Pet First Aid & Care

February 2012 PawsitIve Educational Training Newsletter

For those of you who  have not yet signed up for our very first newsletter. TaDa here it is.

February 2012 Pawsitive Educational Training Newsletter

Upcoming January and February Webinar and Live Class Schedule

WEBINARS

Crystals and Alternative Add-Ons For Groomers is an hour long webinar that is divided into two parts. The first covers crystals and their properties along with the benefits of using them in a grooming environment. The second half covers alternatives such as color, scent, and music and their benefits for your shop.

Date is Wednesday, January 18th at 8pm EST. The cost is $20 for the live class and $10 for recording only. The link to register is http://www.instantpresenter.com/PIID=EA52DC87874C.

Dental Care For Pets is an hour long webinar covering dental anatomy, the importance of a home dental program, the stages of periodontal disease, the difference between manual and ultrasonic cleanings, and how to keep your pets teeth clean. This program does NOT teach scaling.

Date is Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm EST. The cost is $19.95 for the live class and $9.95 for the recording only. The link to register is http://www.instantpresenter.com/PIID=EA52DB848448.

Salon Sanitation is an hour long webinar that discusses, the why's and how to keep your salon, whether it's mobile or a fixed location clean and sanitary. It will teach you how to reduce cross contamination to keep your clients, your staff, and yourself healthy. Topics include zoonosis, means of transmission, cleaning vs disinfecting, disinfection protection, types of cleaners and disinfectants, caring for work tools and equipment, establishing procedures, and the "boogie monsters." This is a certificated class. Certificate is awarded upon completion of workbook.

Date is Wednesday, February 8th at 8pm EST. The cost is $49.95 for the live class and $39.95 for the recording only. The link to register is http://www.instantpresenter.com/PIID=EA52DC87874A.

 

LIVE CLASSES

Pet Tech Instructor Program is a 3 day program that will train you to teach Pet Tech pet first aid and other pet educational seminars.

Date is Saturday, March 3rd through Monday, March 5th in Danbury, CT. The cost is $1495pp. Follow this link to register: www.pawsitivelypretty.com/calendar.htm.

Pet Tech PetSaver is an 8 hour hands on program that covers healthy living, priorities and concerns of emergencies, restraining and muzzling, primary pet assessment, rescue breathing, CPR, bleeding and shock, choking, poisoning, insect and snake bite, seizures, heat and cold injuries, snout to tail assessments, pet vitals, pet first aid and emergency preparedness kits, and dental care. You will have a stuffed dog to work on and will receive a handbook and certificate.

Date is Saturday March 3rd in Danbury, CT. The cost is $150pp. Follow this link to register: www.pawsitivelypretty.com/calendar.htm

Reiki I Attunement is a hands on program that upon completion, you are a Reiki I Practitioner in the Usui System of Natural Healing.

Date is Sunday, March 25th in Danbury, CT. The cost is $150pp. Follow this link to register: www.pawsitivelypretty.com/calendar.htm.

 

Don’t forget to visit out new website at www.pawsitiveeducationaltraining.com to see the latest and greatest in webinars from leaders in the pet industry as well as see our selction of On Demand.

 

The Big Secret

Drum roll please.... So, you want to know what the Big Secret is. Here goes!

What if continuing education was available on your schedule? What if some of the top pet industry speakers were available on your command? What if there was a wide range of topics to choose from?

This is what Pawsitive Educational Training is all about. We are a collaboration of the best the pet industry has to offer. We provide both live online and recorded On Demand webinars.

Our topics include mobile and housecall grooming, marketing, safety, breed specifics, equipment use and maintenance, creative grooming, animal behavior, competition grooming, product choice and uses, cat grooming, alternatives, and so much more.

We are Mary Oquendo, Alyssa Forss, Daryl Conner, Chris Sertzel, Ellen Ehlrich, Dawn Omboy, Kim Raisanen, Sherri Shinsky, Nicole Kallish, Lindsey Dicken, Melissa Jepsen, Derek Hartmann, Barbara Bird, Debi Hilley, Kristie Perry Kingsland and Donna Gleason.

Come visit us at www.Pawsitiveeducationaltraining.com and see how easy and cost effective it is to continue your education. 

This is just the beginning. It will take us a couple of months to get fully up and running and we welcome any suggestions for webinar topics. Most of us are writing them as you read this. 

