MAD ABOUT LABRADOR RETRIEVERS

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A DOG IS FOR LIFE...

I believe that the majority of dog owners love their dogs very much. And therefore we endeavour to give our dogs the best that we can. This sometimes include giving our dogs snack and treats that are for human consumption, e.g. some bread and cheese, leftover meat, bones etc. Unfortunately, what we don't realise is that alot of the foods that we eat are actually dangerous for our beloved fur-kids. Here's an article on some of the foods that can be harmful to our furry friends. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and when in doubt, please consult your vet.

Extracted from www.petalia.com.au

Feeding pets food that we enjoy is not only wrong, it can also be fatal. There are some foodstuffs that humans relish which cause illness and death if eaten by pets.Chocolate, macadamia nuts and onions are good examples. Each of these foods contains chemicals which rarely cause problems for humans, but for dogs, these same chemicals can be deadly.

Chocolate toxicity
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. When affected by an overdose of chocolate, a dog can become excited and hyperactive. Due to the diuretic effect, it may pass large volumes of urine and it will be unusually thirsty. Vomiting and diarrhoea are also common.

The effect of theobromine on the heart is the most dangerous effect. Theobromine will either increase the dog’s heart rate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Death is quite possible, especially with exercise.After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours.

Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell.

Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.

Onion and garlic poisoning
Onions and garlic are other dangerous food ingredients that cause sickness in dogs, cats and also livestock. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger.Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. At first, pets affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion.

All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion.

A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous whereas a ten-kilogram dog, fed 150 grams of onion for several days, is also likely to develop anaemia. The condition improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onionWhile garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

The danger of macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are another concern. A recent paper written by Dr. Ross McKenzie, a Veterinary Pathologist with the Department of Primary Industries, points to the danger of raw and roasted macadamia nuts for pets. The toxic compound is unknown but the affect of macadamia nuts is to cause locomotory difficulties. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Dogs have been affected by eating as few as six macadamia kernels (nuts without the shell) while others had eaten approximately forty kernels. Some dogs had also been given macadamia butter.Luckily, the muscle weakness, while painful, seems to be of short duration and all dogs recovered from the toxicity. All dogs were taken to their veterinary surgeon.

Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts, such foods should be given in only small quantities, or not at all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.

Other potential dangers
Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide posioning)
Sugar, candy, ice-cream
Potato peelings and green looking potatoes
Rhubarb leaves
Mouldy/spoiled foods
Alcohol
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)
Hops (used in home brewing)
Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)
Broccoli (in large amounts)
Raisins and grapes
Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars


Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc is a veterinary surgeon, an animal behaviour consultant and media presenter. In 1995 he qualified as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the discipline of Animal Behaviour and is one of only 15 veterinarians with this qualification in Australia. He works full time in animal behaviour management in Queensland.

Babe, we're all missing you a whole bunch especially Cleo. She spent much of last night looking for you in your little corner under the dressing table.

Yes everyone, we managed to find the owner of the little white dog that I found last Monday night.

Apart from posting details of Babe on this blog, I sent out mass SMSes to everyone in my phone book. I also sent out a "flier" via email to almost everyone in my address book, everyone except a person called Steve - I'll explain this later. I sent the flier to the SPCA, Puppy.Com and also to my other blogger friends. I also sent it to some of my Muslim friends, including a girl called Leo. Leo in turn forwarded the email to some of her friends, etc . Then, yesterday I got a call from a girl called Emelda, a friend of Leo's, who thought she recognised the dog in the pictures. She believed the dog belonged to her friend, Su-Yin. [Thank you so much for spreading the word Leo! You're a star!]

Electronic communication is a powerful tool - so don't abuse it!

The next thing I know, Su-Yin calls up and describes her dog which she had lost over a week ago. Su-Yin, at the time, had not even seen the pictures of the dog that I had. Her description was perfect and she told me the dog's name was Babe. To my delight, Babe responded to her name immediately. Although I was happy to have found the owner, I was also a bit wary that it might be someone pretending to be the owner. So I asked for proof of ownership.

Then later in the afternoon I got calls from the SPCA and some of my colleagues at work informing me that there is an advert in the papers regarding a lost dog. And they think it could be the dog that I had with me. And true enough when I checked the paper there was an ad with Babe's picture in it. But of course Su-Yin had already gotten in touch with me by then.

When Su-Yin arrived at my house last night, I didn't need the proof. Babe was so happy and excited to see her. She was prancing all around Su-Yin. I knew immediately that Babe belonged to Su-Yin especially since Babe had been barking her head off at everyone else that had come to visit me over the past week. Of course Su-Yin came armed with several pictures of Babe.

