Holiday Pet Safety--"Ask Zena" December 2009

To read it at Petpaooza.com  click here http://www.petpalooza.com/id66.htm

Ask Zena December 2009


Dear Zena:

We have a 7 month old Lab puppy and we are worried that the puppy will be very curious about the Christmas tree.  Our family usually puts up a real tree for the holidays, is this safe or are we better off getting a fake tree this year?  Are there any other hazards we should watch out for?

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Mary
Scottsville, NY


Dear Mary:

Great question!  Puppies can be very curious but even a pet who has never bothered the tree in the past can, without warning, decide to check out something interesting hanging from the tree.

This year should be interesting for our family also.  My little sister, Phoebe, is going to be almost 8 months old this Holiday season and this will be her first experience with a Christmas tree.  We will definitely be taking some extra precautions this year.  Just remember to please use caution and common sense with any pet this Holiday season.

Here are some safety tips to help keep your pets safe:

First, let's start with some tree safety precautions.

-  Pick a good place for your tree that is not in a high-traffic area.  A corner near an outlet is ideal so that the tree is out of the way and cords won't be lying around.

-  If you decide to have a real tree, prepare the area by placing a plastic sheet or tree bag under the tree so that at the end of the season you can pull the bag or sheet over the tree minimizing the amount of needles that can fall from the tree and prevent them from being chewed or swallowed by your pet.  Make sure to sweep up needles often, ingestion of needles can cause vomiting, gastric irritation, and sometimes needles can even puncture holes in your pet's intestines.

-  Anchor your Christmas tree to the ceiling with fishing line (you won't see it) so that a rambunctious pet won't tip it over and be injured by the tree or broken ornaments.

-  Do not let your pet drink the water from the tree there may be fertilizers or bacteria in the water that will make your pet sick.  Check what preservatives are used and buy only those that are non-toxic. Also, please do NOT put aspirin in the tree water.  An option some people use is a screen to block off the area to the tree, cords and presents.

-  Buy shatterproof ornaments.  My mom bought all new shatterproof ornaments this year and we will keep the bottom branches clear of any ornaments that may tempt my sister Phoebe.  Last year we had a scare when my 2 year old human brother broke a glass ornament and it shattered all over the floor around him.  Mom feels it is just not worth it to worry about it so we will just avoid this whole entire situation.  Also, please do not use hooks on your ornaments, instead use string tied in a knot.

-  SKIP THE TINSEL!!!  There are so many other beautiful decorations out there to take the place of tinsel or even garland.  Ingestion of these materials can cause an intestinal obstruction that may require surgery.  Cats are especially attracted to the bright shiny tinsel so I say just skip it all together.

-  Hide the Cords!  Remember most puppies love to chew.  So, keep cords out of reach or purchase special cord covers that are available at most retailers.

-  Presents...Hide the presents until Christmas.  Pets do not know that they need to wait till Christmas to open the presents.  They are curious and unless you want presents opened or ruined you are better off hiding them away.  Pets can also eat the ribbon or sting on the presents, which is very dangerous.  My mom told me a very sad story about a friend of hers that placed a present from a friend under her tree not knowing that it was a box of chocolates.  Her dog found the present and ate the whole box of chocolates while she was out.  The dog did not make it.  Please do not take any chances.

-  Supervision.  This is the safest way to avoid hazards.  If at all possible do not let your pet near the tree unless supervised.

Here are some other hazards to watch out for:

-  Snow Globes.  Most are filled with anti-freeze, which is poisonous to pets.  Also, watch out for packaging such as Styrofoam, which causes a chocking hazard.  Snow spray can cause problems if inhaled or ingested.

-  Holiday Plants.  Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lillies, if ingested, can lead to health problems.

-  Small Toy Parts.  Put away toys after children open their gifts.  Small parts could be eaten by your pet.

-  Candles.  Keep candles high and out of reach to avoid burns or being knocked over.

-  Wipe Your Pet's Paws.  Ice melts and salts, if ingested, can cause gastrointestinal inflammation.  One way to prevent this from happening is to clean your pets feet when returning from a walk.

-  Anti-Freeze.  Unfortunately, ingestion of anti-freeze is very common in the winter months.  Do not let your pet drink from puddles and clean your pet's paws when coming in from the outdoors.  Anti-freeze has a sweet taste that attracts pets, but it is very toxic and can cause permanent kidney damage.

-  Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.  Not just for the obvious reasons but also for the fact that when the batteries start going bad these devices send out an alert or an alarm at a high frequency, which is very painful to your pet's ears.


Even after all the precautions are taken, you suspect your pet has ingested glass, broken plastic, staples or any other small, sharp object, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, you can call your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24 hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.  Make sure you keep all emergency numbers easily accessible, the last thing you want to do in an emergency is search for a phone number.

I hope this information help you and your pets enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.

Keep the questions coming!   I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a fantastic New Year!

Sincerely,

Zena

Happy Holidays!

Biscuits with Santa--Canine Holiday Party and Fundraiser

How does your dog's food rate????

http://www.petpalooza.com/id66.html

Below is a rating system for pet foods that may be helpful in showing you where your current brand lies and what are considered quality ingredients.  We are not surprised to see that the brands that we carry rated highest on this grading because we are very careful about the foods that we offer our clients to ensure optimum health and wellness for your pet. Not surprising to see Science Diet, Purina, Iams and Royal Canin at the bottom, with an F (Failed) rating. Don't be fooled by advertising that you see on T.V. Quality food companies put their money into quality ingredients for your pet, not in mass advertising. And when you see the big name brands introducing "new and improved natural formulas" don't be fooled into believing that a lack of artificial ingredients means the rest of the food is good quality. Corn is natural, but you won't ever find it in our pet foods here because it is merely a cheap source of protein many companies use instead of meat, yet can cause a host of problems in your pet, being a high sugar carb.

 

How to grade your pet's food:
Start with a grade of 100:

1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points
2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat -not actual protein source stated such as chicken, lamb, turkey etc) reference, subtract 10 points
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points for each
4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (I.e. "ground brown rice", "brewers rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6) If the meat protein sources are not in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7) If it contains any artificial colorants or preservatives, subtract 3 points for each
8 ) If it contains corn (ground corn, corn gluten, whole grain corn etc) subtract 3points
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10) If the food contains any added animal fat other than fish or flaxseed oil, subtract 2 points
11) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13) If it contains wheat or a component of wheat such as gluten, subtract 3 points
14) If it contains "digest" subtract 5 points
15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

  

Extra Credits:
Bonus credit-If the food contains NO grains, add 10 points

1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2) If the protein source is meal vs meat, add 5 points
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4) If the food contains probiotics or prebiotics, add 3 points
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points (these may be hard to determine as many manufacturers of natural holistic food use these products without actually printing the information on the bag)
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2points
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one  protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1  point
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14) If the vegetables are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Score:
100+ = A+   94-100=A  86-93 = B     76-85 = C     75 or lower= Failed

Some of our Dog Food scores (not in order of points):

Canidae / Score 117 A+
Foundations / Score 111 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 100 A
Innova Evo / Score 129 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 102 A+

Pro Series Holistic                    120 A+

Orijen-not yet rated-high score guaranteed

A sample of "popular" store brands scored:

Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F

Glossary

Animal Digest: This is the dry by-product of rendered meat. During rendering, all usable animal parts (including fetal tissues and glandular wastes) are heated in vats and the liquid is separated from the dry meal. This meal is covered with charcoal and labeled "unfit for human consumption" before processing it into pet food. Digest can also include intestines, as well as the contents of those intestines, such as stool, bile, parasites and chemicals.
Animal Fat and Tallow: Animal fat is a "generic" fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, rancid restaurant grease or other oils that are deemed inedible for humans. Tallow is low quality hard white fat that most animals find hard to digest, not to mention the cardiac risks resulting.
Chemical Preservatives: Chemical preservatives include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytolulene), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used in automotive antifreeze and is suspected of causing red blood cell damage) and ethoxquin , are all potentially cancer causing agents that your pets are eating every day.
Chicken By-products: These are ground parts from poultry carcasses such as feet, heads, feathers, intestines, necks and undeveloped eggs and can included any rendered material.
Corn Products: Corn products including corn meal, gluten and grits are cheap, allergy causing fillers and are very difficult for animals to digest.
Food Fragments: Lower end by-products of the food manufacturing process, examples include wheat bran and brewers rice which are a waste product of the alcohol industry.
Ground Whole Grain Sorghum: The feed value of grain sorghum is similar to corn and is grown primarily as a feed grain for livestock.
Meat and Bone Meal: “Meat” and bone meal are inexpensive sources of animal protein. Note that these companies do not clarify the source of “meat”, nor are they human-grade meat. The protein in Meat meal containing a large amount of processed bone may not be digestible and fail to provide adequate nutrition.
Meat Based: A label that say "meat based" may also include blood vessels, tendons, organs and other parts of the rendered animal. Note again that these companies do not clarify the source of “meat”, nor are they human-grade meat products.
Meat By-products: Pet grade meat by-products consist of organs and parts not desired or not fit for human consumption. This can include organs, bones, blood and fatty tissue. It can also include brains, feet, heads, intestines and any other internal parts. Unbelievably, by-products can also contain cancerous or diseased tissue containing parasites, euthanized animals, .