The Importance of Continuing Education

Quick blog today. Here's a link to Groomwise Talk radio. I was recorded for an interview on the importance of continuing education.

http://www.groomwise.com/html_radio.htm

Keeping Your Mobile Grooming Van On The Road

Unlike our shop siblings, we bring our work environment every where we go. If our vehicles are not kept in good condition, they will break down or worse; cause an accident. When they are in the shop, they are not in someone’s driveway making us money. There are five major components that need our undivided attention. They are your tires, brakes, exterior vehicle lighting, the engine, and our eyes.

 

The first is your tires. Tires are expensive. To replace my van’s tires will run me anywhere between $800 and $1,000. I want to be sure I get the most life out of them. I rotate every oil change. I don’t use synthetic oil, so that’s about every 3,000 miles. Cars can go about 5,000 miles, but not the vans. They are too heavy. When they are rotated, I have the shop check tire pressure. Improper tire pressure will cause premature wear as well as making it difficult to stop on wet roads. Worn tires are just plain dangerous. It inhibits your ability to stop altogether. I cannot over emphasize the importance of stopping when you intend to. Use the right tire for your weather and road conditions. If you need mud and snow tires, then buy mud and snow tires. Saving a couple hundred on tires is not really a savings if you have to reschedule days because your vehicle can’t negotiate the roads. Also, buying cheaper tires just means you have to buy them more often.

 

Next is brakes. It’s a wonderful thing when you come to a complete and full stop when you apply the brakes. Not only is it important to inspect your brakes, but also the brakes lines. One of my least favorite mobile grooming experiences involved my brake lines or lack thereof. Something that hubby and I argue about in my apparent inability to retrieve messages left on my cell phone while on the road. I’m busy, if I wanted to answer the phone while working, I wouldn’t be mobile. But of course, he wouldn’t leave me a message unless IT WAS IMPORTANT. Yada yada yada. So, I pull over on the top of a very steep hill to retrieve those four important messages he left me. They were four of the stupidest messages I have yet to hear. But, as I sat there with my foot on the brake, the pedal went ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. The brake lining broke and here I was on top of a hill, the bottom of which was Lake Lillianonah. Not my most fun experience. Good thing I had the tow company on speed dial. 

The moral of this story is to inspect regularly and make sure they physically check the lines.

 

Onward to your vehicles exterior lighting including your directionals. These lights let other drivers know what you’re doing and to see you in fog and low light. It can be really difficult to see white vehicles in fog. 

 

Fourth is the engine. What I mean by engine is that if its under the hood, then its the engine. Watch those potholes and rough roads. Besides messing up your suspension and front end, it plays havoc with your vehicles electronic systems. Keep to the recommended scheduled maintenances. In particular, the oil changes, transmission service, and engine tune up. These services become more important as your vehicle ages. I lose more money when my vehicle is in the shop than what the cost of the scheduled maintenance would have been that would have prevented the breakdown in the first place. 

When I ask for an inspection of my vehicle by the shop, I pay for it rather than take them up on their free service. I find that when you pay for it, they are more thorough because their liability increases. I have received free brake jobs because they didn’t notice my brakes were in need of replacement when I paid for the inspection.

 

And lastly is our eyes. Pay attention to the road conditions, other drivers, and the weather. Is stopped traffic up ahead? Are you taking them off the road to take that phone call? Does that driver really feel the need to cut you off? Are the roads icy or covered in wet leaves?

 

Our vehicles are our livelihood. Take care of them so they can take care of you.Mobile

 

Winter Safety Tips

Sigh, another winter is upon us and here is a few tips to keep our pets safe during this time of year.

Car Safety

Watch for antifreeze leaks. It’s sweet taste attracts dogs and cats, very poisonous, and the bright green color is a DEAD giveaway. It cleans up easily with soap and water.

Outdoor cats looking for warmth frequently sleep on car engines. Banging loudly on the hood before starting your engine should rouse them.

Leaving your pet in your car while you shop at the mall is like leaving them in a refrigerator. The car retains the cold and your pet could suffer from hypothermia. A great way to gauge the interior temperature of your vehicle is with a Too Hot For Spotã window cling. It is a thermometer that tells you if it is too hot OR too cold for your pet. You can source them at www.toohotforspot.com. On the flip side, you do not want to leave them in the car with the engine idling. Last year a Long Island, NY man went into a Cool Beans for a cup of coffee and left his car running. His dog knocked the gearshift into drive and proceeded to go for a ride. He ended up IN the business next door. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

The Great Outdoors

Animals that spend a lot of time outside need more food. In particular, a higher protein diet is required.

