Aunty Rozz's helpful hints for pet owners

ABC's of pet safety with poisons.

There are many poisons that are obvious to humans, but our pets need help to keep safe. When using household cleaners, automotive liquids and pesticides, you should always be sure your pets do not come in contact. Don't spray or store cleaning items or pesticides near pet food and water dishes. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to chemicals.

Automotive anti-freeze contains ethylene glyco which tastes sweet to cats, dogs, ferrets and other small animals. Even a small amount can cause liver damage and death. Clean your shoes if you walked in an anti-freeze spill. You may not notice it on your shoes, but your pet will. Clean spills immediately to protect neighborhood pets. Some products that contain propylene glycol are more pet-friendly.

Food items that are harmful are chocolate, onions, un-cooked bread dough & macadamia nuts. These items can be fatal for a dog. Chocolate contains Theo bromine and caffeine, which can cause stimulation of the central nervous system, an increase in heart rate and tremors. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, and increased thirst, urination, heart rate and death. These can be caused by as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate eaten by a 10-pound dog.

Household plants can be dangerous as well. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says many cats are poisoned in the spring from plants including daffodils and lilies. A cat that eats an Easter lily will die unless it receives prompt medical attention.

Use caution when applying flea & tick control. Follow directions carefully. 'Spot' treatments should only be used on the size dog noted on the package. Do not use the same treatment on a St. Bernard and a Lhasa Apso. Don't use dog treatments on cats. Some dog flea & tick controls can kill a cat.

In case of an emergency get to your vet, the local animal hospital or call

1-888-4 ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). For more information visit: www.aspca.org.

Resources: www.aspca.org & www.k-9university.com.

Preparing a pet first aid kit.

Like their human owners, pets sometimes get sick. In many cases it is due to eating something that may seem fine to us, but could be poison to an animal. Here is a list of some items you should have in your pet first aid kit:

1. Syrup of Ipecac - ( 1 teaspoon per 10# dog to induce vomiting).

Poisons are best treated by early removal from the stomach. Exceptions are caustic or irritating materials that are ingested. A couple of common poisons seen by all veterinarians include rat poison and antifreeze. Ingestion of either one is an emergency. Causing your pet to vomit early will reduce serious consequences. Antifreeze is absorbed even through the oral cavity and is immediately in the system. Antifreeze ingestion needs immediate attention by a veterinarian.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide - This is a very good wound cleanser and will also induce vomiting if given orally. To induce vomiting give orally until vomiting occurs. This is a very safe product to use.

3. Activated Charcoal - Useful for poisons that are irritating and where there may be some absorption of the toxic material. Give orally to absorb the material.

4. Artificial Tears - Used to lubricate and reduce pain on eye injuries. Can also flush eyes profusely with water that you should also have in the kit.

5. 325mg BUFFERED Aspirin - (1 per 50 lbs 8-12 hour interval for sore muscles, pain). Not to be given without some thought. Vomiting animals will vomit more profusely. Cats are very sensitive to aspirin; this

drug should not be repeated more than once every 72 hours. Tylenol is poisonous to cats and can also cause problems with dogs.

6. 25 mg Diphenhydramine HCL (Benadryl) - Used for reducing reactions to allergies and insect bites.

7. Triple Antibiotic Ointment - Helps reduce or avoid infection and used with bandages will provide good protection of wounds.

8. Chlorhexidine - Antiseptic solution for cleaning/flushing wounds.

9. Scissors - This should be a heavy-duty serrated stainless steel type that can be used to cut metal, bandages, belts, wire and other entrapment apparatus.

10. Small Flashlight - Always invaluable.

11. Vaseline (Plain - Non-Medicated) - Useful for lubrication when passing a stomach tube and for wound dressing.

12. The name, address and phone number of both your veterinarian and an animal emergency hospital that is open appropriate hours.

13. First Aid Book see Dr. Randy Acker's book "Field Guide: Dog First Aid Emergency Care for the Hunting, Working, and Outdoor Dog"

In case of an emergency get to your vet, the local animal hospital or call

1-888-4 ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). For more information visit: www.aspca.org.

Resources: www.aspca.org & www.fidocarolina.org

Pet vs Skunk.

What should you do when your pet has a run in with a skunk? Using tomato juice is okay but usually requires several treatments and isn't an easy task. If and when you need help, try this solution. It will be very effective in getting the smell neutralized.

Mix: One quart of Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

1/4 cup baking soda

One teaspoon liquid dish detergent

Put mixture in a spray bottle and spray down your pet. Be sure to keep it out of your pets eyes and do not let them ingest it. Rub in well and in about 15 minutes rinse your pet down thoroughly. Usually one treatment does the trick and everyone is happy again.

This will also work on any humans unlucky enough to get sprayed as well.

Resource: www.k-9university.com.

Pet summer safety.

With the warmer weather coming there are a few rules you should follow to keep your pets from harm during the summer months. Every year there are stories of pets that are injured or killed by being left in a car in the hot sun.

