Thursday, April 30, 2009
Dexter
Last week my friend Tammy at our Vet's office called to say there was a lady who rescues cats, had a kitty in need of a home. He was feral, a brown & white tabby, fixed, with all his shots, healthy and disease free. When he first arrived, he was cautious with major trust issues. Once he felt comfortable he took over claiming all laps as his special places to recline. He became a real lover and fit right in. The lady's name is Sandy and they also have 2 dogs in residence. This kitty is now named Dexter and he has established ground rules for the dogs. "This is my space." "That is your space." "I won't invade your space and you won't invade mine." Before I talked to Sandy, something told me (perhaps it was Timmy whispering in my ear) that Dexter belonged with Sandy and her family. It was just this feeling I had. Today I finally got to talk to her and guess what? She absolutely adores Dexter and can't picture their family without him. This is a happy ending for everyone, even me.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
May Pet Column
FYI for Furry Friends by Kathy Hanson May, 2009
Xyletol is deadly to dogs. It is found in anything that is sugar free like pudding and gum for example. If a dog eats anything sugar free, it will cause them to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops very quickly. Next it causes liver failure. If that happens, even with aggressive medical treatment it can be very difficult to save their lives.
I heard about this from an email I received. The lady who created and sent out this email is named Hattie. She learned about this first hand when her beloved dachshund Chloe got into a friend’s purse and ate sugar free gum. She had read about this and she knew Chloe was in danger. Hattie called her vet who told her to bring Chloe right in. By the time Hattie and Chloe got there the Vet had done her research online as well. The first thing she did was to induce her to vomit, give her a charcoal drink to absorb the toxins and then start an IV with dextrose. She sent Hattie home with the promise to call her as soon as she knew anything. About 2 hours later the vet called and said that Chloe’s stomach contained 2-3 gum wrappers and that her blood sugar had dropped from 90 to 59 in 30 minutes. Her suggestion was to take Chloe to a 24 hr. critical care unit which she did. First thing they had me do was call the ASAP poison control for a case number and for a donation, and the ASAP doctors would direct the critical care doctor on treatment. They continued the IV, monitored her blood every other hour and then in 2 days they would test her liver function. Chloe ended up with a central line in her Jugular vein since the one in her leg had collapsed, just as our vet had feared. Chloe spent almost the entire weekend in the critical care hospital. Once her blood sugar was stabilized, she was allowed to come home. They ran all the tests again before they released her and so far there was no sign of liver damage.
If Hattie had not seen Chloe with her head in her friend’s purse and discovered what she had eaten, she probably would have died and no one would have known why. 3 vets told her when this happened, that they were amazed that Hattie knew about Xylitol since they were just learning about it too.
********
Foods that are dangerous to your pets:
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums –large amounts of stems, seeds, and leaves can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.
Avocados – the leaves, fruit, bark and seeds are known to be toxic. The toxic compound in avocados is “persin” which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart.
Chocolate – besides a high fat content, it contains caffeine and theobromine. These 2 compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to dogs in high amounts. Depending on how much chocolate they consume, various problems can occur such as vomiting and diarrhea. Once they’ve eaten enough to cause a toxic reaction they may become restless, hyperactive, and develop muscle twitching. It can cause excessive urination, possibly excessive panting. Their heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
Dairy products – even though they are not highly dangerous, they can cause problems for 2 reasons: 1) high fat content which could cause pancreatitis. 2) pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. In some pets it can cause gas and diarrhea.
Grapes and raisins – there have been 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount eaten has been between 9 oz. to 2 lbs. and the dogs that ate these developed kidney failure.
Nutmeg – high levels of this spice can be toxic and even fatal. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
Onions or Garlic – dogs and cats lack the enzyme to digest onions. Ingesting onions can cause the red blood cells to possibly become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient called thiosulphate. Signs of a problem can occur immediately or maybe a few days later. As for garlic large quantities need to be eaten before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if they are eaten and no treatment is received. If you give your cat baby food and this food contains onion powder, toxicity can occur. Some baby foods are seasoned with onion powder.
