Jack Frost is nipping at your pet’s nose. Winter is here again, and cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous to your pet.

“In colder regions of the country, pet owners should already know that they need to make accommodations for their pets, but winter can be hard on a pet even in warmer states, like Georgia, where I work,” says Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “While we don’t get a lot of snow, it does get cold in the winter, and when it gets below freezing, our recommendation is that pet owners get their pets inside.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 winter tips for pet owners:

* Even if you own a sled dog, living outside during the depths of winter is very difficult. If you must keep your dog outside year round, remember that dogs must be allowed time to get acclimated to the cold with the change of the seasons. This builds up a winter coat they will need to survive. Corry recommends that dog owners with outside dogs double check to make sure their dog’s housing is well insulated, including straw or padding to sleep on.

“If you want to heat a doghouse, be careful to ensure that the heat source is installed properly so that the animal cannot be hurt,” he says. “If you can’t or won’t bring the animal into your home, consider bringing it inside a garage on bitter cold days.”

* Corry also advises pet owners to refrain from taking their pets near frozen ponds. Many dogs and cats fall through or sometimes are cast adrift on an ice float.

* Keep your pet away from antifreeze with ethylene glycol. It’s sweet and extremely lethal, even in small doses. The AVMA provides a brochure and video on this and other household hazards and poisons.

* Honk your horn or pound on the hood before starting your car on cold days. To a cat, a warm engine block can seem like a nice escape from cold winter winds.

* Carbon monoxide is just as lethal to pets as it is for people. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector, and, if you bring your pet from the outdoors into a garage during the winter, make sure exhaust fumes from your car aren’t allowed to build up inside.

* Cold air is dry air, so your pet can become dehydrated easily in the winter. Give him plenty of fresh water. If the bowl of water you put outside for your dog or cat freezes, it’s of no use to the animal.

* Road salt and ice melting products are not only irritating to the pads on your pet’s feet, but when your pet cleans itself by licking off these chemicals and ingesting them, they can cause gastrointestinal problems. Wash your pet’s feet after she’s been outdoors.

* Consider booties for your dog’s feet. Booties help prevent ice balls between the toes that can be both painful and do damage to the toe pads.

* Be careful about candles, space heaters and fireplaces – pets can get burned and even set the house on fire.

* Pay close attention to your older pet in winter, especially if he suffers from arthritis. Arthritic pain is even worse in icy winds and cold temperatures. Seek the advice of your veterinarian to help your pet cope with arthritis.

For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dr. Kerry Kraemer and veterinary technician Ron Garica examine a dog at Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago.

(ARA) – Summertime brings hot weather, camping trips and, for pet owners, fleas and ticks. These small bugs aren’t a small concern. Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human diseases, and flea and tick populations are on the rise nationwide.

“When it comes to external parasites like fleas and ticks, prevention is a far better answer to the problem than having to visit a veterinarian after an infestation has occurred,” says Dr. James O. Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Cook says that a female flea will begin laying eggs within the first 24 hours of infesting your pet and will produce 50 eggs a day. Once these hatch, the larvae can burrow into carpets, under furniture and then, weeks later, they can re-infest your pet.

“It’s far better to avoid all this pain and suffering for you and your pet by using preventative treatments,” Cook says. “Ask your veterinarian for information.”

Dr. Michael W. Dryden, a professor of veterinary medicine at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a flea and tick expert, says that both flea and tick problems are on the rise in the United States. Tick populations have been increasing, particularly in Eastern states for well over a decade, and flea populations have surged over the past couple years, particularly in Southern and Central states.

“It’s well-documented that there is an upswing in tick populations, particularly in the Eastern United States, and it has to do with the upswing in the population of Whitetail Deer,” Dryden says. By the early 1900s, hunting and farming practices in this country had nearly eradicated Whitetail Deer, but today there are close to 30 million deer across the country.

This great conservation success has a cost. Lyme disease, which is carried by ticks on Whitetail Deer, is also on the rise in parts of the United States. The best way to prevent diseases spread by ticks is to use a preventative medication. Prompt removal of ticks is very important because it reduces the chance of disease transmission from the tick to your pet. Firmly grip the tick with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and gently remove it without twisting. Do not burn the tick with heat or alcohol as this can actually lead to the spread of disease by causing the tick to regurgitate.

