Author: blogger
Pets are curious creatures by nature, always looking for something interesting to eat. This habit can sometimes get them into serious medical trouble when they accidentally find a toxic substance. Protecting pets from household poisons is all part of being a good pet parent. Start by following these tips on hazardous substances that are commonly found right where you live.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers for humans are frequently the cause of poisoning in dogs. Though some of these medications are sometimes used for veterinary care, the dosage is critical for safe administration. Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, can cause severe liver damage. Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, can cause gastric ulcers and kidney failure. Naproxen can cause stomach perforation, gastric ulcers and acute kidney failure and should never be used on dogs. If you carry these drugs in your purse, ensure that your dog cannot get at them.
Antidepressants
Increasingly, doctors prescribe antidepressant medications not only for depression, but also for a variety of other medical conditions. When pets accidentally get ahold of these medications, they may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting and signs of -serotonin syndrome,- a condition that causes agitation, elevated temperatures, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures and disorientation. As with over-the-counter pain relievers, these medications are often left in purses or on nightstands where pets can get into them. Take extra precautions with these medications and keep them in childproof containers on a high shelf.
Chocolate
By now, everyone knows that some types of chocolate are poisonous to dogs. However, this information has not reached the dog world, and dogs continue to take every opportunity to snap up chocolate candy, cookies and cake whenever they get the chance. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which metabolizes much more slowly in dogs than in humans. Small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Large amounts can cause serious toxicity that requires anti-seizure medications and IV fluids. Of course, dogs only know chocolate foods taste good, so they must rely on owners to keep them safe. A program for protecting pets from household poisons includes keeping these foods on high counters and shelves where pets cannot reach them.
Grapes and Raisins
Many dog owners may not yet have gotten the word on grapes and raisins being poisonous to dogs. It wasn’t until about 25 years ago that documented statistics on the toxicity of grapes and raisins have been available. It is not known why these foods are toxic to dogs, but some researchers believe it may be a mycotoxin, a substance produced by a fungus or mold that causes the problem. After consumption, the dog may show symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, seizure and eventual acute kidney failure. The prognosis for recovery depends on how much was eaten and how quickly treatment was begun.
Onions
Onions can cause anemia in dogs and should not be given to them, either cooked in table foods or raw. Onions contain a substance called thiosulphate that is toxic to both dogs and cats. This substance damages the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the animal’s body. Hemolytic anemia can cause lethargy, shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea. As little as five grams can cause toxicity.
Xilitol Sweeteners
Xilitol is a type of artificial sweetener that is found in many foods for humans. It is often used in chewing gum, cookies, candies and products made for diabetics. Xilitol is toxic to dogs and can produce changes in blood sugar levels, vomiting, lethargy and difficulty walking. Seizures and liver failure can also result. Protecting pets from household poisons means no Xilitol, ever.
Rodent Poison
Any poison you use to kill rodents in your home or yard can be ingested by your pet with disastrous results. Your dog or cat may find and eat the poison or consume part of an animal that has eaten it. Most rodenticides contain anticoagulant compounds that cause bleeding to kill the rats or mice. Symptoms of rodent poisoning in dogs may not occur until a week after ingestion. Bright green stools and bleeding from nose, ears, rectum or other areas can occur. Get your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you see these symptoms. Always use these poisons with great caution and keep your pets out of the area.
Household Plants
Generally, grown dogs will live with plants in their houses or yards without trying to eat them. However, puppies are often more adventurous and will try a taste of anything that is remotely edible and many things that aren’t. Common household plants that can be toxic to dogs include philodendron, ficus, croton, Boston fern, jade plant, snake plant, schefflera, antherium, ivy, spider plant, corn plant and pothos.
In your yard, bulb plants such as amaryllis, daffodil, gladiolus, iris and tulips can be toxic to dogs if they are prone to digging them up. Asparagus fern and lace fern are also poisonous. Hydrangea, kalanchoe, foxglove, morning glory, nightshade and tomato plants can also be poisonous to dogs. Shrubs like oleander, rhododendron, yucca, holly and sago palm should also be monitored closely to ensure that dogs do not eat them. The list of plants found in fields and wooded areas is extensive and varies from region to region. If you are out in these areas with your dog, ensure that he does not sample the local (possibly poisonous) flora.
Insecticides
Insecticides can be deadly to your pets. Always remove pets from the area when using them. Ensure that toys, feeding bowls, rawhide chews and other equipment are removed to avoid contaminating them with the pesticide. Keep pets out of the area until the insecticide has completely dried. Signs of insecticide poisoning include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors or seizure. Get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible if you notice these symptoms after using a home or garden insecticide. Bring the insecticide with you to the vet so that he or she can treat the animal appropriately.
