National Poison Prevention Week is March 20-26. What better time to educate yourself about the importance of poison safety?

According to the ASPCA, their Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) handled more than 167,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances last year, many of which included typical household items.

When it comes to pet poisonings, prevention is paramount. In addition to the obvious toxic materials, please keep in mind the top 10 pet poisons of 2010:

1. Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2010 was no exception. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

2. Insecticides
In an effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, people often unwittingly put their pets at risk. One of the most common incidents involves the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

3. Rodenticides
Baits used to kill mice and rats are mostly grain based. Not only does this attract rodents, but it attracts dogs and cats. There are several different types of rodenticides that can cause seizures, internal bleeding or kidney failure. Always make sure these items are placed in areas that pets cannot access.

4. People Food
Xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic are commonly ingested by our pets. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, while onions and garlic can cause anemia if enough is ingested. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar free gums and mints, can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.

5. Veterinary Medications
Many medications made for our pets are flavored for ease of giving. Unfortunately, that means that animals may ingest the entire bottle of medication if they find it tasty. Common chewable medications include arthritis and incontinence medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests more than his proper dose of medication.

6. Chocolate
Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which act as stimulants to our pets. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains. Methylxanthines can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death.

7. Household Toxins
Cleaning supplies, such as bleach, acids, alkalis and other detergents, can cause corrosive injury to the mouth and stomach. Other household items such as batteries and liquid potpourri can cause similar problems. Always keep these toxins behind securely locked doors.

8. Plants
Both house plants and outdoor plants can be ingested by our pets. Lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats, while sago palms can cause liver failure in dogs and cats. Keep house plants and bouquets away from your pets.

9. Herbicides
Many herbicides have a salty taste, and our pets will commonly ingest them. Always follow label directions and keep pets off treated areas until they are dry.

10. Outdoor Toxins
Antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts are all substances that animals can find outdoors. Keep these items in securely locked sheds or on high shelves where pets cannot get to them.

If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

~ Article compliments of Pet Sitters International

date Monday, March 21, 2011

 



This video is hard to watch, but it is also very moving & inspiring.

It is also a good reminder of the importance of knowing Pet CPR & First Aid. I myself am trained & certified in Pet First Aid & CPR through the Red Cross.

If anyone is interested in attending a Dog First Aid & CPR class, please let me know. I can lead a casual one, we can have a Vet demonstration, or I can set-up a group class that is more formal - led by a professional trainer of Pet First Aid & CPR.

Just post your responses here, to let me know your thoughts.

Hug your Doggies,
~Pamela~









A man breathed life back into a seemingly dead dog, and it was all captured on video.

Ron Pace, owner of the Canyon Crest Training Center for dogs in Tacoma, Wash., didn't even hesitate when one of his K-9 students, Sugar, suddenly collapsed.

"I noticed right then he wasn't breathing," Pace told KING 5 News in Seattle.

The facility began recording the incident to give to the pooch's veterinarian, and the video was posted on YouTube.

The dog trainer quickly begins chest compressions on the 4-year-old Boxer, the nearly eight-minute-long video shows, while Sugar's owner, Tiffany Kauth, cries hysterically off-camera.

"I was absolutely certain that I was losing my dog," she told KING 5 News.


Ron Pace breathed into the K-9's nose, then use chest compressions to resuscitate the animal.

Pace admitted he did not know how to perform CPR on a dog. The video shows him pushing down on the animal's chest several times before adjusting its tongue, holding its mouth shut and breathing once into its nose.

"It may have not been the correct way to do it and the way that they teach," Pace said. " it's the outcome that's what was important."

After a few more chest compressions and almost two minutes of not breathing, Sugar's chest can be seen rising and falling again in the video. A few minutes later, with his owner beside him, the dog stands, clearly frightened after his ordeal.

"He's amazing," Kauth said of Pace, who has been training dogs since 1976.

A veterinarian later determined Sugar suffers a heart condition [Cardiomyopathy] and must refrain from strenuous activity.

By Michael Sheridan (DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER) - Wednesday, March 9th 2011, 8:40 AM
Read more: http://www.nydailynew...

