller -- certainly no taller than the current recordholder, an American Chihuahua.
The record-holder, a Chihuahua named Heaven Sent Brandy, is fully grown and measures 6 inches long.
McKnight's sister breeds Maltese and gave Scooter to her as a gift. The tiny animal eats from an egg cup and apparently has his share of challenges as a result of his stature. "I can't take him for a walk or put a leash on him," McKnight told the New Zealand Herald.
Continue reading "Teacup dogs vie for title of world's smallest" »
It's true -- the kitties really are working you...
We may not be able to get cats to do much, but they can get us to do just what they want, according to a report published in the July 14th issue of Current Biology.
Crafty felines motivate people to fill their food dishes by sending a mixed signal: an urgent cry or meowing sound embedded within an otherwise pleasant purr. The result is a call that humans find annoyingly difficult to ignore.
"The embedding of a cry within a call that we normally associate with contentment is quite a subtle means of eliciting a response," said Karen McComb of the University of Sussex. "Solicitation purring is probably more acceptable to humans than overt meowing, which is likely to get cats ejected from the bedroom."
Continue reading "The cat's meow: There's more to it than you think" »
I'm not sure what to even say about this. Having heard grumbles at the July Fourth Pet Parade at Baltimore's American Visionary Arts Museum about people who used colored hair spray to "paint" an American flag onto their pug, this seems to leave that in the dust. With color that vivid, it's got to be hair dye on that little thing. Is this dog abuse or is it embarassing a dog to make him or her look like a bad birthday party clown or is it just a matter of taste? Let's discuss.
Stylists trim the hair of a poodle on July 11 at a pet dogs service shop in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. AP Photo.
In the wake of a spate of highly publicized cases of gruesome animal cruelty, Baltimore has created a task force to curb such crimes.
Mayor Sheila Dixon announced on Tuesday the creation of the Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force, a group including representatives from city offices, the police, the states attorney’s office, animal welfare organizations and city residents.
Over the course of a year, the task force will assess the effectiveness of Baltimore’s cruelty laws and brainstorm ways to raise awareness of animal abuse. They’ll also consider ways city agencies and animal advocates can better coordinate their efforts.
The task force will issue recommendations to the mayor.
“The protection and safety of animals in this city is an important concern,” Dixon said. “It’s imperative we treat this issue with the upmost importance.”
The first meeting will be at 6 p.m. July 15 at City Hall — though it won’t be open to the public. Task force chairwoman Caroline Griffin, an attorney who’s on the board of Baltimore’s Humane Society, said the public will, however, be welcome at some future meetings.
Meanwhile, Dixon is asking anyone who sees suspected animal abuse to call 311.
Continue reading "Task force to try to prevent another Phoenix" »
While Fourth of July revelers love the thrill and spectacle of a fireworks display, animal experts advise that the rocket's red glare might be too much for some dogs and cats.
We've got some advice for you, but first, for a story, the Sun is also looking for some people who'd be willing to talk to a reporter about how their pets react to fireworks. Comment to the blog and we'll get your information to the right person. Thanks in advance for sharing your tales of woe!
North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, these tips to help your pets have a better chance of enjoying Independence Day:
1. Never take your pets to a fireworks display:
Fireworks displays can be great fun, but not for your pets. The loud noises and bright lights can terrify an animal. Even the best-behaved dog may react with fear and try to flee from the scene, which could lead him into traffic or get him lost.
2. Give your pets a safe and quiet retreat:
Fourth of July festivities can frighten an animal, so it's important to provide a safe and quiet place to relax. Whether you secure a room of the house or blanketed crate, they should have someplace "den-like" in which to retreat. Draw the curtains to block out the lightshow, and try putting the TV or radio on at a low volume as a distraction or as company for them if you go out. Make sure to KEEP THEM INSIDE for their protection.
Continue reading "Fraidy cats (and pups) on the Fourth?" »
It's official: That pet IS going to be the death of you.
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that supposedly innocent dogs and cats are causing a lot of falls. Thousands of them, in fact.
The CDC crunched injury numbers logged from 2001 through 2006 and found 86,629 falls involved a dog or cat. The agency says falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the country.
* In most of the cases, 88 percent, it's fair to blame the dog. Most injuries also happened when dogs were involved.
* Females were twice as likely to be hurt than males.
Continue reading "Slip and fall? Blame the kitty" »
After all this talk of bird flu, it appears the dog's have a little something to worry about too --- especially those of the smooshed nose variety.
Check out this interesting New York Times story that talks about why certain breeds are more at-risk to get sick and also about the new flu vaccine that was just approved last week:
There is a new flu virus going around. It initially looked quite lethal, and caused panic. Now it is clear that it has killed relatively few victims — and many of those have underlying conditions. It is particularly dangerous to be the possessor of a pushed-in nose — that is, to be a Pekingese, a pug or a Shih-Tzu.
It is the H3N8 dog flu. The virus, scientists believe, jumped from horses to dogs at least five years ago, but it has never infected a human. Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that it had approved the first vaccine for it.