The very young and the very old have little tolerance for the cold weather. Provide them with outerwear for both body and feet.

According to the ASPCA, more dogs are lost during snowstorms than at any other time. They can lose their scent and become disoriented and lost. Remember, a well-identified dog has a greater chance of returning home.

Use pet safe ice melt. When that is not possible, or you are unsure of what is being used; wash their feet BEFORE they get a chance to lick them.

Indoors

Insects will be coming into our homes for the winter. Watch for spider and insect bites and familiarize yourself with the signs of anaphylactic shock. Insect traps are baited with something tasty, so keep them out of your pet's reach.

The Holiday Season is in full swing.

Decorations

The most common holiday plant is the poinsettia. It is toxic. Keep it out of reach of your pets. The ASPCA has a database of toxic plants at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/.

Chewing on electrical cords can cause cardiac arrest. Tripping on electrical cords can cause broken body parts and sudden blunt force trauma. (OK, maybe more of an issue for me.) Dogs chasing after something have been known to be dragging a Christmas tree behind them after a cord was snagged on a paw.

Glass ornaments pose a problem for those pets that confuse them with tennis balls.

Garland and tinsel is a particular problem for cats. Remember, never pull it out of your cat, as there may be an ornament hook at the other end.

Pine water is poisonous to pets. Fertilizers and pesticides will leach out into the water bowl.

Holiday Food and Drinks

Alcoholic beverages can cause intoxication, coma and death.

Coffee, tea and other caffeine products contain theobromine. It is toxic and affects the cardio and nervous systems.

Ham, fat trimmings and turkey skin can cause pancreatitis.

Cooked bones can cause intestinal obstruction and lacerations of the digestive system.

 

Stuffings may contain sage, onions, mushrooms and raisins.

Too many sweets can cause obesity and diabetes. Artificial sugars are toxic especially xylitol.

Holiday snack trays may contain macadamia nuts and grapes.

Chocolate contains theobromine.

A list of the most common people foods that cause problems for pets is found at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.aspx.

TIP: Broccoli can cause digestive upset and VERY gassy pets. You may want to keep that to a minimum unless you want your guests running for cover. Of course, if your guests have overstayed their welcome, then broccoli is the way to go.

You also want to provide your pets with a quiet place during the holiday parties. Even small gatherings can be stressful for them.

Cold Injuries

Cold injuries are caused by extreme or prolonged exposure to low temperatures. The most common areas affected are the tail, ears, paws and scrotum. A snout to tail assessment is always a good idea after coming in from the outdoors. Check for ice and salt in the pads and for any signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

The skin can become swollen, red and very painful. In later stages, it can become hard and pale. Additional signs of frostbite and hypothermia include shivering, slow or shallow breathing, lethargy, decreased heart rate and gums either pale or bluish in color.

If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, you should first make sure the pet is out of the cold. DO NOT RUB THE AFFECTED AREA. The frozen ice crystals in the skin can lacerate the skin cells. Contact your vet for rewarming instructions. This is very important so that you can prevent further pain, stave off infection and minimize the possible tissue damage.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season.

 

Grooming To Dye For

There are a couple of topics that bring out the animal in pet groomers. They include expressing anal glands, ear plucking, the use of Dawn™ dishwashing liquid, and the latest; bleaching pets for creative grooming. I have friends on both sides of this very heated debate. So, when someone asked me to write a blog on the safety aspects of creative grooming, I’m pretty sure I had the “deer in the headlights” look on my face. I do not dye any of my pets and am unfamiliar with the process and products. I’m approaching this from an ingredient stand point and those effects on both cats and dogs. To assist me, I enlisted the aid of Dr. Justine Lee.

 

Dr. Lee is a board certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist, one of four hundred worldwide. She is the Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline as well as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC). Dr. Lee has been published in numerous veterinary journals and received the North American Veterinary Conference 2011 “Small Animal Speaker of the Year.” She is also the author of “It’s a Dog’s Life...but it’s Your Carpet” and “It’s a Cat’s Life...You Just Live In It”

 

Let’s start with cats. The latest is creative cat grooming. The problem with this lies in that cats have an altered glucuronidation pathway in their liver. It prevents them from metabolizing drugs, chemicals, essential oils, plant botanicals, etc. This results in the potential build up of chemicals in their body, which can result in poisoning and underlying health problems-particularly when used long term or chronically. Over time, it can become fatal. Typical ingredients found in both permanent, semi-permanent, and washable dyes include hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, detergents, and alcohols. Again these chemicals are not well metabolized by a cat. Natural dyes are not safe for cats either as they often contain essential oils or plant botanicals.