So to be on the safe side please don’t let your pets consume any of these items.
Xyletol is deadly to dogs. It is found in anything that is sugar free like pudding and gum for example. If a dog eats anything sugar free, it will cause them to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops very quickly. Next it causes liver failure. If that happens, even with aggressive medical treatment it can be very difficult to save their lives.
I heard about this from an email I received. The lady who created and sent out this email is named Hattie. She learned about this first hand when her beloved dachshund Chloe got into a friend’s purse and ate sugar free gum. She had read about this and she knew Chloe was in danger. Hattie called her vet who told her to bring Chloe right in. By the time Hattie and Chloe got there the Vet had done her research online as well. The first thing she did was to induce her to vomit, give her a charcoal drink to absorb the toxins and then start an IV with dextrose. She sent Hattie home with the promise to call her as soon as she knew anything. About 2 hours later the vet called and said that Chloe’s stomach contained 2-3 gum wrappers and that her blood sugar had dropped from 90 to 59 in 30 minutes. Her suggestion was to take Chloe to a 24 hr. critical care unit which she did. First thing they had me do was call the ASAP poison control for a case number and for a donation, and the ASAP doctors would direct the critical care doctor on treatment. They continued the IV, monitored her blood every other hour and then in 2 days they would test her liver function. Chloe ended up with a central line in her Jugular vein since the one in her leg had collapsed, just as our vet had feared. Chloe spent almost the entire weekend in the critical care hospital. Once her blood sugar was stabilized, she was allowed to come home. They ran all the tests again before they released her and so far there was no sign of liver damage.
If Hattie had not seen Chloe with her head in her friend’s purse and discovered what she had eaten, she probably would have died and no one would have known why. 3 vets told her when this happened, that they were amazed that Hattie knew about Xylitol since they were just learning about it too.
********
Foods that are dangerous to your pets:
Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums –large amounts of stems, seeds, and leaves can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.
Avocados – the leaves, fruit, bark and seeds are known to be toxic. The toxic compound in avocados is “persin” which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart.
Chocolate – besides a high fat content, it contains caffeine and theobromine. These 2 compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to dogs in high amounts. Depending on how much chocolate they consume, various problems can occur such as vomiting and diarrhea. Once they’ve eaten enough to cause a toxic reaction they may become restless, hyperactive, and develop muscle twitching. It can cause excessive urination, possibly excessive panting. Their heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
Dairy products – even though they are not highly dangerous, they can cause problems for 2 reasons: 1) high fat content which could cause pancreatitis. 2) pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. In some pets it can cause gas and diarrhea.
Grapes and raisins – there have been 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount eaten has been between 9 oz. to 2 lbs. and the dogs that ate these developed kidney failure.
Nutmeg – high levels of this spice can be toxic and even fatal. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
Onions or Garlic – dogs and cats lack the enzyme to digest onions. Ingesting onions can cause the red blood cells to possibly become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient called thiosulphate. Signs of a problem can occur immediately or maybe a few days later. As for garlic large quantities need to be eaten before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if they are eaten and no treatment is received. If you give your cat baby food and this food contains onion powder, toxicity can occur. Some baby foods are seasoned with onion powder.
So to be on the safe side please don’t let your pets consume any of these items.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
April 2009 Gold Country Monthly
FYI for Furry Friends by Kathy Hanson April, 2009
Spring has arrived and there are 2 very important topics I would like to cover this month – West Nile Virus and Foxtails.
I’ve seen the coverage on TV asking everyone to check around our homes, properties and anyplace there might be standing water. This is the breeding ground for mosquitoes and their eggs. They are the carriers of this disease as well as dead birds who may have been infected. I already stressed this at my home as I squished a little blood sucker in my bedroom that anywhere there were buckets, troughs, pails, ponds, etc. to dump that water out and then only then put water where it was needed for our dogs. I haven’t really walked around checking all these holders of standing water, but I did see a few standing on their sides empty. Sometime during the next few days I will do a more thorough check. It is best to be safe rather than sorry and have a loved one or even you become infected with this terrible illness which can kill. If you need more help with this or more information go online, talk to your vets, your doctors. In this case ignorance is not bliss.