While fears of a flu pandemic among humans have shifted from the lethal H5N1 avian flu to the relatively mild H1N1 swine flu, the H3N8 canine flu has been a quiet undercurrent in the United States, rarely discussed except among veterinarians and dog owners in the few areas where it has struck hard: Florida, New York City’s northern suburbs, Philadelphia and Denver.
Continue reading "Pugs, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu at risk for dog flu" »
Americans love their pets even though the household critters can transmit as many as 30 different infectious diseases, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, the Los Angeles Times reports.
MRSA infections between dogs and cats and their owners are increasing, according to a review of pet-related human health problems published today in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. MRSA is an infection that has become more troublesome in recent years. It spreads easily through skin wounds and can be difficult to treat. Household pets are now considered a reservoir for MRSA, and skin infections in dogs and cats can be spread to humans through bites, said the author of the study, Dr. Richard Oehler of the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
Severe infections (MRSA as well as other germs) from cat and dog bites occur in about 20 percent of all bite injuries. These infections are thought to be caused by the bacteria carried by the pet as well as germs on human skin. Dog and cat bites cause about 1 percent of all emergency room visits each year. Bites to the hands, forearms, neck, and head have the most potential for serious infection.
"Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions," Oehler said. "Bite injuries are a major cause of injury in the USA and Europe each year, particularly in children."
Photo of big, sloppy doggie lick courtesy of Mikebaird's photostream on Flickr.
Late last month, pet food company Nutro announced a recall of dry cat food sold in the U.S. and 10 other countries. The company told consumers to return dry Nutro cat food with a "best if used by" date falling between May 12, 2010, and Aug. 22, 2010, to the store where it was purchased, citing an error from a premix supplier. Continue reading "Is Nutro ignoring complaints of sick cats?" »
The New York Times reports the Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its scrutiny of liquid flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats, warning pet owners that the treatments may have possibly fatal side effects.
The treatments are applied topically, usually between the animal’s shoulder blades. There have been no recalls of the products, and the agency said in May that there is no reason to avoid them, the Times reported.
The E.P.A. is investigating a large number of anecdotal reports involving both cats and dogs who received spot-on treatments and suffered problems like skin irritations, hair loss and tremors, according to agency spokesman Dale Kemery.
The agency now is evaluating all available data on the pesticides, including reports of adverse reactions, the clarity of the directions and label warnings, and the pre-market safety data submitted in support of the products, the paper reports.
In the meantime, Mr. Kemery told the Times that pet owners should read the directions on any veterinary medicine they use. “Don’t use dog products on cats and vice versa,” he added. “If you detect negative reactions, the vet is the first stop.”
Photo of fluffy dog and kitten courtesy of Flora's photostream on Flickr.
sent a health hazard to your pet. We have voluntarily withdrawn distribution of these specific products: 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the approval of the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs, The Oregonian reports.
The drug, Palladia, is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health. It is approved to treat mast-cell tumors in dogs, a type of cancer responsible for about 20 percent of canine skin tumors, according to the FDA.
While mast-cell tumors are often small, they can be a serious form of cancer in dogs. Some of these tumors are easily removed without further problems, while others can lead to life-threatening disease.
All cancer drugs now used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals by the FDA, although since 1994 it has been legal to prescribe certain drugs intended for humans to animals, the paper said.
Palladia works in two ways: by killing tumor cells and by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. In a clinical trial, Palladia shrank tumors significantly, compared with a placebo.
The most common side effects associated with Palladia are diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness and weight loss, the paper said.
Photo of dog courtesy of Repoort on Flickr.
There seems to be a glut of illegal turtles on the streets of Baltimore. Very tiny ones.
Baltimore police seized 28 young turtles this week from street vendors selling the animals as pets, a practice that poses health and legal risks, authorities say.
City police have seized 96 turtles in the past two weeks. Two men were arrested, one May 30 in the 100 block of N. Eutaw St. and the other Monday in the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Ave. They are being charged with attempting to sell an exotic animal and vending without a permit. They could face fines of up to $1,750 and one year in prison.
Maryland Department of Natural Res
ources Officer K. Michael Lathroum says most of the turtles are coming from turtle farms in Louisiana and Florida."
According to Lathroum, street vendors are able to purchase the turtles wholesale for about 50 cents each, and usually end up selling them for $10 to $15 each. The turtles measure about 1½ inches in length, making it easy for vendors to have a large number of them at a time.
Although it is illegal in Maryland to possess a turtle whose shell is less than 4 inches wide, there continues to be a thriving market for the small, red-eared sliders such as the ones the police seized.
People who buy them as pets may not realize that the turtles can grow to be up to 1 foot long and that they pose the risk of spreading salmonella to children.
Continue reading "Illegal pet turtles being sold on streets" »
A company and its owners have agreed to plead guilty in connection with melamine-tainted pet food that may have killed thousands of dogs and cats in 2007.
An attorney for Stephen S. Miller, co-owner of ChemNutra Inc., said his client had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and would plead guilty plea at a hearing June 16, the Associated Press reported this week.
Miller's wife, Sally Miller, and Las Vegas-based ChemNutra also plan to plead guilty.