 

Once these ingredients are applied to the cat, they are absorbed by the skin. Rate of absorptions will vary depending on concentrations and time of exposure. Washing these products off will not fully mitigate their effects. Some of these ingredients at higher concentrations can corrode and rupture esophageal linings, nasal cavities, and damage corneas. Another concern is that cats are fastidious groomers and may lick at the products applied to their fur allowing them to ingest toxins.

 

So, what are the options for creative cat groomers:

1. Non toxic colored chalk.  The exception to this is if the cat has an underlying health problem where high calcium intake is a problem, such as kidney or parathyroid disease. Remember, cats are fastidious groomers. There is a difference between colored chalk and artist chalk. As a general rule, colored chalk uses dyes and artist chalk uses pigments for color. Most pigments are made from minerals that are toxic to cats, even those that may be non toxic for people. Read the label and consult with your vet before using artist chalk.
2. Food dye. (Similar to what you find in the baking aisle of a supermarket)
3. Unsweetened Kool Aid™ or other unsweetened powder drink mixes. Do not use them if they are of the sweetened variety as it may contain xylitol. Xylitol causes low blood sugar and liver failure in pets. While cats are not known to be as sensitive to xylitol as dogs, it is better to err on the side of caution and avoid use of those products. Remember, cats are fastidious groomers. 

 

Onward to dogs. Dogs are similar to us in that they can metabolize many of the chemicals found in dye products in reasonable amounts. The biggest difference lies in that their hair is different from ours and these products can strip and damage their coats. That’s a totally different article. Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are irritants or corrosives depending on the concentration of the product.

 

There are many factors that go into the safety of these ingredients.

1. The concentrations of either hydrogen peroxide or ammonia is important. Higher concentrations may not be metabolized and can be dangerous long term, particularly those dogs with underlying health problems. Like cats, these chemicals at higher concentrations can potentially corrode and rupture esophageal linings, nasal cavities, and damage corneas. The products may also feel irritating on the skin of dogs. So, what determines higher concentrations? That’s a question that is best answered by your veterinarian concerning your particular pet.
2. The dog must be healthy. A dog that has an underlying medical condition, is pregnant or nursing, is very young or very old, will not be able to properly metabolize ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.
3. Time in between dyeing. The rate of which these ingredients are metabolized will vary from dog to dog. Their livers and kidneys need time to process and recuperate. When in doubt, you should consult with your veterinarian when it is safe again for that particular pet.
4. Natural products that contain essential oils and plant botanicals are not safe either as they can result in severe toxicity. Any pet can have a reaction to what may be considered a normally safe oil. As I write this, I am on steroids because of a reaction to tea tree oil.

 

Options for creative groomers include:

 

1. Non toxic chalk. The exception is if your dog is a licker and had an underlying medical condition where high calcium intake could cause a problem. Like cats, many of the minerals used for pigment in artists chalk may be toxic to dogs. Consult with your vet to verify it’s safety.
2. Food dyes or unsweetened powder drink mixes.
3. Labeled dog safe dyes. 

 

Some indications that any ingredient whether listed above or not has caused a problem that requires veterinary intervention include: vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness, licking, scratching, redness, sloughing off of skin, difficultly breathing, eye tearing or discharge, excessive salivation, and nasal discharges.

 

Be considerate of the pets in your care and aware of their limitations. Always do a test patch and wait 48 hours before continuing. Like us, every pet has a different threshold for tolerating and assimilating toxins. I had three great aunts who passed away at the ages of 95, 97, and 99 respectively. All three smoked like chimneys. My mother passed away at the age of 51. She was also a heavy smoker. Dana Reeves, who never smoked, died at the age of 44 of lung cancer. What may be fine for one pet, may not be all right for another.

If you want to be certain about the safety of any listed ingredient, call Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control based out of Minneapolis, at 1-800-213-6680. It is a $35 call, much cheaper than an emergency vet visit. They will gladly go over the ingredients with you to ensure it is safe for your pet.

 

I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Justine Lee for her help with this article and any errors are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RedRover

In June 2011, United Animal Nations changed their name to RedRover to reflect their continued direction and passion of this wonderful organization. Even though the name is different, their mission statement is the same.

 

“RedRovers mission is to bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education.”

 

They accomplish their mission through their volunteers, programs, collaboration with other organizations, and maximizing online technology. Through their many campaigns, their goals are three fold: to prevent animals from being in crisis, bringing animals out of crisis, and mitigating situations of animals in crisis.

