Photo by Adriana Herbut

The Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber, a survivor of Hurricane Ike, was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. Amber survived distemper and lived with the Woytek family and canine “sis” Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.

But things changed when Amber ate parts of a sago palm plant, which has dark green leaves and hairy trunk and is a popular houseplant. Unfortunately, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs. Sadly, Amber didn’t make it.

The ASPCA says that since 2003, they have seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities.

All parts of the plant are toxic, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.

What’s more, in 2008 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items.

Watch this video of ASPCA top toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for.

Click here for poison prevention tips online. If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Have you heard about California’s SB 250 – The Pet Responsibility Act?

Consider this: According to the 2009 ca shelter report, in the 61 days since January 1: 84,801 pets have been killed in CA shelters, and  $42,349,973 in taxes spent to house & kill them.

Each year, over $250 million dollars is spent housing and euthanizing homeless dogs and cats in California. Approximately 1 million dogs and cats enter California’s shelters each year, and over half of them are euthanized.

This enormous number of homeless pets means that every dog born in the state of California today has nearly a 1 in 4 chance of ultimately becoming homeless and dying in a shelter.

SB 250 provides a reasonable, fiscally responsible step towards reducing pet overpopulation in California. The bill simply requires that dogs be spayed or neutered unless their owner/guardian obtains an unaltered dog license when they license their animal.

In Defense of Animal’s Dr. Elliot Katz says Senator Dean Florez’s new spay/neuter bill is “wonderful news, a historic step to help end the terrible killing of so many animals. Hopefully this will pass quickly and be a model for the nation.”

According to SB 250 The Pet Responsibility Act:

• Licensed dogs may be left unaltered if the owner/ guardian chooses. Owners cited for violating local or state laws may have their license revoked or be required to spay or neuter.
• SB 250 saves the state millions of dollars by reducing homeless pets.
• License costs, fines and implementation details are at the discretion of local jurisdictions.

Similar spay and neuter legislation is currently being introduced across the country. In California, a diverse coalition of elected officials, law enforcement agencies, city and county agencies, humane societies and SPCAs, veterinarians and veterinary hospitals, national animal welfare organizations, California rescue organizations, and thousands of individuals and organizations support spay and neuter legislation like SB 250.

Learn more about SB 250 here.

Next week, Greta is getting her teeth cleaned at the vet. Coincidentally, February is Pet Dental Health Month, when several veterinary groups, including the The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS)  join together to educate pet owners to the importance of regular care of their pets dental needs.

According to the AVDS, 85% of all adult pets have periodontal disease. Left untreated, harmful bacteria from the oral cavity can spread throughout the bloodstream to infect the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

According to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the most common disease in dogs is periodontal disease (gum disease). Just as with people, it is an infection created by a buildup of soft dental plaque around the gums and on teeth surfaces. If the plaque (which comes from food particles, bacteria and debris) accumulates, it can lead to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth. Bad breath is the most common sign of gum disease. Additionally, a dog can be in pain from irritated gums, which can lead to appetite loss. The key to beating gum disease is prevention.

As bacteria grow inside the mouth, the plaque turns to tartar. If not treated, plaque and tartar buildup can result in gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. An even worse situation would result in periodontal disease. Other severe infections can affect a dog’s heart, liver or kidneys.

The VOHC offers these tips for doggie dental success:

Visit your veterinarian
In addition to a physical examination and medical history, the doctor will examine your pet’s teeth and gums. Recommendations may be made for cleaning, polishing, and other dental care in the hospital, or your veterinarian may suggest a program of home dental care. Some veterinarians will give a ‘dental discount’ during the month of February. So if you have been putting off your pets teeth cleaned, now may be a good time to call your vet. You just might save a few bucks, and add a few years to your pet’s life!

Professional dental care
If your pet already has evidence of periodontal disease, a professional cleaning is in order. Depending on your pet’s age and physical condition, the doctor may request that blood analyses, radiography, or other diagnostic tests be performed to evaluate the heart, liver, and kidneys for coexisting disease before proceeding with general anesthesia.

