Frostbite takes paws of cat

By: Tanya Stroman
Many times, particularly in the south, we will coop ourselves and our pets in the house to avoid any dangers during this time. But don’t let the weather control the exercise and quality time your pets should be enjoying.

I am no way saying that your pets should be locked outside . Yes , in my opinion that’s abuse. But our pets aren’t feeble beings and there are ways for them to enjoy themselves during the winter months with creativity and safety precautions in use.

Winter has the benefit of being a great time to enjoy fresh air and exercise. I am going to provide you with precautions for you and your pet to keep safe during this time. Here is a top list of advice to help your pets cope with winter weather.

1) One misconception among people is that cats and dogs can withstand coldtemperatures simply because they have fur. Let’s straighten this out now, while it’s true that some large dog breeds are well equipped for the cold weather, others are more sensitive. Provide your fair-weathered pets with a coat and boots.

2) I am not a believer in keeping my cats outdoors. That’s for several reasons. Yet I do understand some owners don’t mind their cats outside for a couple of hours. Know this, cats usually don’t stay outdoors for long when it’s very cold. Yes their temperament for cold is the same as ours. They will protect themselves from cold weather so help them. Always check the upcoming forecast before letting your cat out. If you are not going to be home to let your cat back into the house, don’t let it out.



A list of winter-related conditions to watch out for in your pet:

Frostbite

When animals are exposed to freezing temperatures for an extended period, they are vulnerable to frostbite on their extremities, including ear tips, foot pads and belly. When a dog or cat is exposed to cold temperatures, its body reacts in stages:

1) Your pet’s fur provides insulation just like us when wearing a coat. Their hairs, when exposed to cold air, undergo pilo-erection. This is like you and I getting goose bumps. The hairs “stand up” trapping the air in that layer. This air is warmed by the body and adds additional insulation.

2) When the body’s core temperature decreases, an involuntary reflex by the skeletal muscles known as “shivering” is triggered to generate heat and warm you up. Animals, like humans, experience this same reaction.

3) When the body is really getting cold and the animal’s life may be at risk, the body responds by vasoconstricting the peripheral tissues. This means the body is being selective in where it is sending warm blood.
The organs are the most important to keep both an animal and human alive so that blood is circulating in the core of the body (heart, liver, kidney lungs,) and shuts down temporally by constricting blood vessels to the extremities until the body’s normal temperature is attained.

4) If a cat or dog is still exposed to the cold by this stage, frostbite will develop. In extreme cases, frostbite can mean the loss of limbs, toes and ear tips.

If you suspect your animal is suffering from frostbite, start administering first aid immediately to avoid permanent damage. Please ensure you seek veterinary assistance as frostbite can be dangerous if left untreated.

Here are some first aid tips to keep your pet safe:

1) Warm the affected area slowly with warm water using towels.

2) If it is a limb or paw that is frozen, soak it only in a bath or bowl of warm water

3) Dry gently after you have the warmed the area

4) Do not rub or massage the frozen tissue.

5) Do not apply snow or ice.

6) Do not immerse your pet completely in a bath this will cause the body temperature to decrease and cause hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Make sure that frostbite is treated. If frostbite goes untreated, hypothermia can develop. Hypothermia is an abnormal lowering of the body’s temperature. This is a serious condition that can cause unconsciousness, shock and even the death of a pet. Be careful, however, as frostbite alone is not a guaranteed precursor to hypothermia.

If you suspect hypothermia, it is best to seek medical treatment from your veterinarian as this condition can worsen without proper care. While they are being transported to the veterinarian there are a number of methods you can use to stabilize your pet :

1) Warm your pet slowly using blankets
2) Put warm water in plastic bottles then wrap in towels to prevent burns.
3) Use plastic zip lock bags filled with uncooked rice that you warm in the microwave for 1-2 minutes then wrap in a towel.

Conclusion

• Provide winter footwear for pets – they may squirm and make a fuss at first, but their paws will thank you!
• Avoid too much walking on salt – wipe your pet’s feet!
• Don’t leave pets in the car during cold weather
• Keep pets away from the fireplace

Every time I turn on the computer or get a notification from my smartphone, there is another recall on pet foods and treats. I'm sure many pet parents like me are concerned about the food they are giving their furry baby. What is going on? Is there a brand of pet food we can trust?

Katie Burns wrote an article in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association on February 15, 2013 . She states that pet food recalls are virtually unchanged. She states what has changed is the media attention on this issue.

Well lets look at the pet foods that have been recalled lately.

<strong>Pet Foods Recalled</strong>

Solid Gold has issued a recall for two of their dog foods with specific batch codes as a precautionary measure. To date according to Solid Gold, no cases of salmonella have been linked to these foods.

Apex Dog Food has issued a voluntary recall for all of their dry dog foods manufactured on January 24, 2012. The recalled foods were distributed only in South Carolina. To date, Apex Dog Food claims there have been no cases of salmonella linked to these foods.

Canidae has issued a voluntary recall of four of their dog foods, at this time the recall covers only dry dog foods with production codes with both a number “3” in the 9th digit and an “X” in the 10th or 11th digit – and a best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013. These products were distributed in the following states: Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Wellness Dog Food has issued a voluntary recall on one of their dog foods with specific best by dates. According to Wellness, they no longer conduct business with Diamond Pet Foods and none of their other dog foods were affected by the salmonella outbreak.

Natural Balance has issued a voluntary recall on some of their dry dog food options. To date, Natural Balance claims that no cases of canine salmonella poisoning have been linked with their foods and none of the recalled foods have tested positive for contamination.


