The dog days of summer are here and we should all be aware of our pets and there exposure to these hot days. As a professional trainer, I limit my doggie clients workouts to short periods of time (10-15 minutes) when it is hot and have plenty of water and shade available.
Below is an excerpt from a nice little article written by Steve Dale and found in the Chicago Tribune on tips that we should be aware of with our pets in our homes, yards, cars and pools.
Dogs can die in hot cars. And no wonder. According to the AAA Chicago Motor Club, when it’s 85 degrees outdoors, and even with the windows open for cross-circulation, the dashboard of a car will heat up to 170 degrees in 15 minutes.
“How hot it can get in a car just blows me away,” says Dr. Mike Cavanaugh, executive director and CEO of the Denver, CO-based American Animal Hospital Association.
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Regular swimming pools, though, could be a problem.
“Sometimes even dogs who are capable swimmers, like Labrador Retrievers, can’t get out because there’s no ramp,” says Rubin. “Adult supervision around a pool is always a good idea.”
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For dogs left outside during the day, Chicago veterinarian Dr. Sheldon Rubin says, “They must have shade and plenty of water. In fact, we suggest a children’s wading pool so the dog has the option to walk around or sit inside it to keep cool.”
Please watch your pets as they depend on you for their safety. Below is a bio on the author of the article. If you are using an electronic dog fence or you just have a fenced in backyard, make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade.
(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can’t answer all of them individually, he’ll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve’s website is http://www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated “Steve Dale’s Pet World” and “The Pet Minute.” He’s also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.)
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Jun 27, 2012 | | Dog Health
Can dogs get H1N1?
As it turns out, yes dogs can get a strain of the virus and it may be coming here to the USA. In fact, it may already be here. The American Medical Veterinary Association reported last month that a cat in Iowa had contacted the H1N1 virus.
Since that point in time, two more cats have gotten the virus (one of them died) and China has stated that have identified the virus in two dogs. There is probably many more cases of H1N1 that has not been diagnosed as there has been little testing for the virus.
Do we have to worry about our pets getting us sick? One medical person says we may pose more risk to our pets than our pets to us. It has been reported that Dr. Tony Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, has said that the cats that have been diagnosed lived with human family members that had a respiratory illness.
The same appears to be true with the dogs in China.
It is too early to say; but it could be possible that once the disease mutates in pets it could be a health hazard to humans. Don’t flip out. Use common sense and the normal good health practices you would use in flu season.
To read more about H1N1, go to the American Medical Veterinary Association website or visit the news article at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/12/01/petscol120109.
Dec 01, 2009 | | Dog Health
In light of the recent dog recall, I thought this might be a good time to mention another health concern for dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in items such as chewing gum, mints, nicotine gum, chewable vitamins, and oral-care products. It is also purchased in granulated form and used as a sweetener for cereals, beverages, and baked goods. Caution – Xylitol is very toxic to dogs.
Xylitol has grown in popularity during the past few years, primarily because it is considered a good sugar subsitute for those on low-carbohydrate diets as well as those concerned with the glycemic index of foods. Xylitol is also popular among diabetics because it does not cause dramatic peaks of insulin production after use.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of xylitol products has increased so has the number of reported toxic exposures to dogs. In 2003, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center reported three cases of xylitol poisoning. In 2005, 193 cases were reported. And during just the first half of 2006, they received 114 reported cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Most all of these poisonings occurred due to unawareness. Pet owners did not know that Xylitol is a dog poison.
Old research showed the primary Xylitol side effects on dogs was hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Recent research shows it has been discovered to produce acute and possibly life-threatening liver disease.
Dogs seem to absorb almost 100% of xylitol into their systems. Humans absorb only 50%. Only a small amount of xylitol is needed to produce toxic effects in dogs
Watch for these symptoms.
After ingesting xylitol, dogs may begin to vomit and develop hypoglycemia within an hour. Some dogs will develop liver failure within 12 to 24 hours after xylitol ingestion. One reported case involved a 3-year-old dog that ate five or six cookies containing the sweetener. It became ill 24 hours later and died the next day. If your dog ingests xylitol call your veterinarian immediately.
Pet owners who use xylitol-sweetened products in their home need to be aware of its toxic effect on dogs. Please tell your friends and neighbors who own dogs. They need to ensure that their dogs do not get ahold of any of these products.
It could be as innocent as a child or owner sharing a cookie with their best friend. The results could be tragic.
Link:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Press Release http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_082106
Note: Xylitol’s effect on cats is currently unknown. Other sugar sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, mannitol, and sucralose are generally regarded as safe for dogs. However, I see no reason to give any of these ingredients to a pet.
Mar 21, 2007 | | Dog Health