Holiday Hazards Winter holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy family and friends. But with all the extra hustle and bustle you may forget to abide by the same pet-proofing measures you follow the rest of the year. We spoke with Dr. Justine Lee, Associate Director of the Pet Poison Helpline and Specialist at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, to discuss 10 common winter holiday hazards she and her colleagues encounter. Some of the items may surprise you. 1. Chocolate As tasty as chocolate can be for us, it can be plenty dangerous for our pets. Worse yet, there are many seemingly innocuous forms of chocolate pets can get into during the holidays — chocolate coins, baking chocolate morsels, even chocolate-covered espresso beans and macadamia nuts can dispense an unhealthy dose of methylxanthines to pets. Cats, it's important to note, can also be adversely affected if they ingest chocolate. But Dr. Lee points out that it's just that most cats have no interest in it. In fact, over 90 percent of chocolate toxicity calls to the Pet Poison Helpline are for dogs. 2. Alcohol Now it's highly unlikely any of your household guests would dare to give Fido or Fluffy a sip of their alcoholic drink, but they may not think twice about a piece of rum cake. Pets may also inadvertently become poisoned if they eat any unbaked bread dough. Once ingested, Dr. Lee Says, "the stomach acts as an artificial oven that basically metabolizes the yeast [from the unbaked dough] into ethanol and carbon dioxide." This can then cause the animal to bloat from the excess carbon dioxide and suffer from alcohol poisoning from the ethanol. 3. Grapes (and Raisins) Grapes and their dried cousins, raisins, are other common hazards for pets during the holidays. It may sound unusual, but any candied raisins found in fruit cake or grapes found on appetizer platters could spell bad news for your pet. "The other reason we get a lot of [grape and raisin poison] calls, Dr. Lee says, "is because holidays are a time when family [and friends] visit — and they are sometimes unaware that grapes and raisins are poisonous to dogs and cats." 4. Medications You may be stickler when it comes to pet-proofing your house, but once the holiday guests arrive that all goes out the window. Traveling household guests often leave open suitcases on the ground, where pets can easily get into prescription medications found Zip-loc bags. Suddenly you have a pet that can get into 20 different medications all at once. 5. Tinsel Anyone who has a cat needs to really watch out for when using this shiny object around the house, Dr. Lee says. In fact, you may be better off forgoing using tinsel on trees, wreaths, or garland this year. Tinsel is thin and sharp and can easily wrap itself around the intestines or ball up in the stomach once ingested. 6. Xylitol It may sound like some exotic instrument, but xylitol is just a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free candies, gum and recipes. When ingested by pets, xylitol may cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure. Don't let your sweet tooth accidentally become hazardous to your pet's health. 7. Plants Winter holidays wouldn't be the same without mistletoe and holly. Unfortunately, these are also two of the more toxic holiday plants to pets, causing severe gastrointestinal disorders, breathing difficulty, even heart failure in extreme cases. The dangers of poinsettias, on the other hand, are overhyped in Dr. Lee's opinion. Of course, while they are not safe for your pet, often the worse that happens to a dog or cat that ingests a small portion of the poinsettia is a bit of mild indigestion. 8. Liquid Potpourri Much like "regular" potpourri, liquid potpourri can freshen up any room. However this concentrated fragrance, which is typically simmered in a pot and then placed in a bottle for later use, can cause severe damage to your pet if ingested. "Cats," Dr. Lee says, "are super curious about [simmering] potpourri and drink the liquid, which then poisons them." Liquid potpourri also contains a cationic detergent, which is corrosive and can cause burns on a pet's tongue, difficulty breathing, and even excess liver enzymes. 9. Holiday Ornaments Although not poisonous, many ornaments have sharp edges that can cause perforations and lacerations to pets that try to chew on the decorations. We wouldn't dare ask you to strip the house of all the joy holiday ornaments can bring, but please safeguard them for the sake of your pet. 10. Electrical Cords Winter holidays bring with them plenty of connected devices —lights, lights, and more lights — along with the electrical cords and outlets needed to power these devices. Curious puppies and kittens are especially intrigued by the exposed wiring, Dr. Lee says, and are therefore most in danger of the burns or fluid accumulation in the lungs associated with electrical shocks. Take care where you place electrical cords and outlets, and when possible, place them out of reach from your pets. Be Prepared As you can see, the dangers for your pets are numerous. But with a little common sense and a lot of preparation you can minimize the danger. One of the most important aspects of being prepared is knowing what to do if an emergency should occur. Dr. Lee has some advice for that as well. "I always tell people to preprogram the contact numbers for your vet, nearest emergency hospital and the Pet Poison Helpline (855) 213-6680." So, what are you waiting for? Do it