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Guide Dog Puppy Raising Club
Arapahoe County, Colorado

SAFETY TIPS FOR DOGS (and cats)

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For more safety tips, see Malady of the month and look under Environmental Hazards.




coyote Urban Wildlife
In Colorado, we live with wildlife all around us. As suburban sprawl encroaches on wild areas, clashes between wild animals, people, and our pets become more frequent. Raccoons and foxes are nocturnal, and may not be seen, but they serve as a reservoir of diseases such as rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis. Another threat to our puppies comes from coyotes, and less commonly mountain lions. Compared to chasing down a deer or rabbit, a fat, wobbly three-month-old puppy may look like a tempting midnight snack to an urban carnivore. It is not unknown for a coyote or fox to lie in wait and snatch a puppy during a late-night potty sessionóeven with a person standing on the porch watching, and an adult dog in the yard! Others snatch small dogs right from their leashes on evening or night-time walks. While coyotes are present all year, they may be more active in the spring when they have pups, or in the coldest part of winter when their natural food is less available.

There are several simple steps one can take to safeguard our puppies from attack--especially when they are small and haven't been fully inoculated. Keep the puppy on a leash at all times. Never allow the puppy loose in the yard until you have thoroughly checked that the gate is closed and everything is secure. Stay and watch the puppy; don't leave a young puppy unattended in a yard, even for a few minutes, especially at night.

Don't leave pet food outside for wild creatures to snack on--they will not leave your pet alone because they are 'full' of the food you offer. Instead, they will become more of a threat by being attracted to your property. Light your yard with flood lights or motion detector lights. Keep garbage in tightly sealed containers, and keep the containers clean so they don't smell and attract wildlife.

 Walk your dog in well-lighted, busy areas and avoid places where coyotes and fox frequent, like the Highline Canal, greenbelts and streams. If you meet a coyote or fox when you're out for a walk, keep your distance and do not approach it. Keep your dog as close as possible to you on its leash--if it's small enough, pick it up and carry it. Move as quickly as you can to well-lighted areas where there are more people present. If the animal approaches you, throw rocks or sticks and use a loud authoritative voice to frighten it away. Some people recommend carrying a can filled with rocks or coins that you use as a noisemaker. If you see a coyote or fox in your yard and your pup is inside the house, crate your puppy so he cannot escape accidentally. Then turn on the lights and make the intruder know that it is unwelcome. Some coyotes are frightened away by people yelling and swinging sticks or a broom. If your puppy is in the yard, do whatever you can to frighten the coyote and get your puppy back into the house. Wild animals are usually shy and will run when confronted by people. If the animal seems friendly or bold, this may be a sign that it is sick. Leave it alone and call the Division of Wildlife to report the incident.

There is more information about living with wildlife on the CSU Extension Website. Click here for more info on Urban Coyotes.



4th of July Safety Reminders from the ASPCA


For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:
·  Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

·  Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

·  Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

·  Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

·  Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it.While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

·  Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
 
·  Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

·  Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.


dog in a car SUMMER SAFETY

Summer is time for fun in the sun, but it can also be a hazardous time for our puppies. Here are a few tips that will help your pup enjoy the summer as much as you do!
 Never leave your puppy in a parked car, or anywhere he cannot find shade and water on a hot day. Heatstroke can occur a matter of minutes. Symptoms include: rapid, noisy breathing; bright red tongue and mouth; thick saliva; vomiting; elevated temperature; an unsteady, staggering gate; bloody diarrhea; weakness, coma, and death. If your dog is overheated, move him to cooler quarters, such as an air conditioned room. More pronounced cases can respond to immersion in cool water. If your dog is in real distress, seek emergency veterinary attention at once.

Carry water and a folding bowl with you at all times when you are socializing your puppy. Be aware of your puppy’s general condition. A puppy can overexert itself on a hot day and get overheated just running in the yard or pounding the pavement socializing. Know the symptoms of heatstroke and stop the activity before it becomes an emergency.

Check the temperature of the pavement before you go out. Hot asphalt can burn your puppy’s sensitive feet. If the temperature is too hot, leave your puppy at home in the cool comfort of his crate.

Summer is mosquito season. Be faithful with your heartworm preventive medication on the first of the month.

Parvo and other transmissible diseases love warm temperatures. Don’t take a young pup to parks and other places with high dog traffic before your pup has finished its entire series of booster shots.