The Millers and ChemNutra, along with two Chinese companies, were indicted in February 2008 on charges alleging they imported wheat gluten tainted with the chemical melamine, which was then sold to pet food makers. Thousands of cats and dogs reportedly sickened or died after eating the tainted food.
ChemNutra, which imports ingredients from China to the U.S. for the feed and food industries, and the Millers were charged with 13 misdemeanor counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, 13 misdemeanor counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce and one felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Prosecutors said adding the melamine, which would allow it to pass chemical inspections for protein content, was cheaper than actually adding protein to the gluten.
Pebbles, a 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier battled kidney failure after eating dog food in 2007 that was later recalled. AP Photo/Reed Saxon.
Cat owners need to be aware that the cat food company Nutro is recalling some of its dry food.
This notice in Truthaboutpetfood.com details exactly what is being recalled and why.
The voluntary recall, underway in the United States and 10 other countries, is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in the food.
Cat owners who think they may have bought the food are instructed to stop giving it to their cat and to watch their pet for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or a reduced appetite.
Nearly 5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
May 17 to 23 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. The CDC wants to be sure people are aware there are ways to decrease the liklihood of dog bites.
Almost one in five of people who are bitten by dogs, or 885,000 people, require medical attention for their injuries, the CDC says. And In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites.
Children, adult males and people with dogs in their homes are the most likely to get bit, according to the CDC. For kids, most dog bites happen to those who are 5 to 9 years old.
With the temperatures beginning to creep up again, an animal advocacy group wants to remind pet owners that dogs can be extremely vulnerable to the heat.
United Animal Nations released this creative public service poster to remind people that a car with the windows up is, well, essentially like an oven.
Sun reporter Meredith Cohn writes Monday about a wonderful event where the American College of Veterinary Opthalmologists offers free exams for thousands of service dogs -- the dogs who help with search and rescue missions, who assist disabled people and who spend time with the needy.
The dogs can't work in field without good eyesight. The vets in the program waived their usual $50 to $100 examination fees.
One of the dogs Cohn wrote about was Tali, a 6-year-old sweetie with big brown eyes and a wagging tail who lives in Columbia with Meg Meyers and works as a goodwill ambassador in a high school for girls and also visits an assisted living facilty. He left the exam healthy as can be.
The Sun video by Kenneth Lam shows dogs from Maryland, Virginia and Washington getting their eyes examined.
In case anyone needed even MORE reasons not to smoke -- here's a little furry one.
The ASPCA lists tobacco smoke as a toxin that is dangerous to pets.
The American Legacy Foundation, an anti-smoking organization, wanted to take the occassion of National Pet Week to urge smokers with pets to quit.
Toxins in secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats, the organization says. A new study cited by the group shows that nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker.
On the Today Show, they unveiled the pooch who's getting credit for being the world's oldest dog.
Chanel, a 21-year-old dachshund mix from Long Island, is being certified by Guinness World Records as being the oldest dog alive. She's owned by secretary Denice Shaughnessy.
According to the show, Chanel chills easily and always wears a sweater or T-shirt when she goes outside. Because of cataracts, she needs goggles with tinted lenses to protect her eyes. All in all, that seems pretty healthy for a being that's 120 in human years.
The doggie, however, isn't as old as Mookie, a gorgeous 22-year-old miniature lion featured recently here in Collared Today.
Chanel's birthday is May 6, 1988.
She’ll be listed in the 2010 edition of Guinness World Records, scheduled for publication this October.
The oldest dog ever whose age could be verified was Bluey, an Australian cattle dog that died at the ripe old age of 29 years, 5 months in 1939, according to the show.
Chanel, a Dachshund, is celebrating her 21st birthday in May with an induction into the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Oldest Living Dog. Photo by Meredith Daniels/Newsday.
JBW just wrote in to Unleashed, asking, "Do you think animals (like our beloved cats and dogs) are at risk for swine flu? This may be a silly question, but it's been on my mind."
That question has been on a lot of people's minds as the flu virus spreads through the country.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released a statement yesterday saying the virus, which seems to have originated in Mexico, "appears to present a low risk of infecting cats and dogs." The American Veterinary Medical Association also is saying "there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of influenza."
"At this time there is no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus," says Dr. Louise Murray, the Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. "However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animal's health more closely during this outbreak. Steps to limit possible transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa are recommended."
The ASPCA recommends keeping pet pigs and swine farms isolated from any public exposure that might put them at risk. There are Influenza type A vaccines available and recommended for healthy swine -- something owners of Vietnamese Potbellies, African Pygmies and other pet pigs should consider.
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians suggests that visitors should not be allowed into swine production units, and for humans to avoid unnecessary contact with pigs. Because there are many causes of illness in pigs, if your pet pig is unwell, it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian.
A pig is washed at a farm on in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
After a long winter, it’s great to see the spring flowers starting to bloom. But the ASPCA warns that some of the most popular flowers and shrubs can pose a hazard to our pets. The Animal Poison Control Center received nearly 8,000 calls for plant poisoning in 2008.
Here is a ASPCA list of some common plants that can be hazardous to your pet’s health:
