It's Too Hot for Dogs in the Car!

The second day of record setting heat as summer begins may cause dog owners to think it's a good idea to bring Fido along.
But, the inside of the car heats up quickly, to levels that are dangerous for most dogs.
In a series of experiments, I left my car with a thermometer in it, in various places, in various conditions, to see how quickly it would heat up.
'I just ran into the store to buy one thing'
In the first experiment, I left the car with the windows shut, in a parking lot for an hour. It was 83 degrees outside. Inside the car, it was 108.
'But I parked in the shade'
Second, I parked the car in the shade at Town Hall, with the windows cracked. It was 81 degrees outside. In two minutes, the temperature inside the car had jumped to 86 degrees. In 10 minutes, it had climbed to 90 degrees.
While dogs have higher body temperatures than humans, the only way they can release heat is through their mouths and the pads of their paws.
Like people, different dogs can tolerate different levels of heat. Older dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke, as are dogs with short noses (pugs, Pekingeses, etc.), dogs with dark coats, and of course, dogs with thick coats. Also, dogs who are overweight or in poor general health.
Signs of heat stroke, according to msnbc.com are excessive panting or drooling, very fast breathing, a dark or bright red tongue or gums, staggering, or bloody diarrhea or vomiting.
Animal experts say the smart thing to do is to leave the dog at home, even if you don't have air conditioning. Leave plenty of water, and put on a fan if you have one.
There are other ways to help your pet stay cool at home. You can put ice in your pet's water. If your dogs are at all amenable, you can run a hose over them. The evaporating water will help them feel cool. Likewise, a cool, wet cloth wrapped or draped around their neck will help. You can freeze the bandana or cloth and put it on your dog just before you take him out walking.

Bycarrie jacobson
http://cheshire.patch.com/articles/its-too-hot-for-dogs-in-the-car

Winter Care for Canines

Winter Care for Canines

General Concerns

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners.

Keep the following precautions in mind:

• Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
• Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
• Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
• Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
• Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
• Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
• Don't leave your dog alone in a car. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Health Tips

Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns:

• Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
• Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
• Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
• Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
• Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
• Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.

Holiday Safeguards

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions:

• The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, the AKC suggests giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed.
• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous.
• Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach.
• Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth.
• Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives.
• Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree.
• Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach.
• The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.

http://www.akc.org/public_education/winter_care.cfm

Top 10 Household Items That Could Harm Your Dog

There are many dangers in and around the home that can spell disaster for your dog. Due to canine curiosity and their tendency to explore the world using their mouth they can ingest common household items that are potentially toxic. Toxicoses account for approximately 15 to 20 percent of animal emergencies at emergency facilities and listed below are the top ten categories of common household items that are most frequently seen.

People food

Just because we can eat it does not mean our food is safe for our canine companions. Chocolate contains large amounts of caffeine and theobromine which dogs do not tolerate well. It can cause clinical signs ranging from gastrointestinal upset, irregular heartbeats, abnormal blood pressure, tremors, seizures and even death in extreme cases. In general, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is. The toxic dose is calculated by factoring in your dog’s weight, the type of chocolate and how much chocolate was ingested. Please contact poison control or your veterinarian with this information to see what steps will need to be taken. Inducing vomiting is recommended if the ingestion was within the last two hours and depending on the dose, your dog may need to be hospitalized so he can receive activated charcoal and IV fluids. Chocolate tends to be one of the more common toxicoses but there are other foods to be aware of.

Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure; macadamia nuts can cause GI upset, tremors and weakness. Avocado contains persin which causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Sugarless gums contain xylitol which can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Signs of low blood sugar are weakness, loss of coordination, tremors and occasionally seizures. Several days after ingesting xylitol dogs can develop elevated liver enzymes and sometimes liver failure. Compared to dog food, people food in general is richer, higher in fat and spicier. Dogs that indulge in people food tend to experience gastrointestinal upset or in severe cases can develop inflammation of the pancreas which usually requires hospitalization. Please keep people food away from your dog’s reach. If you have family or friends coming over inform your guests not to feed your dog and make the kitchen and dining areas off limits for your canine friend.

Rodenticides

Mouse and rat baits are designed to be appetizing to rodents to encourage ingestion, but unfortunately, for the same reason many dogs find these baits appealing as well. By far the most common type is the anticoagulant based rodenticide. Active ingredients for these are typically warfarin based anticoagulants such as brodifacoum, bromodialone and diphacinone. These baits work by blocking vitamin K dependant clotting factors causing massive internal bleeding and death for any rodent that ingests it and the same mechanism applies to dogs as well. Because dogs tend to be bigger than rodents it takes longer for the bleeding to occur, typically within 3-5 days. If the ingestion was recent, induce vomiting and seek veterinary attention. Your veterinarian will prescribe oral vitamin K for 2-3 weeks and may want to check your dog’s clotting times. For the next couple weeks you will need to watch for lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite and pale gums. If you notice any of these symptoms seek veterinary care immediately. In serious cases, blood transfusions are sometimes necessary.

There are two other kinds of rodenticides that are less common. Baits containing cholecalciferol increases the dog’s calcium and phosphorous causing the soft tissue to mineralize. The kidneys are most affected and acute kidney failure is common. Hospitalization with fluid support and medication to lower the serum calcium and phosphorous is usually needed. Bromethalin (note the similarity of the word to Bromodialone) based rodenticides working by acting on the brain. It makes the brain swell up triggering tremors, seizures and eventually death. There is no specific antidote and only supportive care can be given. Of the three, this is the hardest one to treat and is usually fatal. If you have a rodent problem and feel the only solution is to lay out baits please use only anticoagulant based rodenticides since they are the least toxic of the three types and the easiest to treat. Place the baits in a location where your dog cannot reach them and once a day check to see if the baits are still there. Dispose of the baits properly when your rodent problem is gone. If you find a bait missing or has been tampered with and believe your dog ingested some seek veterinary attention immediately.

Keep the package the bait came in and bring it with you to the vet. I know of one case where the owner told their vet that the bait was “D-con” which is an anticoagulant based rodenticide. Unfortunately, this owner used “D-con” as a generic term for all rodenticides. The veterinarian in this case treated the dog with vitamin K. The dog later presented at the emergency clinic with neurological signs because the bait was actually bromethalin based. So be safe and hang on to the packaging material and bring it with you to the vet so there is no confusion.

Insecticides

The most common insecticide that dogs tend to eat is the ant or roach baits. They contain an attractant such as peanut butter or bread which most dogs find appealing. Luckily the insecticides used in the baits today are typically non-toxic in mammals or the dose contained in the baits is so low that serious toxicosis is unlikely. In fact, there is more concern that the container of the bait can end up as a gastric foreign body. For this reason follow the same guidelines for placement as the rodenticides baits. Keep the packaging and contact poison control if you believe your dog ingested an ant or roach bait. Less common insecticides to be aware of are metaldehyde based snail and slug baits and methomyl based fly bait. If you use insecticides be sure to keep your dog away from the area where it was used.

Human pharmaceuticals

This category includes prescription medications and over the counter drugs meant for humans. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic and should never be given to your dog. Never give your dog over the counter medication without first discussing it with your veterinarian. Keep your prescription pills out of reach. The bottles may be child proof but they certainly aren’t dog proof. Don’t leave pills lying around on nightstands or on top of counters for example. If possible take pills in the bathroom with the door closed so that if you accidentally drop a pill your dog cannot run in and gobble it up. If your dog does get into your pills contact poison control with the drug name and approximate number of tablets he ate in order to determine what treatment your dog may need.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals

Some pills that veterinarians prescribe for dogs are flavored to make them more palatable and apparently some taste so good that dogs think they are treats. It is important to keep all medication for your dog away in a safe place. If your dog needs medications be sure you understand the dosing schedule and ask any questions you might have about the medication before you leave the veterinarian’s office. Never apply flea and tick products meant for your dog on any feline companions you may have.

Plants

This is more of a problem with cats but I have seen puppies that chewed on plants and sometimes adult dogs will chew on plants when their stomach is bothering them. Some toxic plants to be aware of are Narcissus and hyacinth bulbs, oleander, rhododendrons, cyclamen, amaryllis, yew and chrysanthemum. Know the species you have in your garden, do some research to find out which are toxic and which are safe and try to only plant non-toxic varieties of plants. If you’re not sure whether your plants are safe, keep your dog out of the garden and watch him around houseplants.

Fertilizer

Another reason to keep your dog out of the garden is fertilizer which often smells like food to dogs. There is a wide variety of fertilizers, but they typically contain varying amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous with insecticides and herbicides as common additives. Restrict access to newly-fertilized gardens and garden sheds or garages where fertilizer is kept and keep the packaging as a reference just in case. Or use an organic, pet-friendly alternative.

Cleaning products

Many of these products are just as toxic for our dogs as they are to us. Store all cleaning products away when not in use and consider using natural, organic cleaning solutions instead. If your dog has ingested a bleach-containing product or a drain cleaner, do NOT induce vomiting. As always contact poison control with the product name and the approximate amount ingested and seek emergency veterinary care.

Heavy metals

Zinc and lead are the most common culprits. The most common cause of zinc toxicosis is ingestion of pennies. Pennies minted since 1983 are primarily zinc and some dogs love to ingest coins. Clinical signs are gastrointestinal upset and anemia from red blood cell destruction. Surgery is usually necessary to remove the pennies to prevent further absorption of zinc. The best treatment is prevention so keep your pocket change in a jar out of your dog’s reach.Thankfully, lead toxicosis is becoming less common due to industry safety guidelines. It is no longer a common component of paint but keep in mind thatwhen renovating older homes that lead may be present in paint chips and dust and your dog should be kept away during periods of renovation.

Miscellaneous chemicals

Antifreeze is very sweet and attractive to dogs. They appear drunk after ingesting even small amounts. They appear fine after a few hours but go into kidney failure as few days later. The toxic component is ethylene glycol. There is an antidote but it must be given shortly after ingestion so if you suspect ingestion seek veterinary attention immediately. Much less toxic is propylene glycol based antifreeze, so whenever possible purchase propylene glycol based antifreeze. If you do use ethylene glycol based antifreeze be sure to prevent access and be sure to dispose of it properly as it is toxic to wildlife as well. Many other chemicals pose dangers as well such as paint, paint thinners, solvents and pool chemicals. If a product is labeled ‘toxic’ then assume it’s toxic to animals as well and store chemicals out of reach.

Be prepared by considering toxic emergencies when putting together a first aid kit for your dog. Please check out our first aid guide for dog owners for more information on building a first aid kit. Be sure to include a bottle of fresh sealed 3% hydrogen peroxide and a bulb syringe so you can induce vomiting when necessary, saline eye solution in case you need to flush the eye and dishwashing detergent to bathe your dog with in the event of skin contamination. Lastly, always keep the number of your regular veterinarian, emergency clinic, and poison control handy. The number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435. It’s a poisonous world out there but with knowledge and prevention you can help keep your dog safe.

Remember that prevention is the best treatment!

About Dr. Kristy Conn
Dr. Kristy Conn graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and did her clinical year at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she fell in love with emergency and critical care medicine. She has practiced emergency medicine at various clinics almost exclusively for the past 10 years, in addition to volunteering in shelter medicine, checking on the health of arrivals and providing low cost spay/neuters and immunizations to recently adopted animals. She is a member of the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps which helps provide veterinary care to animals affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. She resides in Long Island with her beloved mixed breed dog named Buster.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.

Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them rawhide strips, Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

National Pet Wellness Month

National Pet Wellness Month this October focuses on educating pet owners about wellness examinations, disease prevention, and pet health insurance.
The "Pet Wellness Starts With a Plan" campaign will continue through the year as part of the National Pet Wellness initiative.
Thousands of veterinary clinics now participate in the initiative. The AVMA and Fort Dodge Animal Health launched National Pet Wellness Month in 2004. This year, Veterinary Pet Insurance joins as a campaign sponsor.
The National Pet Wellness initiative has emphasized disease prevention and twice-a-year wellness examinations since its inception. Educating clients about pet health insurance also fits into the initiative's mission. Studies have shown that, on average, clients with pet health insurance schedule more veterinary visits. Insurance is available for routine wellness care as well as injuries and illnesses.
The "Pet Wellness Starts With a Plan" campaign will reach out to pet owners through educational materials at veterinary clinics and through national public relations encouraging pet owners to contact their local veterinarian.
Veterinary clinics that have registered with the National Pet Wellness initiative will receive a free education kit containing the following Pet Wellness Plan items:
• Checklists—one for dogs, one for cats—to help identify the patients disease risk via questions about behavior, environment, health history, and other factors. The veterinarian can use the results to assist in developing an individual wellness and vaccination protocol. Additional questions address pet health insurance and provide staff with an opportunity to discuss coverage.
• A roll-out brochure and colorful poster to inform clients about wellness examinations, disease prevention, and pet health insurance.
• Staff buttons to encourage clients to ask the clinic's personnel about pet wellness plans.

Clinics that have not yet registered with the
National Pet Wellness initiative
can sign up at
www.npwm.com.

