It is not uncommon for an animal to ingest a poison or toxic substance. If your dog is behaving abnormally, or if you have witnessed it ingesting a toxic substance, you should immediately take your dog to a veterinarian for treatment, as it may have poisoned itself.
If you find the substance that was ingested, bring this to the veterinarian for examination, along with any vomit samples. This will aid in the diagnosis and treatment plan. Symptoms: Your pet may be experiencing unexplained vomiting, diarrhea, or may appear to be weak (lethargic) to the point of being unable to move. Causes: Poison intoxication occurs when a dog ingests a foreign material, fluid or otherwise, that causes a physical reaction. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Diagnosis: Poisons and toxic substances come in many forms, and it is often difficult to give an exact diagnosis if the substance is not known and identified. If your veterinarian is unsure as to what was ingested, the dog's symptoms will be treated as they become obvious. When possible, a blood work-up will be ordered to determine the exact cause of the poisoning. Treatment: The goal of treatment is to neutralize the ingested substance to prevent further absorption into the dog's body, and to provide supportive measures to your pet. When possible, an antidote based upon what was ingested will be administered. There are several treatment options to assist in the removal of the toxic substance and the rehabilitation of your dog, including supportive behavior to alleviate pain and control body temperature. If you dog is unable to breathe, an emergency airway must be established quickly to prevent asphyxiation. If your pet's heart has stopped, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or massage of the heart (cardiac massage) may be required to regain a proper heartbeat. The use of enemas and activated charcoal will help to prevent further absorption into the body, and external oils can be used to prevent absorption into the skin as the substance passes through the body. Your veterinarian may also choose gastric lavage (internal washing). Using a tube passed into the stomach and filled with water to flush the dog's system, the substance will be washed directly from the stomach. Diuretic drugs will enhance the secretion of the substance through the urinary tract. For serious conditions, filtering of the kidneys with a dialysis machine may be recommended to remove the substance from the dog's blood and kidneys. Living and Management: You will need to observe your dog to track its progression. Following treatment, your veterinarian will continue to monitor your pet and determine whether its condition is improving or worsening. Fluid therapy will be recommended to keep your pet hydrated. Prevention: The best method of prevention is to keep all harmful substances out of reach in and around the home. However, accidents do happen so be proactive by keeping a few phone numbers readily available. The three most important contacts for suspected animal poisonings include your family veterinarian, your local emergency veterinary hospital, and the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680).
0 Comments
When making the first introduction, it is best done in steps. The last thing you want to do is frighten your puppy to the point that he is reluctant or unwilling to get into his grate. Ideally, you want your puppy to get into the crate at your command. But why?
Benefits of Crate Training: There are a lot of good reasons for crate training. For one, it is an essential part of housebreaking. Puppies will not usually soil their bed. Therefore, if the crate is set up as a resting space, the puppy will wait until he leaves the crate to do his business. This will put you in control of where and when your puppy relieves himself. You will find that the crate is also useful for sequestering the dog when you have company over, car travel, and for making sure that the puppy is safe at night -- i.e., not eating thing left within reach, tearing at furniture, or soiling on the floors. Think of the crate as a little cave in which your puppy can feel safe and secure, and he will respond positively to it. Making Crate Training a Pleasant Experience: To avoid making crate training a traumatic experience for the puppy, make sure that he feels at ease throughout the entire process. You can do this by placing an old shirt or blanket on the bottom of the crate so that he is comfortable. A puppy must never be locked up and left alone if it is his first time inside the crate. This can be a very traumatic experience for your puppy and will only make it more difficult for you the next time you try and get him to go inside the crate and behave. Instead, tempt the puppy to enter the crate by placing some kibble inside. Be generous with your praises, as he enters the crate to eat the kibble. If he does not make a move to enter the crate, pick him up and slowly put him inside with the door left open. Reassure your puppy by