Kirkland Dog Food has issued a voluntary dog food recall on a number of their dry dog food products.

Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula with a “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13.

Kasel Associated Industries is recalling all products manufactured at its Denver, Colorado, facility from April 20, 2012, thru September 19, 2012.
The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Honest Kitchen had voluntarily recalled five lots of its Verve, Zeal and Thrive dog foods because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.



The following brands are also affected by the recall. No specifics have been provided as to the recall.

4Health.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul.
Country Value.
Diamond.
Diamond Naturals.
Premium Edge.
Professional.
Taste of the Wild.

<strong>Why Are These Pet Foods Recalled</strong>

The Diamond Dog Food plant located in Gaston, South Carolina tested positive for the presence of salmonella. As a result of this, all pet food companies that conducted business with this plant within a specific time period are recalling their pet food products.

These recalls have just as much to do with human safety as pet safety. Dan McChesney PhD, Director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance at the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine says the pet food recall involves Salmonella contamination. He believes pet foods are safe.

Salmonella poses a much higher risk for pet owners than to the pets themselves. There have been no confirmed cases of Salmonellosis in pets from pet food recalls, though human illnesses have been reported. In most cases Salmonellosis in pets is associated with raw home made diets.
Dr. Kate KuKanich Assistant Professor of small animal internal medicine at Kansas State University came to this conclusion in her research.

Matter of fact the ratings of the pet food industry are still very high when it comes to safety. And efforts are continuously made to place stronger emphasis on pet food safety. So yes the awareness of pet food recalls continued to rise. But pet parents , what that means is that pet food safety, which is already good will get better. So Relax.

<strong>What To Do If Your Pet Food is Recalled</strong>

If you have a bag of dog food that is covered under the recall at this time

1) Stop feeding the product even if your dog shows no signs of salmonella poisoning .
2) It is also important that any time you handle this food; you wash your hands thoroughly to avoid contracting salmonella poisoning.
3) Check your pet food's company website to find out the procedure of compensation for the return.

<strong>Signs of Poisoning in Dogs</strong>

While most dogs are hardy and can bounce back from a salmonella infection once the offending source has been removed, this is not always true. In some dogs such as those taking antibiotics, the elderly, the newborn and those with pre-existing medical conditions, salmonella can have a devastating effect. Some of the common signs of salmonella poisoning in a dog include the following:

Fever
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Mucus in Stool
Anorexia
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion
Weight loss
Rapid heart rate
Blood in the stool
Low white blood cell count
Low platelet levels
Low albumin
Non-regenerative anemia
Electrolyte imbalances

If your dog displays any of these symptoms it is important to take them to your veterinarian immediately in order to prevent more serious symptoms. One of the most commonly seen symptoms to develop in cases of salmonella is dehydration resulting from chronic diarrhea. Dehydration can be prevented by your vet by the administration of IV fluids. Your vet may also recommend performing a number of tests to ensure that your dog is suffering from salmonella poisoning. In a case where a dog is suffering from a severe case of salmonella poisoning the vet may recommend an antimicrobial. It is also advised to put a dog on a 48 hour food restricted diet if possible in order to help to eliminate the cause of the infection.

<strong>Switching Your Dog To A New Food</strong>

Switching your dog to a new food is always recommended after a recall. Most dogs, when undergoing a sudden diet change may experience some gastrointestinal discomfort. <a href="http://www.frrco.com/123513">Happy Walk Happy Dog</a> is a distributor of <a href="http://www.frrco.com/123513">Flint River Ranch</a>. <a href="http://www.frrco.com/123513">Flint River Ranch</a> dog food formula is <strong>oven-baked</strong> and comes in an easy-to-eat size kibble. It's ingredients contain Rice and Wheat which is easily digestible for dogs. There is no corn or by products of meat. It has 23% protein and is concentrated so your dog becomes full on less food. That helps in controlling your dog's weight. Please contact me or visit my website for more info and to order at <a href="http://www.frrco.com/123514">Flint River Ranch</a>

A day or two ago, I wrote in my blog, Scoop the Poop about how my heart was torn because I had to let go of a rescue dog I recently adopted. He was over aggressive , scared my pets and me as well because he has an unpredictable temper and he bites. It was the main reason he was placed in the shelter. The Northeast Georgia Humane society has been great because they kept him alive and put him in training with a behaviorist. I was another in line to adopt this pet who thought I would be able to handle him and his temper with the love and attention I would shower him. Well he awoke me from my fantasy and I recognized it was too much for me to handle. I felt ashamed because I pride myself on being able to handle and care for any dog. Yet I recognized that I had to let him go. I only did it after realizing that the NE GA Humane Society and I discussed his next steps and the extensive training he will go through with a behaviorist. I felt comfortable because I could tell they genuinely cared for him and his life like I did.

The blog:( When Is The Time To Give Up On An Aggressive Dog )

While contemplating if I should let him go, one of the determining issues was the legal aspect. What if he had bitten the dog clients I have in my house, my parents, my boyfriend’s parents or the kids? That’s plenty of lawsuits we couldn’t afford. So it was the right thing to do.

Today I read an article dealing with this exact issue and I want to share it with you. It’s called : How to Limit Your Liability If Your Dog Bites

Til Next Time…

Cold Weather Tips
Brrrr—it's cold outside!  The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife. 
   
   
2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. 
   
   
3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags. 
   
   
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. 
   
   
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear. 
   
   
6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. 
   
   
7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself. 
   
   
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape. 
   
   
9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information. 
   
   
10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Halloween Safety Tips

No Scaredy Cats This Halloween:

Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.
5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.
7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you