Garden Fertilisers

As we prepare our gardens for the perfect bloom, care must be taken when using fertilizers around our pets. Fertilizer can contain many different ingredients; some of which can cause mild stomach problems to death if ingested by our pets.

Blood meal
Dried and ground blood that contains 12% nitrogen. If ingested, can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Bone meal
Dried and ground animal bones. This ingredient makes fertiliser extremely inviting to our dogs. Large consumption can result in constipation or gastrointestinal blockage.

Iron
Commonly added to fertilizer and also found in vitamin supplements. Iron toxicity can result in stomach ulcers, liver disease, heart damage.

Preventing Dog Bites

Nearly 1 million Americans require medical attention annually following dog bite inuries.

Most of these injuries occur in children aged between 5-9 years and a significantly higher incidence in boys than girls.






It is important to teach children basic safety and dog behaviour so they can avoid being bitten.
• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Do not run from a dog and scream.
• Remain still if approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If knocked over by a dog, be still and quiet.
• Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid staring into the eyes of a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or nursing puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

Further statistics at CDC

Dog Friendly Cars

Honda announced its dog friendly Honda element concept car at the New York Auto Show this year. It features:
• Dog restraints
• Hardy fabrics
• Access ramps
• Cushioned bed
• Spill-resistant water bowl
• Doggy cooling system

This is a great reminder for pet safety and pet care when traveling with your furry friends by car.

Top 10 Wildlife Threats to your Pet

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) recently released the most common wildlife attack claims on pets for 2008.

1. Snakes
2. Coyotes
3. Raccoons
4. Squirrels
5. Scorpions
6. Javelina or Collared Peccary (Pig-like mammal)
7. Porcupine
8. Groundhog
9. Skunk
10. Rat

Wildlife are not only a source of attack on our pets, they can also be a source of disease such as rabies, fleas, ticks, worms. For this reason, it is important that we do as much as we can to prevent wildlife coming onto our property or having access to our pets.

Open Windows

It’s not all that uncommon for pets to accidentally fall from a building or car out of an open window. Unfortunately, our pets do not quite understand the concept of open windows and the consequences of jumping out. Although cats are known for their ability to land on their feet “cat righting reflex”, they are not invincible when it comes to high-rise apartments and moving cars.

Prevention:
Secure your pets if you are to open a window
• Pet crates
• Pet barriers
• Car seat belts

Fly Strike

Fly season peaks mid to late Summer. These unpleasant pests look for injured tissue on living animals to lay their eggs. The maggots then hatch out to feast on the damaged flesh. Common areas of attack include open wounds, around the eye, and around the anus. It takes about 8-12 hours for the egg to hatch into the maggot form. Infestations are not only irritating, but they can cause serious damage and death.

Prevention:
• Bathe and groom your pets regularly
• Check your pet’s skin for wounds or dermatitis daily
• Treat any conditions such as diarrhea
• Clean any skin folds
• Control flies in the home environment

Garden Fertilizers

As we prepare our gardens for the perfect bloom, care must be taken when using fertilizers around our pets. Fertilizer can contain many different ingredients; some of which can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation to death if ingested by our pets.

Blood meal
Dried and ground blood that contains 12% nitrogen. If ingested, can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Bone meal
Dried and ground animal bones. This ingredient makes fertiliser extremely inviting to our dogs. Large consumption can result in constipation or gastrointestinal blockage.

Iron
Commonly added to fertilizer and also found in vitamin supplements. Iron toxicity can result in stomach ulcers, liver disease, heart damage.

Common Household Poisons

Without toys and exercise, pets can become bored and start looking around the house for something to play with. There are various household items that should be securely stored. Most insecticides, pesticides and cleaning agents contain poisonous chemicals.

Examples:
• Ant Poisons
• Antifreeze
• Battery acid
• Bleach
• Brake Fluid
• Cleaning Products
• Crayons
• Deodorants
• Drain Cleaner
• Dye
• Fertilizer
• Flea Products
• Heavy Metals (Lead, Zinc)
• Insecticides
• Matches
• Paint Remover and Thinner
• Perfume
• Rat Bait

Things to Consider Before You Get a Dog

Choosing the right dog for you is a step that shouldn't be taken lightly.
• If you are considering a pedigree, consult with your veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for your household.
• Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households with children.
• If a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog and, delay acquiring a dog.
• Always spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it.
• Introduce a dog to a home with extreme caution. Never leave a child alone with a
dog.
• Spay/neuter all dogs unless planning to breed with them
• Do not play aggressive games with your dog such as chasing, wrestling
• Socialize and train any dog entering the household.
• Teach the dog basic behaviours such as “sit”, “stay”, relax”, “come” Promote
submissive behaviors such as rolling over to expose abdomen and relinquishing food
without growling
• Immediately seek professional advice from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or
responsible breeders if your dog shows any aggressive or fearful behaviour.
• Avoid buying a puppy from a pet shop as most the time the history of the pet is unknown.
• Avoid buying a dog that was advertise in the paper.
• A registered pedigree will always have papers and are printed on official paper.
• Ensure your puppy comes with an official vaccination record by the veterinarian

Tips for Flying with Pets

Traveling pets has become increasingly popular. With the introduction of pet-specific airlines, it is important for us to know how to prepare our pet for safe air travel.