********
I am sure living in our area most people who are owned by a pet are familiar with the word “Foxtail” as it is a huge hazard to our pets (primarily dogs). Our area, as well as other locations that have limited rainfall and certain months where there is no rain, are prime locations for this pest. It could be considered an ideal place to live but it also makes a ripe environment for all different types of weeds. Most of these weeds are not harmful. But one weed in particular, while being completely non-toxic, is an extreme threat to our pets. While this weed can grow almost anywhere in the world, certain areas of California have the best environment for it and it can grow anywhere from covered hills to empty lots, vacant land, or your own backyard.
Wild barley is commonly called ‘foxtail’ or ‘foxtail Brome grass’ due to the distinctive shape of its seed cluster. During the early spring, these weeds start to populate anywhere the seeds had been carried the previous summer. While green, they pose little danger. Once the seeds mature and the plant begins to wither(around May most years), the seeds can fall of the plant, either by blowing in the wind(less common) or by sticking to the hair coat of a passing animal(most common). These seeds are ideally suited to transmission via animals because of their shape. They are “V” shape, with a sharp point on one end and microscopic barbs on the other. These barbs and this “V” shape allow the seed to firmly attach to the coat. Later, during grooming or running through other plants, the seeds can be knocked off and will sit in the soil until the following spring.
While this structure is a wonderful adaptation for this plant, this mechanism can cause a lot of problems for the animal “ride” it attaches to. This structure allows for the foxtail to “migrate” deeper into the coat with time. Because of the barbs, it cannot move back out again. So it will continue to go deeper and deeper wherever it lands. This can be a very serious situation. It can sometimes be fatal.
Personally last year over one weekend I had 2 medical emergencies with both Ebony, my black lab mix, and Barney, my yellow lab. Imagine both of them the same weekend having medical problems due to foxtails. In all the years we’ve lived in Cool this is the first time for any of our dogs. Ebony was the first one to exhibit a problem with her ear. So off to the Vets she went where they put her out and removed 2 foxtails from her ear. We had to administer medicine to that ear until it was all gone. I’m not sure if at the same time she had one in her other ear that could easily be removed. Then later that weekend Barney showed signs of an infected area on the side of his face. So off to the Vets he went and this foxtail had entered through his mouth and then got into his saliva gland causing an infection. If we hadn’t been observant, he could have developed an abscess which would have been even more serious. He was treated and came through with flying colors.
Start now checking your property for these menaces – you can’t miss them. Please do whatever you can to make your yards weed-free. Keep your pets’ fur short especially the feet and ears which will prevent foxtails from hitchhiking. Trimming your property should be done as the hills and surrounding areas are turning brown and every 6-8 weeks until the end of September. Check over your pets daily by brushing them because if you find one on their coats more than likely there will be more. Be observant – they can enter ears, eyes, skin, noses, throats, chests, and between their toes. Watch for any behavior that will indicate something is wrong, like shaking their heads, pawing at their mouths, eyes, etc.
Talk to your vets, go online, and the same as with the West Nile Virus, be as informed as you can possibly be for the sake and protection of the furries you love.
Spring has arrived and there are 2 very important topics I would like to cover this month – West Nile Virus and Foxtails.
I’ve seen the coverage on TV asking everyone to check around our homes, properties and anyplace there might be standing water. This is the breeding ground for mosquitoes and their eggs. They are the carriers of this disease as well as dead birds who may have been infected. I already stressed this at my home as I squished a little blood sucker in my bedroom that anywhere there were buckets, troughs, pails, ponds, etc. to dump that water out and then only then put water where it was needed for our dogs. I haven’t really walked around checking all these holders of standing water, but I did see a few standing on their sides empty. Sometime during the next few days I will do a more thorough check. It is best to be safe rather than sorry and have a loved one or even you become infected with this terrible illness which can kill. If you need more help with this or more information go online, talk to your vets, your doctors. In this case ignorance is not bliss.