petting him if he seems agitated and frightened. Once the puppy is inside the crate for a few moments, call him to come out of the crate to join you. Praise him with simple words and pats when he comes to you. After practicing going in and out of the crate willingly several times, once the puppy appears to be at ease inside the crate and does not show any signs of fright, then you can close the door slowly. Keep it closed for one minute, as long as he remains calm all throughout. After that, open the door and invite him out while generously praising him. What if He Whines? Once you have passed the initial hurdle of familiarizing your puppy with the crate, you will want to get him comfortable to going into the crate and staying there quietly. Similar to before, the best trick for getting a puppy to go inside a crate willingly is to tempt him with food. Fill a bowl with a small amount of puppy food while you let him watch. Let him sniff the food and then slowly place the bowl of food inside the crate. Once the puppy is inside, slowly close the door (so as not to startle the puppy) and allow him to eat. He will likely finish his food inside and only begin to whine or bark after he is done with his meal. When he starts to bark and whine, tap the door of the crate and say “No” in a strong, commanding (but not loud) voice. With repetition, this will make him stop crying and eventually train him not to whine when he is placed inside his crate. You will gradually increase the time the puppy stays inside the crate. If he whines, wait for him to quiet down -- or five minutes, whichever is first -- before you open the door to let him out. Praise him when he comes out, and take him outside to relieve himself immediately. Repeat this a few times a day. After some time, your puppy will begin to feel at ease inside his crate and may even go to his crate on his own. This is the time to lengthen his stay inside, although you must keep in mind that there is also a limit to the maximum number of hours that your puppy can spend inside his crate before becoming uncomfortable. A puppy should not be made to spend almost an entire day in his crate, nor is it right to imprison a puppy inside his crate for long periods of time. He must be given breaks to walk and play around. The purpose of a crate is so that the puppy/dog can be tucked inside overnight when you are sleeping and cannot supervise him, when you need to travel, and when you need him to be sequestered from visitors or children. It can also be a very useful tool in housetraining. You can keep him inside his crate until the scheduled outside time -- when you can take him out to relieve himself – and in so doing, the puppy learns how to control his body functions as an internal schedule is being set, so that he becomes accustomed to the times when he will be going outdoors. This method works well because it is a dog’s natural inclination not to soil in his own bedding. He will learn not to eliminate until he is let out of his crate, and later, at the scheduled time. Whether or not you have a vegetarian dog, these non-meat biscuits will be snapped up — literally!
Hands-on time: 15 mins. to 25 mins. Baking time: 45 mins. to 60 mins. Total time: 60 mins. to 1 hrs 25 mins. Yield: about 42 larger (about 3 1/2") biscuits, 60 smaller (round) biscuits Ingredients
Tips from our Vets:
10: Your Schedule: When choosing your dog, take into consideration your schedule and the amount of time you can put into your new job as canine parent. If your schedule is such that nobody is around for periods of four to eight hours at a time, then you're going to need some help. In fact, if this is the case, then you might want to avoid getting a puppy altogether. Some breeds are more active than others, so if you don't have time to take your dogs on some long walks and runs, then you should avoid breeds like huskies, Labrador retrievers, border collies and Jack Russell terriers. It's probably best to stay away from mixes of those breeds as well. If your schedule permits, though, feel free to get an active breed, as they can help you stay active as well. Vet Bills: Dog owners spend an average of $248 per year at the vet [source: humanesociety.org]. 9: Puppy or Adult? How much time you have is the main consideration when deciding whether or not to get a puppy or an older dog. Raising a puppy can sometimes feel like a full-time job. They have a seemingly endless amount of energy and require a lot of attention when it comes to house breaking and training them. You can count on it taking several weeks, if not longer, to properly "potty" train a puppy. Plan on lots of middle of the night trips outside, not unlike a newborn baby's schedule. An older dog may already be house broken and crate trained, and if they aren't, they'll likely be a quicker study. Adult dogs are also more likely to be through their destructive chewing phase. Finally, animal rights advocates will tell you that there are more adult dogs that need adopting, which is always something to consider. 