• Restrict food for 12 hours before a flight
• Provide only small amounts of water
• Exercise your pet just before the flight
• Train the pet to see the crate as a positive experience by allowing it to sleep in there at home, giving praise and treats
• Use puppy pads or small litter box for the trip to help with any accidents
• Stay as calm as possible to your pet doesn’t pick up on your concerns

Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing

Anaesthetics have come a long way in terms of safety and recovery times. However, it is not without risk. As our pets are unable to tell us whether they are unwell, the veterinarian relies on the blood test to give us clues as to what is going on. Anaesthetic protocols can be altered according results.

The blood test can test for various problems such as diabetes, kidney or liver failure, thyroid problems and anemia.

It is essential in older dogs (> 7 years) that blood testing is done annually and prior to anaesthetics so that any problems are picked up early.

Tips for Handling an Injured Pet

If your pet is injured or you come across an injured pet, it’s important to know the basics of handling in order to prevent harm to yourself and further harm to your pet. Even the most gentle of pets can be unpredictable when in pain.

• Call your veterinarian immediately to explain the situation
• If you suspect a fracture, muzzle your pet
• If your pet is vomiting, do not use a muzzle
• If you are unable to get your pet into a carrier, use a thick blanket as a stretcher to carry your pet into the car

Atopy - Inhaled Allergens

Atopy refers to allergies in pets that are caused by inhaled allergens. It is often diagnosed between 6 months and 3 years of age. And characterized by itchy feet, face, ears, belly and under arms.

Common breeds
• Shar Peis
• Fox Terriers
• Golden Retrievers
• Dalmations
• Boxers
• Boston Terriers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Lhasa Apsos
• Scottish Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• West Highland White Terriers

Diagnosis is based on:
• history
• physical exam
• ruling out food allergies
• parasites
• ruling out contact allergies

Control
1. Avoidance of allergen
2. Symptomatic therapy (anti-histamines, corticosteroids etc)
3. Desensitization from allergy testing and shots

Is Your Pet Afraid of a Storm?

It’s not uncommon for pets to be afraid of a storm. Dogs can hide, try to escape or show destructive behavior. Panting, pacing, trembling, increased salivation, barking, indoor toileting and self-trauma are signs of distress.

Treatment options:
1. Medical
a. Depending on the age and health of your pet, veterinarians can prescribe low dose anti-anxiety medications.

2. Behavioral
a. Do not reward distressed behavior
b. Engage in fun activity during a storm
c. Desensitize your pet to storm noises through the use of CDs from a young age

3. Environmental
a. Take your dog into a room that blocks any storm visuals or audios

Treadmill Therapy

Treadmill therapy is becoming increasingly popular at veterinary hospitals as a way to enhance rehabilitation, provide pain relief, facilitate muscle relaxation, and provide cardiovascular endurance in a buoyant environment.

Indications:
• Early return to function
• Improve muscle strength
• Improve range of motion
• Athletic conditioning
• Weight management

Contraindications:
• Pets that are fearful of water
• Pets that have heart or lung disease
• Some spinal injuries
• Pets with open wounds or sutures

How to Stop Puppy Biting

It is normal for puppies to bite as they often use their mouth to explore and play. Biting is considered an undesirable behavior and can be prevented through appropriate training. Physical correction should never be used as this can result in fear and aggression.

Always get your puppy checked first to ensure that there is no medical reason for their biting.

Tips:
• Teach your pup basic commands such as sit, stay and come
• Exercise your pup in a set routine
• Avoid wrestling and rough play
• Frequently leash-walk your pet (ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date)
• Provide chew toys
• Isolate the pup when it starts to play bite
• Reward your pup for good, calm behavior
• Enroll your pup into puppy classes from 6-14 weeks of age

Poisonous Palms

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has recently seen an increase in reports of Palm plant poisonings in dogs. The Sago of Cycad palms are decorative indoor plants often found in households in tropical areas. The seeds contain the most toxins, but the leaves, stem and roots are also toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal problems in dogs, sheep, cattle and humans.

Signs of poisoning:
• Vomiting
• Inappetence
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Liver failure

If you have these plants, ensure they are in areas out of reach of pets. If you are concerned your pet may have ingested this plant, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Deadly Parvo

Parvo is a severe gastrointestinal disorder that can affect dogs, but predominantly puppies. It is highly contagious and contracted through contaminated feces. The reason is can become such a problem is that the virus itself is highly resistant and can remain in the environment such as parks, malls, boarding kennels, for any unprotected pet.

Clinical Signs Include:
• Vomiting
• Severe, bloody diarrhea
• Depression or lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Death as quick as 48-72 hours after onset of signs

As with most infectious disease, prevention is better than treatment. Highly effective vaccines exist for dogs starting from a pup at 6 weeks of age, every 3 weeks up to 16 weeks of age. They will then need continued protection with a vaccination one year later and every three years after that.

Ear Infections

Common Causes:
1. Yeast
2. Food Allergies
3. Fox tails/Grass Seeds
4. Parasites - mites (demodex), fleas, ticks
5. Hypothyroidism

Presdipositions
1. Narrow ear canal e.g. Shar Peis
2. Defective drainage
3. Ear Conformation
4. Self Trauma - dog or cat scratching at it or rough cleaning
5. over treatment
6. obstruction e.g. tumour or polyp

Grass Seeds or Foxtails

Grass seeds, although small, can be fatal to our pets. These small seeds can bury their way through skin and organs and usually enter through the toes and ears.

Prevention tips:
• Avoid walking in long grass
• Check your pet around the ears and toes after every walk
• Remove any with tweezers gently
• Keep your pet groomed – short haired pets are less likely to trap grass seeds in
their coat.

If you suspect your pet has a grass seed, contact your veterinarian immediately.