Household Cleaners
Substances like ammonia and bleach are highly toxic to pets if consumed. When these chemicals are mixed together, they can produce toxic fumes that can be deadly. Chlorine products used for cleaning and pool care are also toxic. Any type of floor, bathroom or all-purpose cleaner can contain harmful amount of these substances. Cleaners should always be stored in cabinets that close securely to prevent accidental ingestion.
Antifreeze
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Generally, dogs encounter this substance when it drips from car engines. It gets left on the garage floor where the dog can lap it up. Some people use antifreeze in their toilets to keep pipes from freezing. Because antifreeze has a sweet taste, dogs may be attracted to it. However, it can affect kidneys, liver and the brain of these animals. Always store antifreeze on high shelves or in cabinets. Clean up any spills immediately. Seek veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has ingested antifreeze.
Fertilizers
Garden and lawn fertilizers can also be toxic to your pets. Though the pet may not directly eat the fertilizer compound, he can pick it up on paws, bones or toys. Always water the fertilizer to allow it to seep into the ground before allowing your pet into the area. Signs of fertilizer poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. There may also be difficulty breathing. Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for emergency care if this happens.
Alcohol
Some manufacturers of conventional pet medications add dangerous amounts of straight grain alcohol to their products. Alcohol is a cheap preservative which allows products to be warehoused for many years with minimal spoilage. But alcohol, even in small amounts, is toxic to dogs and cats according to the ASPCA and an increasing number of informed veterinarians, animal rights organizations and medical researchers.
Makers of pet dental care products that remove plaque and tartar are among the worst alcohol abusers. Many of them spike their products with 190 proof Grain (Ethyl) Alcohol, equal to a whopping one-fourth (25% by weight) of their product’s ingredients. That’s like serving our beloved animal companions a 50 proof cocktail with every application.
The Herman tortoise which is a relatively small sized tortoise originated in Europe and is found in almost all coasts of France and also in certain parts of Italy. This tortoise is also found in the nearby islands. This makes it widely popular in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, Romania, Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Greece, Hungary and south Italy. They prefer the widely dense forests of Mediterranean and in the arid regions with rocky hill slopes and scrubby vegetation. These areas make it easier for the Herman tortoise to find its food.
Basically, a Herman tortoise is herbivorous. It largely eats a diet that consists of green leaves and grasses. This tortoise also consumes other vegetables and fruits like the broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, parsley, Timothy Hay, Alfalfa grass, Bermuda grass, dandelions, weeds, cactus pads, strawberries, bananas, squash, melons, apples, apricots, grapes and peaches. However, it is important that these vegetables and fruits are consumed in smaller quantities. If you have a one as a pet, it is advised not to feed it cabbage as this vegetable and its variants like the iceberg lettuce as these may have a damaging effect. These vegetables have very less nutritional value and once the tortoise starts eating them, it will give up eating other vegetables.
There have been instances when the Herman tortoise may eat insects like snails, slugs and carrions. However, this happens only with the tortoises that are in the wild. However, a this tortoise doesnt necessarily need a diet that contains animal proteins. You must take special care to feed this tortoise a diet that is rich in fiber and calcium. Vitamin D3 is also important for this tortoise and can be given to it in food if the natural sunlight is not provided. Young Herman tortoises have an attractive yellow and black shell. The backbone, ribs, shoulder blades and pelvis are all merged into the shell of the Herman tortoise.
The best tortoise house for the this species of tortoise is an outdoor enclosure. But care must be taken while building these outdoor enclosures to prevent the tortoise from escaping. If you plan to keep them indoors, necessary measures should be taken to provide them with a natural looking atmosphere. Also, this enclosure must be large enough with proper light and heat. A Herman tortoise is an adaptive and friendly reptile which makes them a great pet to have.
If you have ever wondered what type of lawn mower is best for you, read on. Learn which type of mower will be perfect for mowing around your garden or for mowing around your large land area. First, you need to evaluate what you will be using your lawn mower for. You should always go with a known brand, like a Toro or John Deere, as these have been awarded many times as being manufacturer of the year.
Which mower should you choose that will best suit your needs? One of the best brands of mower out today, is John Deere. These green power tools come in a wide selection and each is for many different purposes. If you plan to cultivate your own land for growing food, they have a special model just for that.
Also, the type of grass you are planning to cut should also be a factor when choosing the type of lawn mower you are going to buy. A John Deere Utility lawn tractor is perfect for those who have a yard larger than most. This mower will be able to provide you with the power and reliability that only lawn tractors can give.
A new model of lawn mower’s are the robotic lawn mowers which come equipped with a sonar detection system that will automatically slow down when it senses an object close by. These new sonar detection systems will also stop the lawn mower’s blades before they cut into the object. If you have small children or pets who like to leave objects around the yard, this is the best idea for you. Also, some of the robotic lawn mowers have touch sensors on them. These touch sensors are able to change the direction of the mower’s blades when they feel on object, other than grass of course, and will keep the object from being run over. These new detection systems make it very unlikely for any lawn mower related injuries to happen.