now! A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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MANAGUA - His corn and bean fields ravaged by drought, Nicaraguan farmer Leonel Sanchez Hernandez grudgingly found a new harvest: tarantulas. He gets a little over a dollar for each of the hairy critters, which breeders sell overseas as pets. His take may not be much, but in Nicaragua, a dollar buys a kilo of rice or a liter (quart) of milk. And in just two weeks, Sanchez Hernandez, his aunt Sonia and cousin Juan caught more than 400 of the spiders. The hunt is playing out in northern Nicaragua, which suffered severe drought from May to September. Sanchez Hernandez's fields were a total loss. The 27-year-old was skittish at first about poking around in underground nests, under rocks and in tree trunks in search of the feisty arachnids. But he donned thick gloves and mustered up the courage, because the alternative was to see his family go hungry. "It is the first time we have gone out to look for tarantulas. We were a bit afraid, but we sucked it up and did it because of the drought," he told AFP. Sanchez Hernandez has a wife and four kids to feed. His aunt is not well off, either — she is a single mother of five children, and was also hit hard by the drought. Their loot secured, the pair traveled more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the outskirts of the capital Managua. There, they handed the tarantulas over to Exotic Fauna, a firm that started this month to breed the spiders for export. With approval from the country's environment ministry, the company is hard at work, setting up glass cases with sawdust beds as part of a project to breed 7,000 tarantulas. "We plan to sell them at a price even higher than that of boas," which go for up to $8 apiece, said Exotic Fauna owner Eduardo Lacayo. Lacayo has invested more than $6,000 in the business. He got the money... from selling turtles. Customers in U.S., ChinaTarantulas are carnivores that eat crickets, worms and newly born mice that breeders drop in their tanks — one tarantula per tank, so they don't fight and kill each other. "It is easier to handle a boa than a spider," Lacayo said. Tarantulas are territorial and when they feel threatened, they bite and secrete a toxic goo that causes allergies and pain, he said. The spiders abound in tropical and arid parts of Central America. Despite the fact that they are so common, lots of people are afraid of them. Females lay about 1,000 eggs when they give birth. The larvae come out in sacs, which the mother places in a spider web. Of that load, anywhere from 300 to 700 will hatch. "We have customers who have confirmed they want this kind of species," Lacayo said, referring to clients in China and the United States. Trade in tarantulas, which can live many years in captivity, is one of the ways Nicaragua is trying to diversify its exports by taking advantage of its rich biodiversity. The country is the second poorest in the Americas, after Haiti. The first to get the bug was Ramon Mendieta, owner of an exotic animal farm in Carazo department, south of the capital. He sells around 10,000 tarantulas a year to clients in the U.S. and Europe. Mendieta, who has been at it for three years, says profit margins are thin because production costs are high. These costs include special care that the tarantulas need to protect them from parasites while in captivity. But there is competition out there. Chile sells a species of tarantula that is less ornery than the Nicaraguan ones. Colombia and the United States are also market players. "There are a lot of people that love to have them at home, some as pets and others because they like danger," said biologist Fabio Buitrago of the Nicaraguan Foundation for Sustainable Development. Source: AFP A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
DUBLIN - An Irish bull destined for the slaughterhouse because he appears to be gay has been saved following a campaign supported by the co-creator of "The Simpsons," animal rights activists said Tuesday. Benjy's failure to inseminate even one of a herd of cows in which he was mixing rendered him useless on his County Mayo farm, and the farmer decided to send him to the abattoir. But after a story in the local newspaper and a campaign picked up by animal rights groups and a gay magazine, the Charolais-breed bull can now look forward to ending his years in an English animal sanctuary. More than 250 people donated money to buy Benjy from the farmer. Among them was Sam Simon, co-creator of the hit U.S. animation series "The Simpsons," whose £5,000 (6,250-Euro; $7,800-U.S.) donation proved decisive. "All animals have a dire destiny in the meat trade, but to kill this bull because he's gay would've been a double tragedy," said Simon, a philanthropist and animal activist. The producer, who has terminal cancer, said he was pleased to help "make Benjy's fate a sanctuary rather than a sandwich," according to a statement issued by animal rights group PETA. PETA worked with Ireland's Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) and gay website TheGayUK, who set up a crowdfunding website and campaign to save Benjy on social media. More than £4,000 had already been raised by members of the public. With Simon's contribution, that total rose to £9,000 — enough to buy the bull and arrange his transportation to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in England next month. However, ARAN spokesman John Carmody told supporters that any extra funds would help the sanctuary in its work. "What could be better than to present Benjy with a Christmas gift that will literally last a lifetime, by giving him a one-way ticket to freedom," he said. Source: AFP A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