We were sad to see Babe go as we had grown rather fond of her. She was a great dog, and was very well behaved while she was with us. She had moved from sleeping in the landing upstairs into the space under the dresser in my room. We had even given her a name, Missy. Cleo liked her too which was quite strange as she normally is quite mean to all the doggies (except puppies) that stay with us.

Anyway, to my surprise Su-Yin sent me a message later in the evening to say that I actually knew her husband Steve! We had a couple of meetings together about 2 and a half years ago while I was still at Sime Darby HQ. So theoretically, Babe could have gone home alot earlier if I had sent that email to Steve. Strange how things turned out... but at the end of it all the important thing is that Babe is back home with her family... ;o)

And Babe, be a good girl and don't go running out on your own ok??? Come round and visit Cleo when you have the time...

IS THIS YOUR DOG?

Good morning everyone,

A friend of mine was asking about vaccination for dogs, and I figured I ought to put something up on the subject.

Vaccination for your puppy and / dog is very important as it can help protect them from harmful diseases. The exact vaccination requirement for each dog may differ according to breed, climate and environment. It is also very important that you track and monitor vaccination dates for your dog. Don't delay vaccination and try to ensure that booster shots etc are given on time. Set a reminder on your computer or even on your mobile so you won't forget your next appointment.

I have extracted an article from PetEducation.Com on vaccination for your puppy/dog. Please note that this is merely a guide for dog owners. Please ENSURE that you consult your local vet for the vaccination requirements for your dog.

Regards,

Natasha

A lab pup being vaccinated

Hello everyone,

In line with the recent Malaysian Responsible Dog Ownership Day, I thought I should post an article about Safety for your Dogs. There are some very interesting and important points that I feel every dog owner should know.

Regards,

Natasha

Extracted DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital

Safety Tips
Even though we care about your pets, it doesn’t mean that we want to see them in need of our care. Here are some great tips on how to avoid our emergency room and keep your pets safe all year long.

Hot Weather

Never leave your pet in the car
It may seem like a car trip will cool off your pet, but it will probably do more harm than good. The sun can raise the temperature in the car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes.

Pets, like humans, need extra water
Whether you're indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check water bowls several times a day to be sure it's full. If you go outside, be sure to bring plenty of water for both of you.

Keep a close eye on themIf they’re extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink something they shouldn’t drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but they may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals. Did you know that antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like? But watch out. It can be toxic.

Pets need sunscreen
Your pet can get sunburned, just like you! Especially if he or she has light colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause some of the same problems as with people: pain, peeling, and skin cancer. Keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you do go outside, rub a bit of pet safe sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of the ears, the skin around the lips, and the tip of the nose. Some sunblock can be dangerous to your pets. A rule of thumb: If it’s safe for babies, it’s safe for your pets.

Watch the exercise
Don’t overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop.

Inside is better than Outside - (I subscribe to this rule whole heartedly as it's always safer to have them indoors!)
Even if they’re in the shade, animals can get sick quickly on hot days. Keep them inside as much as possible. If you have to leave them outside, check on them regularly.

Watch for Heatstroke
It can be fatal. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Signs of Heatstroke:
Panting
Staring
Anxious expression
Refusal to obey commands
Warm, dry skin
High fever
Rapid heartbeat
Vomiting
Collapse


Cold Weather

A FUR COAT DOES NOT ENSURE WARMTH!
Hypothermia and dehydration are the two most probable life-threatening conditions for animals in cold weather. Make sure your pet is indoors or in covered shelter, with plenty of food and water. Blankets or thick towels, even an old quilt will give your animal something to snuggle in against the cold. If you cannot bring your animal inside, check on him or her regularly.

Animals drink less in cold weather, so it’s important to make sure your pet is getting hydrated. Be sure your pet’s water supply does not freeze.

Very young and older animals need special attention during the cold. Their immune systems can’t handle the weather as well as other pets.

Be aware that some chemicals used to melt snow are hazardous to your pet! Keep a close eye on them when they’re outside, and be sure to clean off their feet when they come back inside. That way, they won’t lick their feet and ingest any toxic residue.
Call your vet immediately with any health concerns.

Hiking & Walking in Nature
Make sure your pet has a clean bill of health. Apply a flea & tick repellant.

Map out your journey: beware of sharp rocks, steep slopes, hot sand, surf with undertow
Provide plenty of water. An average, healthy, resting 100 lb. dog requires about 3 liters a day. That may double if he’s exercising. Ocean water is not recommended.

Keep an eye on your dog. Is he showing signs of heat exhaustion? They are: excessive panting, difficulty breathing, lack of urination, brick red gums, staggering, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you are nowhere near help, immerse your pet in cool water and rest in a shady area.

Don’t share pain medication with your pet. Anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can have toxic effects on their livers, gastrointestinal systems, and kidneys.

Common Household Dangers

Anitfreeze
De-icing salts used to melt snow and ice
Chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food
Cedar and other soft wood shavings, including pine. They emit fumes that may be dangerous to small mammals like hamsters and gerbils.
Human medications including pills and ointments
String, yarn, rubber bands, and dental floss
Toys with removable parts—like squeaky toys or stuffed animals with plastic eyes
Human foods to keep away from pets:
Onions and onion powder
Alcoholic beverages
Grapes
Macadamia nuts
Turkey & chicken bones
Chocolate
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds and beans
Salt
Tomato, Potato and Rhubarb leaves and stems
Avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats)
Anything with mold growing on it.
Household plants to keep away from pets:
Azalea
Geraniums
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
Lilies
Mistletoe
Philodendron


Raw Meat
While there are advocates of raw food diets for pets, there can also be dangers associated with it. Chicken can be especially dangerous. It is a major carrier of Salmonella bacteria.

How do you know if your animal has been infected with salmonella?Here are the most common signs:

Diarrhea - often watery and containing mucus or blood
Vomiting
Increased salivation (especially cats)
Increased thirst
Abdominal pain
Other signs include:
High body temperatures
Depression
Dehydration
Weight loss
Weakness
Shock


Many animals can be infected with Salmonella but show no signs at all. That presents a real risk to humans especially young children who may handle infected pets. Basic hygiene is important to prevent the spread of the bacteria, especially after playing with animals, cleaning out their environments or handling their food and water bowls. Hands should be washed thoroughly.

Paraquat
Animals often vomit quite soon after ingesting the paraquat-containing food. Sometimes they will vomit up pieces of the food that the poison was hidden in. Occasionally they’ll vomit multiple times.
Often, animals will seem to feel better after the initial vomiting, but others will continue to vomit. Usually, within a couple of days, the vomiting will start up again, and the animals will become lethargic. They will usually stop eating. If very large quantities are ingested, they may progress more quickly through the symptoms and show signs of respiratory distress or death.

Slug Bait & Other Poisons
Slug baits:The ones containing metaldehyde are toxic to pets. They are cheap, abundant, and well advertised, but they seriously affect your pet’s central nervous system.They can cause tremors, drooling, restlessness and often proceed to seizures and death if not treated.

Non-toxic alternatives:
Beer or yeast placed in slug traps
Copper bars or crushed eggshells placed around plants
Iron phosphate pellets found under commercial name such as “Worry-Free,” "Sluggo," and "Escargot.”

Rodent Baits
The most popular chemicals used to control rodent populations have been “anticoagulants.” These cause the body to lose its ability to clot normally, and in three to five days, a rodent will die of internal bleeding. Currently, one of the most popular baits on the market is bromethalin. Animals who ingest a substantial quantity of this bait can have tremors, running fits, seizures, and death within the first few hours. Smaller amounts may cause weakness and wobbliness that progress to paralysis and coma. Bromethalin is often green and in a block or pellets like many anticoagulants.
If you can’t use non-toxic alternatives, always use a tamper-proof bait station. For the best possible results, consult with or utilize a professional who is knowledgeable about proper baiting techniques, equipment, and current products on the market and who is accustomed to treating homes with pets and children.

Fourth of July (or Hari Raya / New Year)
It’s important to be extra careful with your dog this weekend as you celebrate the 4th of July holiday. Unfortunately, this weekend is one of our busiest times at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Our expert staff wants all pet owners to keep these things in mind as they celebrate the holiday:
Trips to the ParkWith so many people and pets enjoying limited spaces, it’s important to keep control of them, either by leash or command. Keep a close eye on your dogs, and keep them within view at all times. Sniffing is an acceptable activity, but don’t allow them to eat or drink anything in a public area.