A big reason why the sonar detection systems were created was to make sure no pets get hurt because of a lawn mower. Since the detection systems were put on to some of the models, no incidents of injuries have been reported. Dogs have a natural inclination to bark and chase a moving object that makes noise. There is a better chance of your dog attacking these robotic lawn mowers than it is for a robotic lawn mower to hurt your family dog.
Another reason why so many people have opted to go with the robotic lawn mowers is because they move at a relatively slow pace, when compared to normal mowers, and it give people and/or pets the time to move out of the way. Even though it might take you a little longer to mow your lawn, it will help keep the seventy-two thousand lawn mower accidents a year from rising.
Termites are known for destroying whatever is in their path, and getting rid of them never seems easy. According to Capital Pest Services, Inc. general manager Mitch Taylor, an extermination expert who specializes in termite control at his Raleigh-based company, termites dont have to be that scary. As long as homeowners know the proper steps to take to prevent infestations, they can safeguard their properties from these menacing creatures.
In Raleigh, termite control is an especially important topic to homeowners because termites are just so common right now. Usually, I recommend that people looking for the best way to prevent termites from entering their homes get a full house Termidor termite treatment done by a professional pest control specialist.
Conventional
The termite treatment with Termidor is a conventional liquid application that involves the treatment of the soil around the houses foundation. When a termite control specialist from my company in Raleigh reports to the job site for a Termidor termite treatment, we will begin by trenching up the soil around the foundation of the house. The termiticidewhich is a chemical used to kill termiteswill then be applied into the trench, and the soil that was displaced will be filled back in on top to cover all the effected soil back up.
Single and Best
In my experience, the Termidor termite treatment is the single best way to prevent a termite infection from occurring in a home because it treats the soil around the foundation and discourages termites from entering the area to begin with. This method is far better than waiting for trouble and then responding by calling a pest control company, since it is almost always better to be proactive and preventative with pest control issues.
Safe and Environmentally Friendly
In addition, this treatment will not harm dogs, cats, or other pets around the home. Because the termiticide is applied to the soil well below the ground, homeowners do not have to worry about their dogs accidentally eating traps or chewing on found chemicals, which could be the case with some other pest chemicals that people commonly apply.
The termiticide has undergone rigorous testing, and it has even been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use. It is actually one of the more consumer and environmentally friendly products that is on the market. Furthermore, the termiticide that we use in our Termidor termite treatment is also present in the Front Line Flea and Tick Control medication that people give to dogs and cats. So you know that it has been exposed to pets before.
Preventative
It is important to emphasize that Termidor termite treatments are a preventative measure to prevent termite infestations from happening in the first place, not just a curative treatment intended to fix an infestation that has already begun.
Termite control is a big issue with many homeowners in Raleigh. In fact, we are usually ranking in the top 5% or 10% in terms of termite infestation rates annually across the entire nation. So our area is certainly highly infested with termites, and they can cause damage really quickly. Possibly more than any other pest, people are adamant about wanting to avoid a termite infestation in the first placeas opposed to waiting until an infestation begins and then treating itbecause they know how much damage termites can cause (though carpenter ants can also cause a fair amount of destruction). And the damage they cause can happen very quickly.
I recommend that homeowners who are interested in preventative termite control in Raleigh call my company, Capital Pest Services, for more information. Whether you live in a home that is new or old, big or small, it is worthwhile to look into having preventative termite treatments done to ensure that an infestation never begins in the first place. Even without ever having termite damage before, it is certainly beneficial to have a preventative treatment done and to be put under a warranty program.
Bichon Frise Training
Why you should Train your Bichon Frise?
Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for your Bichon Frise or puppy and yourself. Obedience training doesnt solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your Bichon Frise. Effective communication is necessary to instruct your Bichon Frise about what you want her to do. You can teach her anything from stay (dont bolt out the door) to sit (dont jump up on the visitors) to off (dont chew the furniture).
Bichon Frises are social animals and without proper training, they will behave like animals. They will soil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig holes in your yard, fight other Bichon Frises and even bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal Bichon Frise activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. For example, the Bichon Frise will eliminate on the carpet instead of outside; the Bichon Frise will bark all night long instead of just when a stranger is prowling around outside; or the Bichon Frise will chew furniture instead of his own toys. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach the Bichon Frise to redirect his natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.
Obedience training is also an easy way to establish the social hierarchy. When your Bichon Frise obeys a simple request of come here, sit, she is showing compliance and respect for you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top Bichon Frise or leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha roll-over. You CAN teach your Bichon Frise her subordinate role by teaching her to show submission to you in a paw raise (shake hands), roll over or hand lick (give a kiss). Most Bichon Frises love performing these tricks (obedience commands) for you which also pleasantly acknowledge that you are in charge.
Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for you and your Bichon Frise. It can enrich your relationship and make living together more enjoyable. A well-trained Bichon Frise is more confident and can more safely be allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained one. A trained Bichon Frise will come when called.
Some people debate whether or not it is possible to train puppies, and others ask whether it is possible to teach an old Bichon Frise new tricks. The answer to both questions is an unequivocal YES. Whatever the age of your Bichon Frise, the right time to begin training is right now! The most important time in your Bichon Frises life is right now. Your Bichon Frises behavior is constantly changing. A Bichon Frise that is well-behaved today will not necessarily remain that way forever. New problems can always develop. Existing problems can always get worse.
Enroll in a local Bichon Frise obedience training class to learn the basics. Then most teaching and training can and should be done in your home. It is best to begin training in an area that is familiar to your Bichon Frise and with the least amount of distractions as possible. When you feel both you and your Bichon Frise are skilled at several obedience commands, then take these commands to different areas. Introducing distractions may seem like starting all over again, but its worth the effort. In reality, who cares if your Bichon Frise will sit stay when no one is around? What
you need is a Bichon Frise who will sit-stay when company is at the door.
Who cares if your Bichon Frise heels beautifully in your own back yard? But you need to start there if you eventually want a Bichon Frise who will heel beautifully when walking down Union Street. If you want your Bichon Frise to be obedient in your car, guess where you have to practice? If you suddenly want your Bichon Frise to down-stay while you are trying to move over 3 lanes to make an exit, you had better find time to practice those obedience commands in the car long before you need them. Dont drive and practice at the same time. Practice while the car is parked or while someone else is driving.
Keep the obedience training sessions short and sweet. It is dull and boring to schedule tedious and lengthy training sessions. Instead, integrate training into your daily routine. Make obedience training interesting and meaningful to your Bichon Frise. If Puppy insists on following you from room to room while you are getting ready for the day, then insist he have something to do too. “Roll over” for your wake-up greeting. “Heel” from the bedroom to the bathroom.
“Down-stay” while youre brushing your teeth. “Heel” from the bathroom to the kitchen. “Sit-stay” while grinding the coffee beans. “Go find the ball” while you get dressed. Now “go get the leash” so you can go for a walk. “Sit” when the door is opened, “sit” again when the door is closed. And so on. Be sure that obedience training infiltrates your Bichon Frises favorite activities and that your Bichon Frises favorite activities infiltrates training. Your Bichon Frises favorite activities should become training, so that training becomes the Bichon Frises favorite activity.
Rewards While Training
The single most important aspect of training is rewarding your Bichon Frise for good behavior. The more times the Bichon Frise is rewarded, the quicker he will learn. Therefore, its essential that you set up situations repeatedly in order for your Bichon Frise to get plenty of practice at doing the right thing. Its equally as important that you always praise your Bichon Frise for good behavior instead of taking it for granted. Its easy to forget to praise good behavior because it goes unnoticed. But the very nature of misbehavior gets our attention. We dont notice when our Bichon Frise is lying quietly, but excessive barking gets our attention. How many of us take notice and praise our Bichon Frises when they chew their own toys? But we all go berserk when we notice our favorite pair of shoes chewed up! Praise and reward are the most important part of maintaining good behavior and preventing problems from arising.
Reprimands While Training
Some Bichon Frises feel they are constantly bombarded with, NO, Stop that, get off, Bad Bichon Frise! They tend to get used to it and so the reprimands become meaningless and are ignored. If most of our interaction with the Bichon Frise is praise for good behavior, then reprimands will take on much more meaning. Whenever you find the need to reprimand your Bichon Frise, immediately show him what you want him to do, then reward him for getting it right. If you catch him chewing the furniture, tell him, Off! Then immediately direct him to his own toys, enthusiastically entice him to chew on them and praise him for doing so.
If done correctly, your voice alone is sufficient for reprimand. A correct reprimand is short, sharp and immediate. Dont continue to nag the Bichon Frise and never reprimand him unless you catch him in the act. Never hit, kick, slap or spank your Bichon Frise. This type of inappropriate punishment always creates more problems and usually makes existing problems worse. Not only will you have a barking, chewing Bichon Frise, but one that is leery, hand-shy, fearful or aggressive.
Why Obedience training is essential for every pet Bichon Frise!
Obedience training establishes you as the Alpha.
Putting a leash on your Bichon Frise and teaching just one command communicates this leadership to your pet. Our pet Bichon Frises are more than willing to work and live in harmony with us, as long as they know their position in the pack. If the owner doesnt establish the leadership role, the pet Bichon Frise could develop unwanted behavior (jumping, chewing, biting, soiling the den,
etc.).