Be aware of your dog's reaction to loud thunderstorms and fireworks and keep it inside or crated for safety. Remember, raisers need their PRA's approval before attending professional fireworks displays with their puppies.

Pesticides, weed killer and fertilizer are sources of potential poisoning. Be sure to read the labels, and don’t allow dogs access to treated areas until it is safe to do so.

Overheated cars can leak coolant or antifreeze that tastes sweet to dogs—but is deadly. In addition to keeping your own garage free of these poisons, be aware that spills may happen in parking lots, and closely monitor what your pup may be sniffing or sampling on the way in to the store.

Supervise your pup and keep it under control around hot barbecue grills, swimming pools, and other potential accident sites. Be aware of hazards such as a Kong toy chopped unintentionally to bits by a lawn mower, those tantalizing chicken bones from a picnic, garden hose left within reach, and other items that might tempt your puppy to eat or chew and could end up causing a medical
emergency.

Valentine’s Day SAFETY TIPS From the ASPCA
Pet-Safe Bouquets: Many pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offendin
g flower or plant. Try this link for a toxic plant guide.

Forbidden Chocolate: Seasoned pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate, including baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates, methylxanthines—caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don’t leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.

Careful with Cocktails: Spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large enough amount is ingested.

Life Is Sweet: So don’t let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn:  Don’t let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorns that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.

Playing with Fire: It’s nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.

Wrap it Up:  Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.

The Furry Gift of Life? Giving a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine’s Day gift—however, returning a pet you hadn’t planned on is anything but romantic. Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a pet for someone else doesn’t always turn out right. Give a gift certificate for pet adoption, sponsor an animal at a shelter, or plan a romantic trip to the shelter together.

Spring Hazards From the American Veterinary Medical Association:
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: 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.



snow WINTER SAFETY

During the winter and holiday season, raisers deck the halls with "indoor plumbing" (aka Christmas trees), chew toys, and a wonderland of snacking choices (from a puppy's-eye-view). Here are a few things you can do to keep your puppy out of the proverbial doghouse–and the emergency room.

Weather Hazard: Our puppies are inside dogs; they feel the cold as much as we do. If it's too cold for you outside without a coat, it's too cold for your dog. Feet, tails, ears and genitals frostbite easily. And remember, your dog needs water just as much in winter as in summer, so make sure it has constant access to the water bowl.

Choking/Chewing Hazard: Strings of lights, colorful glass ornaments, wrapped packages and ribbons can all tempt puppy mouths to stray. Wads of material or sharp objects ingested can cause damage or a blockage that can require surgery to remove. Dogs chew to relieve stress, so be extra vigilant about your puppy's extracurricular chewing activities during this bustling time of year.

Electric Shock Hazard: The electrical cords associated with holiday lights tempt a puppy to chew. Keep extension cords away from where the puppy will have access.

Poisoning Hazard: Holiday goodies like chocolate and greenery like poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic, as are tinfoil wrapping on candy and tinsel on the tree. "No people food" goes double at the holidays. Rich food can bring on digestive woes and worse, so resist the temptation to give holiday table scraps–even to pet dogs–and put up the leftovers before your puppy can even begin to think about stealing from table or counter.
    Salt and snow-melt products can be irritating to the feet and toxic if ingested. If you've been socializing your puppy where these chemicals are used, wash its feet and undercarriage in warm sudsy water as soon as you get home to minimize the impact. Of course, even a taste of antifreeze can be fatal, so keep it in tightly closed containers away from your puppy and clean up any spills immediately and thoroughly. Watch out in parking lots that your dog doesn't steal a sip of someone's spilled radiator fluid or step in a puddle that he will lick off his feet in the car.

Lost Dog Hazard: In all the holiday hubbub it can be easy to lose track of your dog's whereabouts. Make sure she's securely confined in her crate or a closed room before the festivities kick into high gear. Check your dog's tags to make sure they are all there–both GDB and local I.D.–and that all the information on them is current.