Once your pet is under anesthesia, accumulated tartar and calculus is removed by ultrasonic and hand scaling. Teeth needing fillings or root canals can be repaired and teeth that are beyond repair can be extracted. Finally the teeth are polished to slow down formation of new plaque, tartar, and calculus. If there is evidence of major bone loss or another serious oral condition, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary dental specialist.

Dental care at home
Regular brushing is an important part of any preventive dental program. A special toothbrush and toothpaste for pets are recommended. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to brush your pet’s teeth. In addition, feeding your pet coarse-textured food may help prevent accumulation of plaque, tartar, and calculus. Ask your veterinarian to advise you as to the best diet for your pet.

Lastly, return to your veterinarian for regular dental checkups every 6 to 18 months, or as recommended.

Spay Day is Tuesday, February 24, 2009, and is recognized across the United States and U.S. territories.

Spay Day USA is America’s first and only national day of action to promote the spaying or neutering of pets. During Spay Day USA, veterinarians and their staff, animal welfare professionals, business owners and citizens join forces nationwide to provide spay/neuter services and to promote spay/neuter as an essential component of good pet health care, as well as an effective and humane means of decreasing the euthanasia of homeless animals in shelters.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats and a proven way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them.

During Spay Day USA’s first 14 years, participants spayed or neutered more than 1,418,000 animals. The 14th annual Spay Day USA took place on February 26, 2008, when thousands of volunteers in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands worked together to save animal lives and end pet homelessness. They spayed or neutered more than 32,000 cats and dogs (and even a rat and a ferret); raised more than $200,000 for spay/neuter; and broadcasted the spay/neuter message to more than 13 million people.

Through the Spay Day USA Pet Photo Contest, contestants also raised tens of thousands of dollars to benefit the spay/neuter efforts of The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association’s Field Services program and 137 eligible Spay Day USA Event Organizers.

Enter the Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest to sponsor the spay or neuter of an animal in need, support a local Spay Day event organizer, show off your pet and have a chance to win a fabulous prize.

You don’t have to wait until Spay Day USA to have your pet spayed or neutered. Call a veterinarian in your area and make that spay/neuter appointment now. Your local animal shelter may also have recommendations of local veterinarians.

To learn more about Spay Day, click here. To enter the Spay Day Photo Contest, click here.

If you’re in St. Louis (or want to meet me there!) on February 15, don’t miss the 16th Annual Beggin’ Pet Parade. Registration opens at 10 a.m., and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m.

Join thousands of four-legged friends and their owners in the streets of Soulard to celebrate the 16th annual Beggin’ Strips Barkus Pet Parade. It’s one of the largest pet parades in the world, and 2009 marks its 16th anniversary of being the place to be seen for pet owners.

There will be plenty of tail-wagging good fun as dogs and other lovable pets parade in their colorful Mardi Gras-themed costumes. (Animal participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health.

For more information, click here.

And for those of you who can’t make it, tune in to “The Nature” series on PBS on February 15, at 8 p.m. for the episode “Why We Love Cats and Dogs.”

The episode, which explores the close relationships people have with their four-legged friends, will include a segment about the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® (MYM) adoption program and how it’s improving the way animal shelters match animals and adopters.

For more information about the show, click here.

This Logo Pawprint Heart Sterling Pendant was created by artist Merry Rosenfield (each piece is designed by Merry and cast in the USA). Merry has been creating her wonderful animal jewelry for over 25 years. She started her company, The Magic Zoo, in 1989, and has many animal jewelry fans worldwide. The 1/2″ H X 3/4″ W sterling silver pendant, chain not included, is $28. Buy it here.

I have my eye on this adorable “Love is a Treat” Dog T-shirt, made of heavyweight, 100% preshrunk cotton and machine washable in adult sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL for $15.99 (add $3.00 for XXL and $4.00 for XXXL). Get yours here.