8: Your Budget: When making any kind of decision for your family, money is always something to keep in mind.Choosing a dog should be no different, because they can cost a lot of money in the long run. If you plan on buying a specific breed and skipping the adoption route, then the purchase price is a serious consideration. Breeds range from a few hundred dollars for Labs and golden retrievers all the way up to the thousands for select or rare breeds. If you adopt, you can count on about 50 dollars in start-up costs like vaccinations (ie.,shots) and spaying or neutering. Most rescue groups also require a "donation" to help with their overhead. This can run a couple hundred dollars, too. Also consider the size of the dog. Premium dog food is expensive, and large dogs can eat you out of house and home. Vet bills can mount up on dogs prone to certain types of disease. Some say that pure-bred dogs are more susceptible to sickness than your average mutt or "pound puppy." Vet Bills: Dog owners spend an average of $248 per year at the vet [source: humanesociety.org]. 7: Temperament: Choosing a dog with the right temperament is extremely important, especially if you have children in the home. Some breeds are well known as child-unfriendly, and they aren't necessarily all big dogs. Small terriers and spaniels are not well regarded as pets if you have kids. Neither are poodles, chow chows, pinschers and schnauzers. Conversely, some of the larger dogs can be the most gentle with kids. Retrievers are legendary for their temperament, and make great family dogs if they're well exercised. You can also add boxers, mastiffs, hound dogs, collies and St. Bernards to the list of dogs suited for kids. Whatever kind of breed you get, be sure to spend lots of time socializing them and making sure they can be trusted around your children -- and that your children can be trusted around them. 6: Should You Rescue? Animal advocates will tell you firmly that you should never buy a dog from a breeder or a pet store. Why? There are between 6 and 8 million new dogs and cats admitted to shelters each year, and sadly, 3 to 4 million of them are euthanized [source: Humane Society]. On the bright side, the other 3 to 4 million are adopted by families looking for a loyal and loving new member. Rescued pets can be great additions to your family and you can teach your children a valuable lesson in helping to take care of those that need it. You might literally be saving a dog from certain death when you adopt from a shelter. And if you're into specific breeds, take heart in knowing that 25 percent of dogs available in shelters are pure bred. There are usually a few nominal fees associated with adopting from a shelter. Many people who adopt from shelters continue to support them through donations after witnessing the work being done. Save a Life: Sixty percent of the dogs in shelters are euthanized because of a lack of shelter space and available homes [source: aspca.org]. 5: Do You Have Allergies? One thing to consider when picking out a family dog is whether or not anyone in the house has any kind of pet allergies. The good news is that dog allergies are less common than catallergies. Pet dander (a combo of dead skin cells and dried proteins from skin secretions and saliva ) on dogs, as with cats, is what humans are allergic to. This is the flaky skin that you'll see on the fur of dogs and cats. Even though fur isn't necessarily the culprit, it can't hurt to have a dog that doesn't shed as much if you or your children are allergic to dander. The American Kennel Club lists the following breeds as having little pet dander and being ideal for allergy sufferers: Chinese crested, bichon frise, Bedlington terrier, Maltese, poodle and schnauzer. 4: Breed Selection: Picking out the breed of your dog is a lot of fun and requires a good bit of research. The Internet is a great place to do this kind of research, with thousand of Web sites detailing everything you need to know about every breed on the planet. The American Kennel Club Web site is a good starting point for researching breeds, as are adoption sites like Petfinder.com and the American Humane Society. If you're interested in adopting, the shelter sites in your area likely have photos of and information about the available pups. From there, research the specifics of the breed or breeds of the dogs that interest you. Look at the things we've listed so far in this article, like size and overall temperament, as well as how they do with kids. If you aren't picky, then narrow it down to a large pool of breeds and then pick a pup out at a shelter near you. 3: Picking a Dog From a Shelter: If you go the shelter route, then you're going to have your choice of what's there. This means a broad range of breeds, shapes and sizes of all ages to choose from. Do your homework before you get there to help you narrow down your selection. It can be tough to get an accurate reading of a dog's energy when they're in a cage. Ask if you can take the dog out into a larger area or even take the dog on a short walk. Once you get the pooch away from other dogs, you'll get a better sense of their personality. Renowned dog trainer Cesar "The Dog Whisperer" Millan recommends asking the shelter employees about temperament and disposition. His feeling is that the shelter worker is most concerned about making the right match. He also recommends checking your emotions at the door and not letting the circumstance of a particular dog outweigh finding the best match for your family. 