Choosing dog food is a very personal decision, and no one formula is ideal for any breed. High protein, meat-based diets are not simply for pets with kidney/urinary issues or high metabolism pets, they are ideal for many because of the fact that dogs and cats are carnivores, not meant to eat grains or fillers. Grains are fillers, and metabolize into sugar, causing a gammit of problems including allergies, behavior issues and also poor muscle building. Food companies add corn/wheat etc to keep the price down and an important factor to keep in mind is that when you feed a higher quality food, you don't end up paying more in the long run because your pet needs to eat less in order to receive optimal nutrition from the food, not to mention the money saved on vet bills resulting from problems caused by poor quality nutrition. Foods full of fillers equal "garbage in/garbage out", meaning more food is required in order to receive the necessary nutrition, more stool is output to rid the body of grains and fillers that are unnecessary and undigestible (such as corn). We believe you should spend your money on your pet, not your vet.

The most important thing for anyone considering a new food is to read read read the label. First ingredient should be a human grade meat-meat meal is ideal because it means the water has been removed prior to weighing. Corn, Wheat, Glutens, BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, By-products, Animal Digest and chemicals/preservatives are all ingredients you want to avoid! I can't begin to tell you how many clients come in with the label of their current pet food and are appalled to see what is actually in the food they are feeding, because they didn't read the label, or most commonly, simply did not understand what the ingredients were.

Most independent pet stores offer frequent buyer benefits, and the smaller independent retailers are more likely to be knowledgeable regarding nutrition. It is not as important where you shop as it is to be informed about what your pet requires for ultimate health, and to be informed about the toxic effects of many ingredients that are in grocery store/big box/mass produced brands.

How to Keep your Dog Safe on Thanksgiving!

Stuff the Turkey, Not the Dog: 10 Things to Hide from Your Pet this Thanksgiving

Written by:  Janine Kahn

We all know how hard it can be to resist those begging eyes and that furry face you can deny nothing on any given day, and on Thanksgiving – with the fragrant smell of that really rich dinner swimming throughout the house – the temptation can be that much worse. But this year, do your dog a favor and keep her away from the items listed below. Pookie Dearest might be miffed for the evening, but her stomach will thank you the next day.
1. Turkey Skin – On its own, turkey skin can be fatty and hard to digest, but on Thanksgiving it’s particularly bad (just think of the butter, oils and spices rubbed into it). If you must share the turkey with your dog, do peel the skin off and cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces. And consider choosing the white meat over the dark for your pooch – it’s a little blander and easier to digest.
2. Cooked Bones - Whether your bird is duck, goose or turkey, do not give the bones to your dog. Any dog cartoon features Fido carrying a bone around in his mouth, but the reality is that a cooked bone is often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your pet’s intestine. And bird bones are hollow and break easily.
3. Gravy/Buttery Side Dishes - This one goes hand-in-hand with the turkey skin. Fatty foods and trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogs at worst and diarrhea or vomiting at “best.” ThePoop.com suggests substituting gravy with a little turkey broth if you really want to give your pup a treat.
4. Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap – Dispose of these when you’re done with them. There are two risks here: one, your pet will be licking the fatty substances off the wrappings, and two, swallowing these can cause an intestinal obstruction.
5. Chocolate - Not that we think that you would intentionally feed your dog chocolate (which we all know can be toxic to our canine friends), but since candy is often left out on tables for guests during the holidays, it made the list. Be sure to keep bowls filled with chocolate out of reach.
6. The Garbage Pail – A frustrated pet who can’t get a scrap out of his usually-generous parents may be tempted to dig around the trash bin and find a good number of the items listed above.
7. The Kitchen – Thanksgiving can be the busiest day of the year for the kitchen, and you’ll want to keep your pup out of there. With hot dishes being whisked from one counter to the next, there’s a chance a dog that’s under foot could be burned or cut if something were to shatter.
8. Holiday Plants – Sure it’s Thanksgiving, but a good number of people have already decked the halls with holly by this time. Know that Poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs.
9. Decorations – Glass ornaments and candles are just begging for trouble. Like the chocolate, keep these out of reach.
10. Guests Who Mean Well – Educate your less pet-savvy visitors (and hey, maybe even send them this list). A child may accidentally feed a dog some chocolate and your great aunt might think she’s being nice by sharing her turkey skin.