The sun even on days that don't seem very warm or are hazy can cause the inside of your vehicle to heat up to a deadly temperature. It's best to leave your pet at home on these days, but if you must bring your pet along remember to follow these simple rules. Try to find a shady place to park, or use window shades. Leave as many windows opened as you can, including

your moon roof, allowing the air to move around. Leave a source of cool water. Don't leave your pet for long periods of time.

These rules should be applied at home as well if you leave your pets out in a sun room or enclosed porch. Pets left outside should have access to plenty of fresh water.

Pet owners are responsible for the well being of their pets. Causing harm to your pet is against the law and you can be arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. If you see a pet locked in a car in distress you should contact the proper authorities. They may determine breaking into the vehicle as the only option to save the animal.

Pet search - Toads.

Fire-Bellied toads (Bombina Orientalis) -The Oriental Fire-bellied toad is very popular because they are easy to care for and are perfect for the beginner. Toads do best in a tank with 1/3 land, 2/3 water. You can keep 1-2 toads in a ten-gallon tank. You should place healthy plants in the water section. The toads enjoy swimming and floating among these.

The land section should have hiding places and plants.

Feeding: Toads need to be fed once every three days. They only eat food that moves. Crickets are the staple of their diet. They also eat wax worms, black worms, and guppies. Their food should me dusted with a calcium supplement. Talk to your pet store about other foods.

Setup: You should wait a week after you have set up your tank and let the filter run before you introduce the toads to it. You want to get toads that have been at the store for at least a week. They should not be missing digits, have skin blemishes or cuts. They should have clear eyes, and give the store employee a hard time catching it.

Maintenance: A partial water change should be done every two weeks. You remove about ¼ of the water and add de-chlorinated water. To de-chlorinate tap water you should let it sit for about 24 hours. If you have a water filter, you only need to clean monthly.

Caution: These toads are slightly toxic so always wash your hands after handling them.

Pet search - Geckos.

Leopard Geckos (Eublepharus Macularious) - These lizards are great for the beginner. Geckos do well in a 10-gallon or larger fish tank with a screened cover. Geckos enjoy climbing around on wood, rocks, etc. Each Gecko should have it's own hiding place. Coconut shells work well.

Setup: Leopard Geckos should be kept on newspaper or paper towels until they are about 7-8 months old. Then you can put them on a mixture of aquarium gravel and sand. The young geckos can die form impaction if they ingest the gravel or sand. The tank should have both a warm and a cool side. The daytime temp on the cool side should be about 75 degrees and 85 degrees on the warm side. The nighttime temp should remain about 75 degrees. You should try a twelve-hour day/night cycle for your gecko since this is a nocturnal species. Never use heat rock or heat cave, these can severely burn any gecko species.

Feeding: Geckos eat crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. An adult Leopard Gecko can eat 6-10 crickets every 2 or 3 days. A small dish of calcium supplement should be provided at all times. Live food should not be left in the tank for more than 24 hours. There should always be a shallow dish of clean fresh water at all times.

Maintenance: Make sure they have clean water. Clear tank of uneaten food and debris. Change gravel and sand once a month.

Caution: Always wash your hands after handling your reptiles.

Pet Loss and Grief

When a pet is lost for many it is the same as losing a human loved one. Your pet may have died of natural causes, been stolen, run away, killed accidentally or you may have to euthanize your pet for humane reasons. Grief and other emotions such as sadness, anger, anxiety, and guilt as well as fatigue, crying and loss of appetite are normal. Grieving is a

necessary part of the healing process.

Remember in many cases the loss will affect your whole family. It is important to share your feelings. Children may not understand what has happened. It is recommended that children be told the truth. Telling them that your pet has been 'put to sleep' will confuse them, and could cause them to become afraid of going to sleep themselves. Better to tell them that you are helping your pet to die so it will not suffer. Letting the children make a memorial for the pet will help them understand the process and aid them with their own grief.

If you have other pets in the home, they may also have grief. They may stop eating, shy away from the family, appear to be constantly searching the home or cry out in the nighttime.

When a trained service animal such as a Seeing Eye dog is lost, the owner can be devastated. Along with companionship, the loss of their special help can prolong the grieving process.

Holding in these emotions can prolong your sadness. There are several support resources you can use to help. Talking with family and friends or your veterinarian is always better than trying to go it alone. You may even consider a grief counselor.

The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine has a confidential telephone service set up. The Companion Animal Related Emotions Pet Loss Help line is available Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9 pm Central Time. Their toll-free telephone number is:

(877) 394-CARE (2273).

Resource: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/

The Internet has an abundance of information as well. Here are some links that may help.

petloss.com

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

pet loss support page

Home Vet - Coping With the Loss of a Pet

THE LIGHTNING STRIKE PET-LOSS SUPPORT PAGE

Pet Loss - Pets Grieving

Rainbows Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center and Chat Room

PET LOSS TRACKS IN THE SAND