Dryden says that the surge in flea populations is a bit of a mystery today. “At about 1999, we thought we had the flea problem licked,” Dryden says. “But in the past couple years, there has been a resurgence, and we really don’t know why. There are a lot of theories, but nobody has been able to prove why flea populations are now increasing in some areas, such as in Southern and Central states.”

The good news is that in the past two and a half years there have been four recently approved parasite control medications introduced in this country. So pet owners have more tools to prevent these pesky, disease-carrying pests, but pet owners should seek the advice of a veterinarian before selecting a treatment.

“I tell people to go into their veterinarian and let your veterinarian choose the appropriate parasite medication for your pet and your region, because parasites can be very local, varying by state or even within a county or city,” Dryden says.”Veterinarians are the best source of information about the appropriate choice of parasite control.”

For more information, or to get a helpful brochure on how to deal with ticks, fleas, ear mites, mange mites and other external parasites, visit www.avma.org. For instructional videos, visit AVMA-TV or the AVMA Media Library.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dr. Heather Case of the American Veterinary Medical Association applies a simple first-aid wrap for a patient at the home of one of her clients.

(ARA) – Planting a garden, spring cleaning, fertilizing the lawn — we all have lots of work to do with the coming of spring. But pets also have health and safety needs this time of year that their owners should know about.

“I see it all the time in my clinic in the springtime. Animals get into fertilizers and pesticides, those used on a home or on a farm, and it makes the animals sick,” says Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “People need to be aware of these potential hazards. Along with better weather, the spring brings with it the use of a number of common lawn chemicals and the blooming of plants that can be hazardous to pets.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 spring hints for pet owners:

*Fleas and ticks
They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet’s coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers
Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat — and children– can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides
It’s probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they’re not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch
It’s becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies
Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves
Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it’s a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons
Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products
Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don’t hurt your animals. If the label states “keep pets and children away from area until dry” follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners
If you’re putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet’s skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications
Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer’s instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.

For more information, visit www.avma.org. For a full-length video on common household poisons and hazards, visit www.avmatv.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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.

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.

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.

My dog, Greta, after an emergency trip to the vet.

There are several things to consider when selecting a vet to treat your pooch. I speak from experience learned the hard way when I say that you get what you pay for, and even in tight economic times, money should only be one of many factors you consider when choosing a vet for your fury friend(s).

Here are some other things to consider:

1. Your vet should be a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  
2. Is your vet close to home (best) or work (good)? If not, keep looking.
3. Does your vet offer flexible hours?
4. Can you get in right away, or does it take forever to get an appointment?
5. Do they offer emergency services after hours?
6. Do they perform all the services you may require, such as teeth cleaning, x-rays, etc.?
7. Is the office clean and organized?
8. Is the staff professional and knowledgeable?
9. What’s their reputation like? Ask around, or ask for referrals.
10. Do you like them?

A puppy, but not the puppy Calli rescued.

Last summer, 9-year-old Calli Vanderaa found seven-week-old puppies in the garbage dumpster behind her house. In November, she wrote a letter to her local newspaper, the Winnipeg Free Press, detailing her rescue efforts.

Here is the letter:

Dear Sir
My name is Calli Vanderaa.
I’m 9 years old and I live with my daddy.
One day we found a little puppy in the BFI bin in our lane. Somebody had put 3 puppies in there and set them on fire.
Two of the puppies died but daddy and I saved one that was sitting in the corner crying.
We took her home and named her Jessie. She is happy and growing bigger every day.

When readers saw Calli’s story in the December 13 edition of the paper, offers started pouring in. Because Calli and her single father live in an inner-city neighborhood fraught with social issues, and because he is working hard to make ends meet, people pledged to donate gifts, cash, gift certificates, dog food and toys, and even babysitting.  What’s more, Habitat for Humanity emailed to say they could potentially help Calli’s father purchase a house with affordable payments in a safer neighbourhood. One man even offered him a job with better pay and less commute miles. And three kind strangers donated a total of $140 to pay for Jessie to be spayed, since Calli and her father don’t have the funds to do so.