Fireworks Noise
Explosions are extremely frightening for house pets. Keep pets inside in a quiet, dark area with limited access to windows or other potential hazards. A radio or fan can provide soothing background noise to drown out the sound of fireworks outside. If you know that your pet’s nerves become extremely frazzled during this holiday, contact your veterinarian ahead of time to see if he or she recommends sedating them. Make sure your pets have proper identification in the form of ID tags or microchips, so if they escape, you can be quickly contacted when they are found.
Fireworks IngestionFireworks in shiny packages can look like an appetizing snack and, if eaten, can be poisonous to animals. And although the risk is usually small, animals can be burned from falling fireworks and sparklers. Keep both used and unused fireworks away from pets.

Holiday Food
It may be tempting to allow pets to snack alongside you at your 4th of July picnic, but “holiday food” can wreak havoc on a dog’s system. Keep fatty, sugary foods and alcoholic drinks away from prying noses.

Halloween
Before and after Halloween:
Keep all candy out of reach, not just chocolate! A lot of people know chocolate is dangerous to dogs, but so are other candies. Sugar can cause nasty gastrointestinal upset. Lollipop sticks and plastic parts and wrappers can cause intestinal obstruction and potentially rupture the intestines:THAT’S A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY!

Keep candles away from tails and toes.
Keep decorative light strands away from curious puppies and kitties. One chewing session can be dangerous and possibly deadly.

Halloween night:
Keep your pets locked indoors and away from trick-or-treaters. Dogs especially may feel that their territory is being invaded by the constant onslaught of visitors. Keeping your dog in a secluded area of the house will help him stay calm and keep him from growling or possibly biting your visiting ghouls and goblins. It will also keep your pet from being able to dart outdoors.
Don’t take your dog along trick or treating. Even typically calm dogs may get spooked by excited, shrill voices and strange costumes.
Make sure your dog has current, accurate & readable identification tags. If you have recently changed your address or phone number, update the ID immediately. If you haven’t yet, take this opportunity to have your pet micro-chipped with an AVID chip. Your vet can help you with this easy, painless procedure.
If you have a black cat, be especially careful about keeping it indoors on Halloween. Some people are superstitious about black cats and may try to scare or harm them.
Costumes are typically more fun for humans than animals:
An animal in a costume should NEVER be left alone and unsupervised. Some pets, if left alone in costume, may chew it up and ingest it. This could cause intestinal obstruction.
If the costumed pet escapes or is frightened away, the costume could get caught on trees, fences, or bushes, and your pet could get hurt.

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving weekend is always a busy time for doctors at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Often, animals get sick because of distracted or careless pet owners on Thanksgiving Day and the days that follow. Most of the problems are gastrointestinal and can be prevented.

Keep away from your pets:

Turkey Bones (They are hollow and splinter easily into sharp pieces. The splinters can lodge in your pet's throat or intestine or cause punctures to the intestinal tract and create blockages)
Turkey Carcasses (Parts may be undercooked and infected with Salmonella)
Fatty Meats & Gravy
Baked Goods
Garbage containing any leftovers (Don’t forget your outside garbage)

Alternative ways to celebrate:
Add a teaspoon of white turkey meat or broth to your pet's food to share the "Thanksgiving experience" with your animal.
Treat pets to goodies and gifts made especially for them.
Spoil them with an extra hour of brushing or a quiet walk; both of you will appreciate the reprieve from noise and relatives!

Holiday Dangers
Shiny tantalizing strings of tinsel are enticing to cats, and they often pull the silver stuff off the tree by the mouthful. Once ingested, it can become entangled in the cat’s intestines and can create a life threatening obstruction. It is best to avoid tinsel altogether if you have pets in your house.

Mistletoe is a small evergreen plant with white berries that is traditionally hung around the house in hopes of inducing festive “smooching.” All parts of the plant are toxic and as few as three berries can be lethal to a child. It is best not to have mistletoe in a home with pets or children. If it is a “must have” item for holiday tradition, find a plastic replica or seal the living plant in plastic and tack it firmly in place. Remove it as soon as possible when its desired purpose has been achieved.

With more and more of our Christmas ornamentation needing to be “plugged in,” electrical cords are in abundance this time of year. Be careful to keep pets, especially puppies and kittens, from chewing on cords. Limit the length of cords, pets' access to them, and inspect the cords frequently for any signs of fraying.

Keep chocolate away from dogs.
Dogs possess a fondness for chocolate; unfortunately, it contains a stimulant harmful to them (in addition to being loaded with fat and sugar). Keep chocolate in cupboards or sealed containers and off shelves, countertops, and coffee tables. Also beware of suspiciously good-smelling wrapped packages under the tree—no thoughtful friend or family member minds being asked if it’s chocolate when it’s for the safety of the family pet.