********
I am sure living in our area most people who are owned by a pet are familiar with the word “Foxtail” as it is a huge hazard to our pets (primarily dogs). Our area, as well as other locations that have limited rainfall and certain months where there is no rain, are prime locations for this pest. It could be considered an ideal place to live but it also makes a ripe environment for all different types of weeds. Most of these weeds are not harmful. But one weed in particular, while being completely non-toxic, is an extreme threat to our pets. While this weed can grow almost anywhere in the world, certain areas of California have the best environment for it and it can grow anywhere from covered hills to empty lots, vacant land, or your own backyard.
Wild barley is commonly called ‘foxtail’ or ‘foxtail Brome grass’ due to the distinctive shape of its seed cluster. During the early spring, these weeds start to populate anywhere the seeds had been carried the previous summer. While green, they pose little danger. Once the seeds mature and the plant begins to wither(around May most years), the seeds can fall of the plant, either by blowing in the wind(less common) or by sticking to the hair coat of a passing animal(most common). These seeds are ideally suited to transmission via animals because of their shape. They are “V” shape, with a sharp point on one end and microscopic barbs on the other. These barbs and this “V” shape allow the seed to firmly attach to the coat. Later, during grooming or running through other plants, the seeds can be knocked off and will sit in the soil until the following spring.
While this structure is a wonderful adaptation for this plant, this mechanism can cause a lot of problems for the animal “ride” it attaches to. This structure allows for the foxtail to “migrate” deeper into the coat with time. Because of the barbs, it cannot move back out again. So it will continue to go deeper and deeper wherever it lands. This can be a very serious situation. It can sometimes be fatal.
Personally last year over one weekend I had 2 medical emergencies with both Ebony, my black lab mix, and Barney, my yellow lab. Imagine both of them the same weekend having medical problems due to foxtails. In all the years we’ve lived in Cool this is the first time for any of our dogs. Ebony was the first one to exhibit a problem with her ear. So off to the Vets she went where they put her out and removed 2 foxtails from her ear. We had to administer medicine to that ear until it was all gone. I’m not sure if at the same time she had one in her other ear that could easily be removed. Then later that weekend Barney showed signs of an infected area on the side of his face. So off to the Vets he went and this foxtail had entered through his mouth and then got into his saliva gland causing an infection. If we hadn’t been observant, he could have developed an abscess which would have been even more serious. He was treated and came through with flying colors.
Start now checking your property for these menaces – you can’t miss them. Please do whatever you can to make your yards weed-free. Keep your pets’ fur short especially the feet and ears which will prevent foxtails from hitchhiking. Trimming your property should be done as the hills and surrounding areas are turning brown and every 6-8 weeks until the end of September. Check over your pets daily by brushing them because if you find one on their coats more than likely there will be more. Be observant – they can enter ears, eyes, skin, noses, throats, chests, and between their toes. Watch for any behavior that will indicate something is wrong, like shaking their heads, pawing at their mouths, eyes, etc.
Talk to your vets, go online, and the same as with the West Nile Virus, be as informed as you can possibly be for the sake and protection of the furries you love.
First Column in Gold Country Monthly - March 2009
FYI for Furry Friends
To one and all this is my first column in the Gold Country Monthly. My writing may sound familiar to some as it is inspired and influenced by my beloved cat, Timmy, who previously created the Pet Corner in the Town Crier. Since he has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I felt it was my duty to carry on his work as a pet rights advocate, sharing any and all helpful information for those who have been entrusted with a pet.
Here is some interesting information I received about a disease called Zoonosis. It has to do with roundworms which can be transmitted from pets to people. The following is a true story from a Mother’s Perspective on Zoonosis.
Jennifer Ronan never imagined that taking her son Christopher to a neighborhood playground could make him sick. She learned that the most innocent of places can hold hidden dangers if you are unaware. Jennifer took excellent care of her son and her family. Christopher was up to date on his vaccinations. After each annual checkup he got a clean bill of health. After his 4th birthday his checkup stayed the same except his doctor suggested that he have an eye exam which is what optometrists recommend for 4 year olds.
