Daily Archives: December 21, 2011
Adoption Centers to Replace Pet Stores in Malls
Adoption centers to replace pet stores at malls?
By: Brian Webb
PHOENIX – Pet stores at malls may soon be replaced by pet adoption centers.
Westcor may be planning to make the transition company wide, in all of its 90 stores across America.
They own many in Arizona and have already swapped traditional pet stores with adoption centers run by the Humane Society at two Valley malls.
Company officials will only say they are working on the details.
The deal would reportedly let leases run out on the pet stores and the adoption centers would move in rent free.
Animal rights groups are rejoicing. Many of them protest traditional pet stores at malls on a weekly basis, claiming the animals there are often neglected, mistreated, and come from puppy mills.
“We are very, very happy” said Jan McClellan who protests pet stores at Valley malls every weekend for the past few years. “It’s good for business and will save many lives.”
Vermont Getaway with your pets
I adore these guys. They really roll out the carpet for you and your pets. Feel like a winter getaway in the beautiful northern Vermont region this is the place. Want to hit the slopes, snowshoes,snow mobile or just hangout inside with your furry friend this is it.
Dogs and Vomiting
DOG HEALTH CARE
All About Dogs and Vomiting
from Dogster.com
Have you ever watched in disgusted amazement as your dog, who has just vomited on the rug, feverishly tries to eat it up before you can get to it? This behavior may seem bizarre to us but in the dog world it is par for the course and is considered a delightful course indeed. Dogs probably strive too hard to eat their vomit because 1. their mothers regurgitated food for them when they were puppies and 2. their heightened sense of smell reveals the actual food particles in it.
Some vomiting is normal for dogs. Dogs vomit for many reasons including an irritated stomach, eating too fast or too much, or sometimes because of nervousness. A large amount of the time, vomiting is not something to worry about but sometimes it can indicate a serious condition. If your dog vomits once or more a week and it is accompanied by diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, check with your vet. The trick is know a bit about canine vomiting, what to do, and when to haul your butt to the emergency vet.
How to Know Your Dog is Going to Vomit
This may seem silly but it helps to know the signs of a dog getting ready to vomit so you can have necessary equipment on hand before the expulsion. A well-prepared dog owner can recognize the signs, grab her cleaning carrier and paper towels and beat the vomit to the floor. It can also help you prepare in case it is a situation where you’ll need to get help immediately.
Signs of a Pre-Vomiting Dog:
Wretching – that noise that comes from your dog that sounds like he has something stuck in his throat. You will also see his throat straining back and forth.
Stiff Stance – your dog may become rigid as he attempts to keep from vomiting.
Wandering – a dog will often wander aimlessly right before he vomits.
How to Deduce if Your Dog Has Eaten Something Poisonous or an Object
The first thing to do is to check your dog’s vomit. It may make you a bit queasy but, by doing this, you can look for any bits of foreign objects. Keeping an eye on your dog, look for food or products he might have eaten in the immediate area and the area he has just come from. Signs of things eaten include wrappers, crumbs, pieces of an object (such as a plastic bag) and things that used to be there that aren’t now.
List of Some Common Dangerous Things Swallowed
Food
Chocolate
Avocado
Any fruit pits
Raisins or grapes
Mushrooms
Potato peelings
Household Products
Cleaning products – any cleaning product is dangerous to dogs, though the natural ones are far less toxic.
Anti-freeze
Auto oil
Cocoa mulch
Gardening chemicals
Some household plants.
Things We Forget About
Bones that splinter
Toys with removable parts
String, rubber bands and even dental floss
Sugarless chewing gum
How to Induce Vomiting in Emergencies
Always try to call your vet or emergency clinic before considering inducing vomiting. Induce vomiting ONLY when it’s absolutely necessary and you’ve talked to a professional unless you suspect he’s eaten something dangerous (especially anti-freeze). But do not attempt to induce vomiting if your dog has lost consciousness or swallowed something that can harm his throat on the way back up, such as a sharp piece of bone.
To induce vomiting, open your dog’s mouth gently and squirt a small amount of an emetic like hydrogen peroxide or ipecac syrup down his throat. It takes around a teaspoon of ipecac syrup per 10 lbs. of body weight to induce vomiting. An overdose can cause heart problems so try to be accurate when measuring. Wait ten minutes and retry. If he doesn’t vomit after the second try, get him to a vet immediately.
What to Do After Your Dog has Vomited
Make Certain There is No Obstruction – gently place your hand in his mouth and at the top of his throat. If he is wheezing or has trouble breathing, there could be an obstruction further down so get him to the vet immediately.
Give Him Fluids – including electrolytes.
Keep Him Warm – a blanket and hugs work well.
Reassure Him – make sure he doesn’t think he’s done something wrong.
Feed Bland Food – feed your dog a diet of cooked chicken and white rice for a few days.
How to Know When to Go to the Emergency Vet
Safe is always best so if you have any reason to be worried, call your vet or the emergency clinic immediately and go there. Also, look for signs of poisoning or obstruction. These include chills, shaking, breathing difficulty, seizure, drooling or staggering. And when you check your dog’s vomit, if you see any more than a few drops of blood or any amount of yellow bile, it’s an emergency.
Different Ends of the Spectrum – Puppies and Senior Dogs and Vomiting
Puppies and senior dogs vomit more than those in between. Follow these guidelines to look for danger signs but, if after your vet checks him over, don’t worry too much if they throw up almost daily, unless it is accompanied by other signs of illness. They both have less ability to keep food down than adult dogs.
With a bit of preparation you can be a Super-Vomitocious Dog Owner and be certain that your dog will be healthy and safe. Carrying a cloth and some Nature’s Miracle around doesn’t hurt either.
Homemade Holiday Treats for Cats
Loki turned a year old on February 18th. She got a yummy birthday dinner of some random seafood.
There’s not much more that a cat loves than a tasty treat. This year for Christmas, I’m making my own healthy, homemade treats for my pets. When making homemade treats, it’s important to useingredients that will benefit your cat’s health, while giving him a taste he will love. Also, remember that treats are not meant to replace mealtimes; feed your cats good, quality food and share treats in small amounts. You can make the holidays special for your pets, too, simply by making them a special treat of their own.
Tuna Crackers
You will need: six ounces undrained tuna, one cup cornmeal, one cup flour, one third cup water. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl using your hands. Roll out the dough into a fourth-inch thickness and cut it into small, bite-sized pieces. Place them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool.
Poultry Treats
You will need: one and a half cups cooked chicken or turkey, one large egg, two tablespoons chicken broth, one cup cornmeal, one half cup whole wheat flour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend poultry, egg and broth in a blender or food processor. Transfer to a bowl. Add cornmeal and flour, stirring until moistened. Cover the dough and refrigerate two hours. Roll out to one-fourth inch thick on a lightly floured board and cut into small squares or triangles. Spread them out onto greased baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes, or until golden. Let cool and refrigerate up to two weeks (freeze for longer-lasting treats).
Chicken Dinner
You will need: five ounces chicken chunks, half cup cooked rice, half cup cooked broccoli, one-fourth cup steamed carrots, chopped, and chicken broth. Put all the ingredients except the broth into a food processor. Process on high, slowly pouring in the broth until it becomes a pasty consistency. Refrigerate for up to one week.
Help your cats feel special this holiday season by giving them a tasty treat, such as a chicken dinner or tuna crackers. By making your own snacks, you will know what is in them, and you can ensure only the highest quality ingredients are used. They will never know that it is healthy for them, as long as it tastes good. Make your own healthy, homemade cat treats during the holidays and your pets will love you for it.
by Tonya Hillukka
newenglandpetguide 