With Christmas Puppies heading to homes in he next few weeks, here are some important Puppy Tips: 1. Puppy Food Puppy foods have higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and chloride, in comparison to adult foods, to support a young dog’s rapid growth and development. Consult your veterinarian to determine which diet is best for your puppy. Large breed puppies, for example, can develop painful bone conditions when they are allowed to eat foods with a high calcium to phosphorus ratio due to excessive rapid growth. 2. Dog Toys Puppies love to chew. Protect your shoes, purses and furniture by keeping an adequate supply of dog chew toys to use as replacement therapy. Remember, your new puppy doesn't know any better. So when you catch him with something inappropriate, firmly say no, take it away, and replace it with a dog chew toy. 3. Dog Crate Every puppy needs a place to rest their tired paws. Why not buy a dog crate that can serve as transport and potty training tool, too? Be sure the crate is appropriate for your puppy's size (preferably a bit larger) and buy a soft crate pad to add extra comfort. 4. Grooming Supplies Dog grooming supplies are a necessity to keep your puppy clean and healthy. At a minimum, your grooming kit should include a comb, toothbrush, nail clipper and dog shampoo. Brushing your puppy's coat regularly will help it keep it shiny and healthy, while brushing his or her teeth will not only keep "doggy breath" at bay but also help prevent oral health issues such as periodontal disease. 5. Veterinarian No puppy should be without a veterinarian. He or she is a wealth of knowledge and will help you care for the puppy for many years to come. A veterinarian can also assist you in making important decisions on vaccination schedules, sterilization, and diet based on the individual needs of your puppy. Ask friends and family for a few potential prospects. Then, once you find a veterinarian you trust, visit him or her regularly (at least once a year). A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
We are a nation of people who love to cuddle with our pets. It is undeniable. Long gone are the days when out pets were simply working companions whose place was at the hearth - and that was ifthey were allowed in the house. Now, they not only cuddle with us on the sofa to watch TV, they snuggle with us in our beds, go on long holiday trips in the car, even out to dinner at out favorite cafés. All of this one-on-one time means that all of our furnishings are going to hold the distinct smell of dog, and even the most rabid of dog lovers amongst us may not want the whole house to smell of a dog that needs a good washing – not if we want to enjoy the company of human guests. So how do you get rid of that smelly dog smell? We’re happy to tell you that it’s relatively easy. Start off by taking all of the furniture apart – pillows, blankets and the like – and vacuuming everything thoroughly. If the sofa and chairs have removable slipcovers or cushion covers, take those off for washing (details later). Get into the crevices of the furniture as deep as possible to remove all the hair, and flip the bed mattress to get both sides. On the floors, make sure to get under all of the furniture and in the corners, where “hair bunnies” tend to gather. Next, gather your deodorizing supplies. It’s simple; all you need is a big box or two of baking soda and a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Wash all of your linens, blankets and cushion covers in a mix of oxy powered laundry detergent and a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. There are also pet odor removers available at pet supply stores, but generally speaking, they are not much more effective than the home remedies. On the carpets, bed and furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally, using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Let it all sit overnight so that the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odors. For the bed, you might want to do this in the morning so that you can clean and remake the bed at the end of the day. Follow up by vacuuming all of the baking soda from the bed, carpet and furnishings and returning the bed linens and cushion covers or slipcovers to the furniture. This will get rid of a great deal of the smell, but to really do a thorough job, you might want to rent a carpet cleaning machine with an attachment for furniture – or call a cleaning company to do it for you. Always start with neutralizing as much of the smell as possible before the shampooing, though, or all you will be doing is creating a hybrid of dog smell and perfumed shampoo. Not a good combination. And don’t use carpet shampoo on the furniture, or you could end up with ruined and smelly furniture. Finally, if you do want to use a perfumed product to help neutralize the smell, make sure that it is non-toxic to animals. Many products that are safe for humans are not always safe for dogs. Some home air fresheners – sprays, plug-ins and scented oils – can be harmful to a pet’s health, so when in doubt, just stick with the tried and true baking soda solution. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate in-home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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