Pass it on!!!

Bone Marrow--things I've learned

Hi it's Tara, Zena's Mom!!! I'm taking over her blog to hopefully educate some people and also spread the word about a bone marrow clinic going on tomorrow downtown.

Recently, I was on Craigs List and came across a post looking for help in planning out a charity event so I e-mailed the person and offered any assistance that I could give.

Come to find out this person was trying to put together a charity event to raise money for a family who's little boy is sick with a rare congenital disorder called Osteopetrosis.

This little boy needs a bone marrow transplant and the family has to travel to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital more than a few times.

I had no idea that a disorder could make you in need of a bone marrow transplant, I always thought that it was only cancer that was needed for. Well, you learn something new everyday.


This little boy's family keeps a blog going on all the details going on in his life and if you are interested in learning more go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephparthenais

From reading the blog I found out that to be listed in the bone marrow registry it could cost upwards of $100 or more to get tested through your regular doctor & insurance does not cover the test.

This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to be tested. It's a swab in the mouth test so NO NEEDLES!!!! See details below, I'm going to get tested!!!!

There is no obligation to go, but I wanted to share it with everyone in case someone would like to do this.

Monroe Community College is hosting a free Bone Marrow Drive. It will be held on Wednesday November 4th from 10am - 3pm @ the downtown campus (Old Sibley's Building) & 10am - 4pm @ the Brighton campus. They are asking for a $1 donation per person. I have listed the information below. If you are tested, you will be enterted into the "Be a Match Registry". This is the registry used to find matches for people requiring bone marrow transplants, just like Joseph. It is a saliva swab that is used, so no needles!

Parking can be difficult, so be sure to bring quarters for parking meters, if you plan to attend.

Thank you for listening!!!

Tara

Happy Birthday Zena Marie Pugsly!!!!!

Happy Birthday Zena!!!!

8 years old today

To the best dog and friend
anyone could ever have.

I love you!!!!

Urgent - Emaciated sweet female pit - needs foster/rescue

Please Pass on the Information to your friends!!!

I received this e-mail earlier today. Information for the person to contact about this dog is at the bottom of this e-mail, thank you!!

Urgent - Emaciated sweet female pit - needs foster/rescue - Please crosspost (ROC)


This sweet girl was surrendered in the City of Rochester by a man who clearly could not care for her -- additionally his electricity had been shut off so there was no heat. Who knows when her last meal was. She is starved, weighing about 25 lbs. Probably about 1-2 years old, it appears that she has had a litter of pups. She is a smaller framed girl, a "pocket pittie", but she def. should have at least 20 lbs added to her body. She is very sweet, and dog friendly. She loves people and is attention starved as well. She is not good with cats, but possibly could do better with them after further exposure.
**She is safe--- but needs rescue or at least a foster who can devote more time to her & getting her healthy. She needs one on one, and to be on a good food regimen to beef her up.
Please crosspost -- this is urgent as current foster home is FULL and cannot house this sweet baby.
Donations are needed towards food costs & vetting.
If anyone can help---please email or call me ASAP!

