What’s poisoning pets? Medicine
The ASPCA has announced the top poisoning agents of pets, and human medicine takes two of the top three spots. The Animal Poison Control Center took 165,000 calls last year, and about 1 in 4 were related to medicine. Here’s the ASPCA’s top 10:
- Prescription medicine for humans.
- Insecticides.
- Over-the-counter medicine for humans.
- People food. The top culprit: chocolate. Don’t celebrate Valentine’s day by making your cat throw up.
- Household items. This includes things like paint and fire logs.
- Veterinary products.
- Rodenticides.
- Plants.
- Lawn and garden products.
- Automotive products.
The ASPCA’s poison control line is open 24 hours a day at (888-426-4435).
Harpy eagle is feeling good
The Oklahoma City Zoo vet reported yesterday afternoon that an ailing harpy eagle has recovered. Here’s an excerpt from a story about the zoo trust meeting:
A male harpy eagle that was acutely ill has recovered, said Jennifer D’Agostino, director of veterinary services. The bird had stopped eating and was lethargic. “Hopefully it was just a passing bug we took care of,” D’Agostino said. The eagle was caught in the wild as an adult and has been at the Oklahoma City Zoo since the 1970s.
A word about heartworms
Here’s a public service announcement from the American Heartworm Society. My dog had heartworms when I adopted him, and it was so sad. Luckily, I was able to get him treated before something horrible happened. Heartworms can be found in every state, especially Oklahoma.
Workers rescue animals from Nashville flood
ASPCA workers help rescue a chicken saved from flooding in Nashville, Tenn.
As Nashville residents bail out of a massive flood, volunteers and animal workers are trying to help save the animals that were also affected. Here’s information the ASPCA sent out about their work:
The ASPCA ® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ® ), under the authority and request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society in Dyersburg, Tenn., has dispatched its field investigations and response team to assist in the recovery and sheltering of animals displaced by recent flooding.
ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and are helping care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis. The ASPCA has established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals, and set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the flooding are washed and cleaned. In addition, the ASPCA provided extra cages, bowls, food industrial fans, and other necessary supplies to help care for animals.
“Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated,” said Dr. Carol Feather, president and co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, which services all of Dyer County, Dyersburg and Newbern. “We’re grateful for the ASPCA’s assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can–that’s our job.”
The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society’s animal control officers have been navigating some areas in a small motor boat to access abandoned pets. Most of the 70-plus pets received so far are owned and were removed from homes at the request of owners who were forced to evacuate. They will be housed at the humane society until they are claimed, according to Dr. Feather. Residents wishing to contact the humane society may call (731) 285-4889 or visit in person at 1120 E. Court Street, Dyersburg, 38024. Volunteers high school age and over who are interested in caring for animals at the shelter may also contact the humane society.
Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Disaster Response, said the temporary shelter has “helped ease the strain on the already full humane society.” She added, “The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the pets in their community during this life-threatening event. The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area, an important component in this operation, as long as we’re needed.”
According to Dr. Feather, all incoming animals are given a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, they are being vaccinated as a precaution. “A few pets have already been claimed, but the rest we will be holding onto until their families get situated,” she said. “In most instances, even if they have identification, we’re not yet able to reach their owners because they’ve had to evacuate.” Dr. Feather added that the Humane Society is not charging owners for boarding or vaccinations.
In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.
“We are making sure that the animals’ immediate needs are being met, and that they receive appropriate care,” said the ASPCA’s Cardona. “The ASPCA is glad to be in a position to provide relief.”
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
What to do when you’re vet’s a monkey
A friend of mine asked me for some advice, and I thought it’d be good to share with the big wide world.
What do you do when you’re vet is awful? What can you do besides take your pet to someone better?
I recommend you contact both of these groups.
The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association is a professionals association.
The Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is the state agency that actually does licensing reviews.
If you have a vet who isn’t treating your animals right, be sure to find someone new and report the problems you’ve had. Need a referral? Ask OVMA.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – pets can’t be people now
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Pet Tales: Silly Snuggle. (Edmond)
- Owners should help dogs weather storm. (statewide)
- Plan bans human-animal hybrid. (state capitol)
- Senate adds requirements to bill on equine dentistry. (state capitol)
- Dog squeaks by with old habits. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Sadie’s the best
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Horse owners try to corral lawmakers on dental care. (Oklahoma Capitol)
- Fans, judges agree Sadie is top dog. (New York)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Don’t mess with the porcupine
This pit bull learned an unfortunate lesson: there are some fights that you can’t win.
I can’t find many details on this incident other than the obvious. This dog had a run-in with a porcupine and lost. The vet sedated the pit bull and removed 1,347 quills. The dog survived.
I’m betting this pit bull will think twice about picking fights from now on.
-Staff Writer Bryan Dean
How to help animals in Haiti
As aid pours into Haiti from around the world, animal advocates have joined together to help pets in the country devastated by a major earthquake and its aftershocks. Several organizations are partnering to create the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, according to a press release issued this afternoon. You can donate to the three largest groups here:
- The American Humane Association
- The World Society for the Protection of Animals
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare
These are all reputable groups, but I would be sure to include a note in any online donations that the money is specifically for relief in Haiti.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Have a Very Gastric Christmas!
Everyone has their own family traditions when it comes to the winter holidays. Regardless of faith, I know for sure there’s one thing you don’t want to do on Christmas: take your pet to the vet.
But that can happen with all the commotion and extra temptations during the holidays.
Most animals visit their vets on Christmas day because of tummy trouble, according to a VPI Pet Insurance of claims. Here’s a list of the top five reasons pet owners take their animals to the vet on Dec. 25.
- Gastritis/Enteritis
- Lacerations or Bite Wounds
- Soft Tissue Trauma
- Foreign Body Ingestion
- Chocolate Poisoning
During the rest of the year, skin conditions, ear problems and other conditions are the top insurance claims. Only gastritis is in the top 10.
Long story short: keep your food to yourself.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