*** Side note: Ron Pace believes it's not just a coincidence that this dog's name happened to be SUGAR and his life was saved. Ron has dedicated himself to training diabetic alert dogs to alert their owners to dangerous blood SUGAR levels. If you are touched by this story and want to help save a human life by providing them with a trained diabetic alert dog, you can donate to http://www.dogsforcur... a non-profit organization set up to do just that.

date Friday, March 11, 2011

 

 

While conducting research for an upcoming blog post, we came across the following breed list. This is such an awesome compilation of all the recognized breeds (complete with links to their breed standards), that we just had to share it with you all.

We take-our-hats-off  for the AKC, and all they do for dogs. It is a great organization, full of so much helpful and educational information.

We hope you all have as much fun looking through all these breeds as we did,
~ Zena & Pamela 

Which is YOUR favorite breed? =0)

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

American Kennel Club (AKC) Recognized Breeds

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase the dog from a responsible breeder. While the AKC does not endorse or recommend breeders, they do provide a Breeder Referral Search and an Online Breeder Classified service. You should receive AKC registration papers from the breeder when you purchase your dog. (FYI - pictures below are NOT to scale.)

A
Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute
Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dog
American Eskimo Dog American Foxhound American
Staffordshire Terrier
American
Water Spaniel
Anatolian
Shepherd Dog
Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier
Australian
Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd Australian Terrier
B
Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron
Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bernese Mountain Dog
Bedlington Terrier Belgian Malinois Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Tervuren Bernese
Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise Black and Tan Coonhound Black Russian Terrier Bloodhound Bluetick Coonhound
Bichon Frise Black and Tan
Coonhound
Black Russian Terrier Bloodhound Bluetick
Coonhound
Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres
Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon
Boxer Boykin Spaniel Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon
Bull Terrier Bulldog Bullmastiff
Bull Terrier Bulldog Bullmastiff
C
Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cane Corso Cardigan
Welsh Corgi
Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese Shar-Pei Chow Chow
Chesapeake
Bay Retriever
Chihuahua Chinese Crested Chinese
Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-Coated Retriever
Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Curly-Coated Retriever
D
Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux
Dachshund Dalmatian Dandie
Dinmont Terrier
Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux
E
English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Spaniel
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Entlebucher
Mountain Dog
F
Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever French Bulldog
Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated
Retriever
French Bulldog
G
German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer
German Pinscher German
Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees
Glen of
Imaal Terrier
Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greyhound
Greater Swiss
Mountain Dog
Greyhound
H
Harrier Havanese
Harrier Havanese
I
Ibizan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Terrier
Ibizan Hound Icelandic
Sheepdog
Irish Red and
White Setter
Irish Setter Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound
Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound
J
Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin
K
Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz
Keeshond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz
L
Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen
Labrador Retriever Lakeland Terrier Leonberger Lhasa Apso Löwchen
M
Maltese Manchester Terrier Mastiff Miniature Bull Terrier Miniature Pinscher
Maltese Manchester Terrier Mastiff Miniature
Bull Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer
N
Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound
Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Norwegian
Lundehund
Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck
Tolling Retriever
O
Old English Sheepdog Otterhound
Old English Sheepdog Otterhound
P
Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Pekingese Pembroke
Welsh Corgi
Petit Basset
Griffon Vendéen
Pharaoh Hound Plott Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian
Pharaoh Hound Plott Pointer Polish Lowland
Sheepdog
Pomeranian
Poodle Portuguese Water Dog Pug Puli Pyrenean Shepherd
Poodle Portuguese
Water Dog
Pug Puli Pyrenean Shepherd
R
Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler
Redbone
Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler
S
Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Deerhound
Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu
Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Smooth Fox Terrier Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Skye Terrier Smooth Fox Terrier Soft Coated
Wheaten Terrier
Spinone Italiano Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard Schnauzer Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund
Spinone Italiano Staffordshire
Bull Terrier
Standard Schnauzer Sussex Spaniel Swedish Vallhund
T
Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Toy Fox Terrier
Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Toy Fox Terrier
V
Vizsla
Vizsla
W
Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet
Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland
White Terrier
Whippet
Wire Fox Terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Wire Fox Terrier Wirehaired
Pointing Griffon
X
Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintli
Y
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

date Tuesday, March 8, 2011

 
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