Get the coffee or tea lover in your life this “Let One Love You” 11 oz. white ceramic mug with the ASPCA logo on the reverse side for $9.99. Buy it here.

 
Chocolate is always a winner on Valentine’s Day, and this Grey2K USA one-of-a-kind Greyhound Chocolate is divine. Each hand-dipped, 4 oz. candy is made of sweet chocolate and measures 4 inches tall by 5 inches wide and costs $15. They are also Kosher and cruelty-free (vegan). Get one (or two!) here.

 If your sweetheart wants something to snuggle with (besides you or Fido, that is!) how about this greyhound toy doll in fawn or brindle? Each baby greyhound has been individually sewn, measures 5″ x 10″, and costs $25. Get yours here.

Photo courtesy of PETA.

Michael Vick is going to be released from prison soon, and according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), recently released government evidence indicates he “enjoyed putting his own family pet dogs into the ring with fighting pit bulls.”

As such, PETA is urging the NFL to make Vick take a test for anti-social personality disorder (ASPD), or psychopathy.

The profile for ASPD includes lying (Vick lied both to the NFL and again during his lie-detector test), manipulating others, enjoying others’ suffering, and being aggressive and charming. In addition, people who have ASPD cannot be truly remorseful and are likely to repeat the anti-social behavior that pleases them.

PETA is asking the NFL to require that Vick pass a brain scan for ASPD and the accompanying psychological evaluation before they consider the possibility of allowing Vick back into the league, where he will be in a position to influence many fans, including countless children.

To ask the NFL to test Vick for ASPD, click here.

Looks like we have at least six more weeks of winter to go. For some of us, that means snow and freezing temperatures. For others, lots of rain (hopefully). Until the sun is a bit higher in the sky and the days are a little bit warmer/longer, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has some tips to ensure our furry friends stay safe and warm.

1. Wash and dry your pet’s feet after any time outside to remove ice, salt and chemicals from ice-melting agents—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
2. Take a towel with you on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws instead of waiting until you get home.
3. Dress your pet in a sweater or coat to help him/her retain body heat and prevent skin from getting dry. If your dog will tolerate it, booties will help minimize contact with salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical de-icers.
4. Massage petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside to form a barrier against salt and chemical agents. Repeat after toweling off to prevent chapped paw skin.
5. Trim long-haired dogs to minimize ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals becoming trapped in hair (don’t forget the hair between the toes!).
6. Keep your home humidified to prevetn dry skin, and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in between the toes.
7. Bathe your pooch as little as possible during the winter to avoid the removal of essential oils and increased chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
8. Brushing your pet regularly not only gets rid of dead hair, but also stimulates blood circulation, improving the skin’s overall condition.
9. Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime, sometimes causing dehydration. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help to keep her well-hydrated, and her skin less dry.
10. If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months and never be left alone in vehicles when the mercury drops.

While millions of people tune in for the Superbowl this Sunday, there’s a growing movement of the gentler (and cuter) variety–The Puppy Bowl. Yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds.

Animal Planet has taken a silly idea and turned it into a winner. It all started in 2004, when Animal Planet’s first annual Puppy Bowl was aired on The Discovery Channel’s Super Bowl Sunday lineup.

By last year’s Puppy Bowl IV, more than 8 million people tuned in, making it the highest rated program in the series, as well as Animal Planet’s top-rated adult-viewed telecast of the year.

Puppy Bowl V features all puppies from shelters in the Washington, D.C. area (some previous bowl contestants were from private homes). Emphasis is always placed on adoption, but this year in particular.

Catch the action on Sunday, February 1, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Animal Planet. To find out more, click here.

Check out this Arizona Cardinals doggie jersey priced at $29.95 and available in small, medium, large and x-large.

Not to be left out, Steelers fans can also get in on the game with this Pittsburgh Steelers doggie jersey also the same price and sizes.

Both are available through DoggieNation.com, which sells (doggie) sports team jerseys, bandannas, shirts, beds, collars, pillows and toys, all sports related and geared for fans of NCAA, MLB, NBA and NFL teams.