 

Preventing Animals From Being In Crisis

 

1. My Dog Is Cool. This program is designed to save the countless pets die every year when they are locked in cars while owners, work, shop, visit, or run errands. At www.mydogiscool.com, you can download posters, flyers, and other materials to educate your community about the dangers of hot cars and pets. Last year, over 31,00 flyers were distributed. That figure does not include flyers that were  downloaded.
2. Premarin Awareness campaign educates the public about this female hormone replacement therapy drug made form the urine of pregnant mares and the effect it has on the thousands of mares and their foals.
3. A Better Choice helps people make better decisions in their lives that improves the quality of life for all animals. 
4. RedRover Readers is a reading program geared towards children. Volunteers visit elementary school, after-school programs, animal shelters, and other venues to read books to children that depict the human animal bond and exposes them to the concept of kindness to animals. It has the added benefit of helping children develop critical thinking skills and empathy.

 

Bringing Animals Out Of Crisis

 

1. RedRover Responders. Volunteers shelter and care for animals affected by natural disasters, criminal seizures; including puppy mills and dog fighting, and hoarding. If you are or know of someone in need of these services call 1-800-440-3277.
2. RedRover Relief provides funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers, and pet owners due to life threatening situations through grants and other financial assistance programs.

 

Mitigating Crisis Situations Of Animals

 

1. RedRover Reporters encourage people to be on the lookout for animal cruelty and left in locked, hot cars. They offer financial incentives for witnesses to come forward to testify.
2. Providing educational opportunity and awareness through the community with:

1. Events across the country. They offer training workshops, online programs, and are involved with pet related community events such as walkathons.
2. Blogs about their programs and the animals they have assisted.
3. Newsletters about upcoming programs and events sent to their members.
4. In 2011, they issued 19 press releases to the media.
5. They maintain a list of available downloadable publications including annual reports, It’s Hot flyers, disaster tips, and other educational materials.
6. A library of videos detailing their programs and rescues.
7. They have fully embraced the online community through Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube. You can also sign up for mobile alerts.

 

By The Numbers

 

In 2010, they responded to 11 crisis’, sheltering 2,769 animals. Their volunteers logged in over 5,400 hours. They issued 526 RedRover Relief Grants totaling $113.947. They made 214 RedRover Reader Visits that reached 1,685 children.

 

I’m proud to be a member and there are many ways to help support Red Rover. The first is by visiting their website at www.RedRover.org.

 

 

Dog Park Etiquette

Dog parks have been gaining in popularity over the last several years. If your town does not already have one, you can be sure that there is a group trying to rectify that. Dog parks are the equivalent of a children’s playground; only these kids are of the furry four-legged variety. Like anything else in life, there are pros and cons.

The pros are easy. They are an excellent place to socialize and exercise your dog. 

 

The cons, however, can get a little long. The list includes the following:

 

The underlying health of another dog is unknown and can something spread to your dog. Like children who pass on colds, chicken pox, flu, etc at playgrounds, dogs could transmit giardia, kennel cough, canine influenza, rabies, and other nasties at the dog park.

 

Females in heat can most certainly rile up even the most well behaved males.

 

How old is the water in the community bowl. Standing water breeds bacteria. Then there are some dogs who guard and defend “their” water bowl. It is best to bring your own bowl and water.

 

Small, unattended children are always a problem. They can overexcite or annoy the dogs in the park. A small child is no match for a large dog.

 

Of course, there are owners who bring in treats and toys for their dogs. Nothing starts a fight faster than resource guarding. 

 

Then, there are those dogs that are unsuitable for dog parks because they do not like other dogs. 

 

Throw in possible injuries that could occur whenever dogs play, fight, or just stand around minding their own business. That list includes, but most certainly it not limited to:

 

Choking on provided treats or never knowing what your dog is going to find and then think is edible.

 

Bleeding injuries such as paw, ear, or limb.

 

Eye injuries.

 

Limb injuries from tripping in dug holes.

 

Sudden blunt force trauma when two dogs collide.

 

Insect or snake bites.

 

Bites from fights.

Poisoning from whatever old, moldy food may be around, but also plants and mushrooms.