Dog-Park Manners and Safety

Dog parks were developed to give urban canines a place to run free and to be used by socially responsible dog owners. Which is nice is theory but, you must remember that not every dog owner is tuned into their dog’s behavior. You need to be responsible for your dog and yourself. Follow whatever guidelines and permit requirements your dog park has. If a dog that comes to the park is a continuous problem, and you have a group of park users who think so then look into whom the governing body of your park is and summit a formal petition to have that dog’s right to use the park revoked. If only your dog as a problem with this dog you need to simple avoid using the park at the same time, if you noticed the problem so has the other dog owner. Try simple asking them what days and time they come to the park and agree not to come at the same time. Dogs are just like people they are not going to like every dog the meet, and they certainly do not want a friendship with them, and that is ok, just do not encourage interaction with those dogs.

Vistit Angell's Cafe for more info.

Westchester Dog Park

• Bark Park at Baldwin Farm Delfino Park Main St. White Plains, NY
  
• Canine Commons at Beaver Dam Park Beaver Dam Road Katonah, NY
  
• Cedar Lane Dog Park 235 Cedar Lane Ossining, NY 10562
  
• Elmsford Dog Park North Evarts and Winthrop Ave Elmsford, NY
  
• Kingsland Point Dog Park Palmer Ave. in Philipse Manor Sleepy Hollow, NY
  
• Mount Kisco Bark Park 295 N Bedford Rd. (Ice House Rd.) Mount Kisco, NY 10549
  
• New Cortlandt Dog Park 1 Heady Street Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
  
• Sycamore Dog Park Long Pond Rd. Carmel, NY
  
• Ward Acres Park between Broadfield Rd. and Pinebrook Bivd. New Rochelle, NY

Questions asked in July of 2009 Part 2

Kim of New Rochelle also asked:
How can we care for the joints of our aging Rottweiler, his legs shake once awhile when he defecates?

As our pets age so do their joints, whenever you notice limping, stiffness, or a change in gait, it is important to have you dog examined by your veterinarian. Different breeds of dog’s age at different rates, once the vet has determined that it is just natural aging and not an injury that needs treatment, you should start your pet on glucosamine and chondroitin, these supplements play an important role in maintaining optimal joint function. Healthy articular (joint) cartilage is crucial to joint utility. Joints generally get worse with time, so the sooner the supplement is started, the more opportunity your pet will have to respond. This supplement can also be started early in your dog’s life as a preventive measure, it should not be started until your dog is over a year of age and the joints are fully developed. This can be especially important for maintaining an active life in large breed dogs, working dogs, and those dogs predisposed to joint problems. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can also be used to help support cartilage following joint surgery. Two brands that recommended by vets are Cosequin and Synovi G3, the come in various formulations, but the chewables are the easiest to use just give them like a treat. Cosequin is also, made for cats and horses and recommended for the same reasons.

Questions asked in July of 2009 Part 1

Kim of New Rochelle asked:
When if ever in a dog’s life should you feed your dog more than once a day?

Young puppies should be fed small meals 3 to 4 times daily depending on the breed: their digestive system is not yet developed to handle one large feeding per day. Young puppies are also susceptible to Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar; small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, and Pugs are at higher risk then a larger dog such as a Boxer. After 6 months of age dogs can be fed 2 times daily; morning and evening. In general feeding dogs 12 hours apart, helps them stay full throughout the day. Small dogs can not fit a whole day’s food portion into their stomach at one time. However, the main reason to avoid once a day feedings is a condition called Gastric Dilation-Volvulus or bloat; large breed deep chested dogs are most susceptible, i.e. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. It is seen in dogs that eat one large meal daily and play or exercise after this meal. It often goes unnoticed because dogs cannot verbalize their distress. Symptoms include salivating, panting, flatulence, agitation, futile vomiting, and swelling in the abdomen. More often than not, when your dog is eating large portions and without properly breaking down the food before starting digestion, it leads to one, if not all of these uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions.

Pet Care Services

Are you tired of feeling guilty when you leave your dog each morning, knowing it's going to be at least 9 hours before he gets outside again?

Maybe you're sick of racing home at lunch to make sure your puppy gets a potty break?

Or are you anxious about what minor destruction your canine companion will wreak on your shoes while you're gone?

Relax, you're not a bad pet-parent. You can honestly find a way to provide your dog's daily exercise and entertainment needs.

Angell's Cafe is now offering full Service pet care to meet your needs and those of your pet.

• Dog walking - while working on the basics
• Pet Sitting
• Pet Transport
• Much Much More

Visit Us @ www.angellscafe.com