WINTER WALKING
From Jane Smoak
What do you think about when it's cloudy and cold? Got that old cabin fever? If you are like many people I know, thoughts of Spring are creeping in. Thinking how nice it will be to walk the dogs once it gets warmer? Why wait? Winter walks require some planning but can be rewarding. Don't go if the temperature is below freezing; don't stay out too long and get really cold. Just a short spin, five to ten minutes will do. Need a walk on a really cold day? Try the mall right when they open so it isn't busy yet. You need to consider your footing as well as the footing of the puppy you have by your side. It's also best to wash the puppy's feet when you get home so that they don't lick off any antifreeze or ice melting chemicals. Winter can actually be a great time to get out with your dog. There are so many people who want the warm weather instead that the dog walker numbers are greatly diminished This means that you might have the entire park to yourself and the birds, or at least smaller numbers of dogs right now. Winter is great for surface issues as well. You can have a dry sidewalk on one side of the street and a snow covered one on the other side. There may be puddles and there may be some brittle ice that cracks when you step on it. Sure, it may be cold outside, but if these pups are going to be guide dogs they will need to be able to deal with lots of different types of weather. So, go grab your coat and and a leash and enjoy some nice winter walking.





CAUTIONARY TALES

Dangerous Toys
GDB TOY POLICY - Take it seriously!  The story at this link about a dog whose tongue was amputated due to a defective toy demonstrates graphically the reasons GDB has put a toy policy in place--and why we should all carefully follow it, including the ages and supervision levels recommended! Remember, just because a toy LOOKS like a kong or other approved toy, that doesn't make it safe for our puppies. Make sure you get the exact products on the approved list, and supervise your dog closely at all times! Take toys away and replace them when they become dangerous--that is, when pieces break off a Kong or nyla, when a sterile bone begins to splinter or is shorter than the jawbone of the dog and could get stuck in its mouth. Booda Bones should not be left where the dogs can chew them up, but do discard them when/if they start to unravel. HPWT's store sells only approved toys, so we recommend you get your toys at club meetings. For other environmental hazards, check out Malady of the Month.
Paper Shredders PAPER SHREDDERS POSE DANGER TO DOGS!
Ellen Lutz learned that firsthand last month, when her golden retriever ambled into her home office and licked her paper shredder. To her horror, the machine latched onto his tongue, and began to grind. "He was screaming, and he was fighting for his life," says Lutz, adding that in his panic, the 67-pound puppy did even more damage to his mutilated tongue. She disconnected the shredder, and took him to a nearby emergency hospital. Some simple precautions can prevent accidents with paper shredders:
Unplug shredders when not in use.
Store shredders out of reach of animals (and, of course, children).
Never put food wrappers through shredders.
Do not leave shredders on the "automatic" setting.
Buy a shredder with a safety bar at the opening.

From: FOSTER FILES (a newsletter for Foster Families of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation), April 2007





Mushrooms and Toadstools

MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS
From Barb
Deevers
With our more than standard rainfall, many of us may have noticed an unfamiliar menace popping up in our yards…MUSHROOMS. While I have no idea if the mushrooms you or I may have in our yards are toxic, it is best to be careful and vigilant. Please walk your yard from time to time and remove any suspects. We have already had one pup go to the emergency clinic from ingesting suspect mushrooms.




Twisted Collars
from Andrea Loughry
I had heard that dogs can get entangled in each other's collars when playing, but I didn't give it much thought until it happened to my dogs. Venus and Jasper were playing on the rug when I heard Venus cry out. Her hind foot was hung up–twisted--in Jasper's rolled leather collar. No worries, I thought, I'll just unbuckle the collar. Wrong! It was so tight that the buckle wouldn't budge. Next I got a scissors and started gnawing away at the leather–but rolled leather is nearly impossible to cut through: no luck. By now Jasper's eyes were half shut; he was strangling to death. I tugged desperately on the buckle again, and this time it opened. Thank heavens that after the ordeal, both dogs were fine. Then I started to think–what if the collar had been metal instead of leather? What if they had been playing in the yard instead of right next to me? The moral of the story is to never leave a chain collar on your dog; do not let dogs play unsupervised, and never leave them together in the yard alone. Get a collar with a quick release buckle for your pet dog, and make sure all collars fit snugly to minimize the chances of getting entangled with another object or a dog!





Tie Downs
tie-down
Dogs can become entangled in a tie-down and get in trouble fast. Most dogs learn how to deal with being on a tie down, but when sleeping, may roll over and end up hog-tied, which is at best uncomfortable and at worst dangerous. Never attach a tie-down to anything but a flat collar (esp. not to a head collar!), and do not leave your dog home alone on a tie down; use the kennel instead. When you do use a tie-down keep the dog in the same room with you and make sure to stay aware of his safety at all times.