So Christopher went to see Dr. David Milliken for his first eye exam and that was the day that this family’s whole world came apart. Immediately it became obvious that something wasn’t right – Christopher could not see out of his left eye. The doctor confirmed the news that Christopher was partially blind in that eye. Two days later he was diagnosed with toxocariasis by Dr. Tatsua Hirose, one of the best retinal specialists in the country. He confirmed that Christopher had contracted ocular larva migrans, a serious health condition in which one or more roundworm larvae became trapped in the eye, causing a dense scar in the retina.
Dr. Hirose conducted a series of tests and performed an examination, but he wasn’t able to determine the exact source of disease transmission. Ben, their black Lab, and Maggie, their yellow Lab, were eliminated as possible infection sources, as was their calico kitty, Amelia.
All of their pets were on heartworm preventative that controls and treats roundworms and hookworms. Also their pets have never been positive for the presence of worms during their annual checkups.
After an intense investigation about their daily routines and Christopher’s play habits, it became apparent that he contracted ocular larva migrans from playing in a public sandbox or playground. Near where they live is such a place which has a sandbox, swing set, and green lawn for soccer games. It is also a place that could easily harbor roundworm-infected waste. Not once when they were building sandcastles in the sandbox and playing ball in the park did they consider this neighborhood play area or any other such place, like school playgrounds, parks and sandboxes a potential hazard for their son. Today Christopher is a normal kindergartner, learning to write his letters and numbers, doing karate, and enjoying time with his family and friends. However his lost vision will never be restored.
Ask your vets about the risks of these diseases and how to keep your pets and yourselves safe.
Kathy Hanson
To one and all this is my first column in the Gold Country Monthly. My writing may sound familiar to some as it is inspired and influenced by my beloved cat, Timmy, who previously created the Pet Corner in the Town Crier. Since he has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I felt it was my duty to carry on his work as a pet rights advocate, sharing any and all helpful information for those who have been entrusted with a pet.
Here is some interesting information I received about a disease called Zoonosis. It has to do with roundworms which can be transmitted from pets to people. The following is a true story from a Mother’s Perspective on Zoonosis.
Jennifer Ronan never imagined that taking her son Christopher to a neighborhood playground could make him sick. She learned that the most innocent of places can hold hidden dangers if you are unaware. Jennifer took excellent care of her son and her family. Christopher was up to date on his vaccinations. After each annual checkup he got a clean bill of health. After his 4th birthday his checkup stayed the same except his doctor suggested that he have an eye exam which is what optometrists recommend for 4 year olds.
So Christopher went to see Dr. David Milliken for his first eye exam and that was the day that this family’s whole world came apart. Immediately it became obvious that something wasn’t right – Christopher could not see out of his left eye. The doctor confirmed the news that Christopher was partially blind in that eye. Two days later he was diagnosed with toxocariasis by Dr. Tatsua Hirose, one of the best retinal specialists in the country. He confirmed that Christopher had contracted ocular larva migrans, a serious health condition in which one or more roundworm larvae became trapped in the eye, causing a dense scar in the retina.
Dr. Hirose conducted a series of tests and performed an examination, but he wasn’t able to determine the exact source of disease transmission. Ben, their black Lab, and Maggie, their yellow Lab, were eliminated as possible infection sources, as was their calico kitty, Amelia.
All of their pets were on heartworm preventative that controls and treats roundworms and hookworms. Also their pets have never been positive for the presence of worms during their annual checkups.
After an intense investigation about their daily routines and Christopher’s play habits, it became apparent that he contracted ocular larva migrans from playing in a public sandbox or playground. Near where they live is such a place which has a sandbox, swing set, and green lawn for soccer games. It is also a place that could easily harbor roundworm-infected waste. Not once when they were building sandcastles in the sandbox and playing ball in the park did they consider this neighborhood play area or any other such place, like school playgrounds, parks and sandboxes a potential hazard for their son. Today Christopher is a normal kindergartner, learning to write his letters and numbers, doing karate, and enjoying time with his family and friends. However his lost vision will never be restored.
Ask your vets about the risks of these diseases and how to keep your pets and yourselves safe.
Kathy Hanson
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