Thank you so much!
Lindsay
--
~~~~~~~~~
Lindsay Bachl
585.520.2122 cell

Live, Love, Rescue.
Adopt, don't shop.
www.petfinder.com

Ask Zena: House breaking a Pug (or any other stubborn pooch!)

Dear Zena:

We recently got a Pug puppy and I heard that Pugs are difficult to house break. Is this true? Do you have any tips for us on how to house break our Pug puppy? Sincerely, Amy Brockport, NY



Dear Amy:

I chose this question not only because it is a good question but because it is what me and my family are experiencing right now. I recently acquired a new baby sister, Phoebe, she is a Pug also. She is about 12 weeks old and for a puppy she is not doing all that bad with the Puggie potty training. I think what helps is that she has me to follow around and to learn from. Also, if at all possible, my mom prefers to get a puppy when it is spring, summer or fall, definitely not winter. The cold and snow just makes it more difficult to house train a puppy.

Obviously, training your puppy to do its business outside also depends on your family's lifestyle. Not every dog is the same nor is everyone's lifestyle so you will need to choose the appropriate method of house training that suits your dog's personality and your daily routine. Let us begin with your first question, "Are Pugs hard to housebreak?" The answer is neither yes or no. Pugs are somewhere in the middle. Pugs are very intelligent dogs but they also have a stubborn streak, which unfortunately can rear its ugly head during the training process. Just keep calm, keep focused, and stay consistent. Here is some information that can aid you in the training process and help keep you realistic about expectations of your new puppy.

Pugs (and other small dogs) do not have the muscular ability to control their urges until they are about 12 weeks old, so anytime before that, when they have to go, they have to go. This does not mean that you can't start training before then but don't get upset when they have an accident, they just can't control it. Remember, praise is the key. When your puppy does his/her business outside, where they are supposed to, be sure to give them lots of hugs and kisses for doing the right thing (Pugs are attention and affection hogs). Pugs, and other small dogs, do not have the ability to hold it like large breed dogs, their bladders are smaller and they need to go more often. So, if your dog leaves you a present on the floor, which will happen, please choose to be calm and cool about it, scolding them will only teach them to fear you and you don't want that. If your dog does have an accident, please be sure to clean it up with a an odor eliminator (follow the directions on the label carefully) and clean it thoroughly. You may not smell it but your dog (and other dogs) will and chances are they will have a mistake in that same spot again.

There are many different methods to house train your dog, what you choose will all depend on your lifestyle, what may have worked for your friend and their dog may not work for you. Some methods are: • Crate Training - teach your Pug to hold themselves when in their crate - best if you are home some of the day and remember to get a crate that is big enough for them to lie down, stand up, and turn around but no bigger than that. • Paper Training - teach your Pug to go on a designated spot of house training paper - best if you are not home most of the day and do not have help • Schedule Based Training (SBT) - teach your Pug to go out at consistent, regular times - best if you are home most of the day or have help who is home, and you can be absolutely regular with the schedule Pick a method that works best for your lifestyle, as it's critical that you be consistent and set yourself up for success.

Also, learn the behaviors of your dog. By observing your dog's habits you will start to notice certain things that he or she does right before they are about pee or poop. When you see your dog doing these tell tail signs, bring them outside quick and when they do their business outside, give them lots of praise. Remember house breaking does NOT happen over night. Be patient and be consistent, some dogs can take up to 6 months before they are fully house trained. Another secret my mom told me (she learned this from me and my sister Buffy) that sometimes us Puggies like to go outside and play rather then do our business and then come inside and realize "oh, I forgot to pee or poop" and then do it inside. Be sure to watch your dog when they are outside and see if they are really going or if they are too busy playing with the others. You may have to let them out separately. If they are out there alone and too busy sniffing and checking out the sites and sounds of the world, you may have to stay out their with them and take them to a designated spot in the yard and repeat a certain command like, potty or whatever term suits you, until they do their business and then they can play, just keep an eye on them!!!

Well, I could go on and on about this subject so your best bet is to go on the Internet and do some research or pick up a book on Pugs with house breaking tips and look it over and find what method will work for you and your dog. Just remember, you made a commitment to be a parent/guardian to this dog. Don't be like the other 3,000,000 people per year that surrender their dog because they we're not successful at house training them. More often than not, it is the person's fault for not sticking to the method they have chosen and lack the persistence and patients that is needed to do this correctly. Please live up to your commitment.

Thank you Amy, I hope this information helps.

Sincerely,

Zena Marie Pugsly

Pet Tip of the Day! What to do if your dog eats a bone.

Bones are a bit controversial. Some bones can be fine and others can be problematic. In general, most veterinarians don't encourage owners to feed their dogs bones. Bones cause problems because they are a choking hazard and are not easily digested.

Bones generally do not break down in the stomach and intestine as does food. This means that your dog may have to pass the bone fragments through his stool. This can lead to constipation, requiring a trip to the veterinarian. It is also possible for bone fragments to break off and tear the intestinal lining.

Determining if a bone is a problem or not will depend on the size of your dog, the number of bones they got and the size of the bone or bones that they ingested. One small bone in a big dog is generally not a big deal.

If you have specific concerns, call your vet or local emergency clinic. Give them information about the size of your dog and the number and size of bones they got.

Poll: Week Thirteen - Who is the cutest pup?

Poll: Week Thirteen - Who is the cutest pup?

This past week Zena's Sister Buffy is up for Pet of the Week on WHEC tv 10's website, please vote for her!!! It's a tight race between her and Mya a Yorkie

Monroe County Dog Park Fundraiser-Paws in the Park

Pugstock 2009

Pugstock was a great success yesterday!

To see photos from this event please visit my Flickr page.

To see the video taken at the event that was aired on Channel 8 news, click here.

Zena and Buffy- Pug Bath Time

My daughter, who is only 4, decided to tape me giving Zena and Buffy a bath, sorry for the quality of the video, Michela is still learning, LOL.