2: Male or Female? Deciding whether or not you want a male or a female dog is a huge part of the process when getting your family dog. Male dogs are typically more affectionate and need more attention. Females can be more independent and inconsistent with people. That's not to say that females aren't as loving or into attention, but they're more prone to also enjoy their "alone" time. On the other hand, females are generally believed to be easier to train and stay more focused. Male dogs tend to retain their puppylike tendencies for longer, with some never really growing out of them. Both male and female dogs can be good with children, but some say that females are a better choice because of their nurturing nature. Having your dog spayed or neutered is the responsible thing to do these days, so you shouldn't have to worry about reproduction. Spay or Neuter: The Breakdown Around 75 percent of the pets that people own are spayed or neutered. It costs less to spay or neuter your pet than to raise a puppy for a year, and the benefits far outweigh any costs [source: aspca.org]. 1: Your Space: The amount of available room you have for your dog is a key consideration for which one you choose to invite home. If you live in a small, one-bedroom apartment, go with a breed that weighs less than 50 pounds. Dogs that have an overabundance of energy are also not suited for small spaces.
If you live in an apartment or condominium, you also have your neighbors to consider, so avoid dogs that bark a lot if you can. Citronella spray anti-bark collars are available to curb this behavior in a safe way. If you have a single-family home then, ideally, you have a fenced-in yard for the dog to exercise and do his business. If your yard isn't fenced, think about getting it done for your own convenience. Being able to let your dog out for a bathroom visit instead of having to take a walk can be a real advantage. Sudden Onset of Vomiting in Dogs
It is not uncommon for dogs and cats to vomit from time to time. They might have eaten something that upset their stomachs, or just have sensitive digestive systems. However, it becomes acute when the vomiting does not stop and when there is nothing left in the stomach to throw up except bile (a yellow fluid). It is important you take your pet to a veterinarian in these types of cases. While vomiting may have a simple, straightforward cause, it may be an indicator of something far more serious. It is also problematic because it can have a wide range of causes, and determining the correct one may be quite complicated. Symptoms
Bring a sample of the vomit to the veterinarian. If there is a lot of mucus, an inflamed intestine may be the cause. Undigested food in the vomit can be due to food poisoning, anxiety, or simply overeating. Bile, on the other hand, indicates an inflammatory bowel disease or inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If bright red blood is found, the stomach could be ulcerated. However, if the blood is brown and looks like coffee grounds, the problem may be in the intestine. Finally, strong digestive odors are usually observed when there is an intestinal obstruction. The veterinarian will generally look in your pet’s mouth for foreign objects that may be wedged inside, such as a bone. Enlarged tonsils are another good indicator for this. The pet’s temperature will be taken and an examination of the abdomen will be done. If it turns out to be no more than a passing incident, the veterinarian may ask you to limit the diet to clear fluids and to collect stool samples over that period as the underlying cause may be passed along in the stool. Occasionally, the animal's body may use vomiting to clear the intestines of toxins. Treatment Treatment will be recommended according to the underlying cause behind the vomiting; some possibilities include:
Living and Management Always follow the recommended treatment plan from your veterinarian. Do not experiment with medications or food. Pay close attention to your pet and if it does not improve, return to your veterinarian for a follow-up evaluation. QUESTION #1: Most cats have how many whiskers?
a) 18 b) 24 c) 32 d) 56 Please post your guess..... |
The PAW Blog...
For the LOVE of Pets The goal of this blog is to help educate pet owners by sharing pet health facts and pet news articles...and ... sometimes put a smile on your face with a cute or funny pet story! Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
Search for any topic...
|