 

The key to having a good time at the dog park is owner education. Owners need to recognize and put a stop to unwanted behavior on their pets’ part, and to realize when their pet might be in danger. Does the pet owner know what to do in the event of an injury? Which is why I teamed up with Donna Gleason, CPDT-KA, PTI, and owner of TLC Dog Trainer, LLC. She can be contacted at www.TLCdogtrainer.com. We designed a program that addresses dog park behavior and pet first aid issues. With the assistance of Kelli Peet; Regional Animal Control Officer in New Fairfield, CT, we presented at two local dog parks over this past summer.

 
 

Donna believes in being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to pet safety. “No one should be put in a position where they have to say, “ I wish I knew what to do or, I wish I could have saved my pet.” I am dedicated to helping others learn confidence and skills needed to keep their pets safe.” Her program centered around decoding dog behavior. Is there a problem or are they just playing? She discussed techniques and strategies to recognize potential problems before they become an issue.

I am a Certified Master Pet Tech Instructor and I teach a hands on, comprehensive pet first aid program across the country as well as offer webinars on various pet safety topics. I can be contacted through www.pawsitivelypretty.com. My goal was to identify and how to address potential injuries as might be common in dog parks. I was aided by Kurgo provided their treat bags to be used as a pet first aid kit. I was excited when Gordon Spater ( www.kurgo.com ) offered to send them to us as they are well made, sturdy, and just the right size for a portable pet first aid kit. Blue Buffalo ( www.bluebuff.com ), and Candlewood Drugs ( www.candlewoodrx.com ) provided some of the items in the kit. I discussed what should be in the kit and how to use it.

 

Our goal for this program is by raising awareness and educating more dog park attendees, we are making the dog parks the fun place they should be.

 

To learn more about this program, contact either Donna or myself.

 

PetSaver App

As most of you know, I have been teaching Pet Techs Pet CPR, First Aid, and Care Seminars for the past several years. They have designed an app for both the iphone and droid. The best way to describe all the features it offers is to send you to the Pet Tech website where there is a 7 minute video.

http://www.pettech.net/app/index.html

My Instructor code is MO1260. I do get a dollar for each one sold with my code.

Pet Fall Safety Tips

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Air is crisp, apples on the trees, leaves are changing color, and the weather is in transition. We’re leaving behind the heat and humidity of summer, but the cold, frigid air of winter is not yet upon us. 

 

But with that transition comes the potential for hurricanes, tornados, and other massive storms. I am writing this in the midst of Hurricane Irene by candlelight. While tornados sneak up on us, hurricanes do not. The key to weathering (Ha Ha) these storms is preparation. Education is key. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of survival becomes. One of the webinars I teach is called “Emergency and Disaster Planning With Your Pets.”  Might be the best hour and half you spend.

 

These storms can be quite ferocious and may scare your pets. Keep them on a leash when walking them, so they do not run off when a crack of thunder booms. Loss of power is a concern for those who have refrigerated medicines such as insulin. In addition, if you lose power, your electronic fences will not work.

 

This is a good time to make sure your microchip company has updated information as well as a photograph of your pet. If your pet becomes lost, you want their picture, not the generic one being circulated. Make sure collar tags are readable.

 

Now is the time to prepare gardens and lawns for winter. When using fertilizers and pesticides restrict your pet’s access to the treated areas. The poison is absorbed through the pads or ingested when licking their paws. Most Fall bulbs are poisonous. Check with your local garden nursery or click on this link for a list of common poisonous plants: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

 

As wildlife is preparing for winter, they become more active in their search for food. Be aware of the dangers they present to keep your pets from becoming a causality. 

 

Halloween hazards include:

 

Chocolate contains theobromine. Pets cannot metabolize it, so it builds up in their bodies. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. The smaller the pet, the less chocolate it can withstand.

 

Artificial sugars, such as might be found in Halloween candy causes a deadly drop in blood sugar. It doesn’t matter how small or large your pet is. 

 

Candy wrappers can cause intestinal blockages.

 

Candles in pumpkins can get knocked over and start a fire.

 

Secure your pet when trick or treaters come to your door. Don’t give your pets an opportunity to escape out the front door.

 

Thanksgiving hazards include:

 

Turkey bones can pose a choking hazard or splinter causing intestinal damage.

 

Turkey trimmings have a high fat content and can cause pancreatitis.

 

Alcohol can fatally accelerate your pets’ heartbeat.

 

Stuffing may contain both onions and/or raisins.

 

Too many guests, especially small children; can overexcite or annoy your pets. Make sure they have a place to get away from the ruckus. Keep in mind, that for some pets one guest is too many.

 

Inform your guests not to feed your pets without your permission.

 

As always, take a pet first aid class. It can be the difference between life and death and is the best gift you can give them.