| ANIMAL
RADIO®
PRODUCT REVIEWS for
January |
|
Pawsitive I.D. DNA Test
   (rated 4 out of 5 paws)
You
may have one of those Heinz 57 dogs and are not sure of their
genetic makeup but have always wondered. This home test is not
only a great way to find out, but it will also screen for dozens
of inherent genetic diseases. And, if your dog gets lost, this
is a great fingerprinting and identification tool.
It so easy to use. All you
have to do is complete a form, swab your pet's gums and then
mail the form and swab in. In about two weeks you will receive
all of your pet's information. They will even store your pet's
information for up to 15 years - all for $49.95 - what a deal!
http://www.pawsitiveid.net
    (rated 5 out of 5 paws)
Latka's Lap Dog Biscuits
featuring wheat-free
mini bones in 5 oz. bags
peanut butter, low fat chicken liver and low fat
parmesan cheese
ideal for small dogs and training treats
We like them because the treats
contain no wheat, corn, soy, sugar, salt, coloring, preservatives
or additives, by-products or fillers.
Even before the pet food recall,
I wanted to make sure that any treats I gave to my pets were
healthy treats.
Latka's treats, which are wheat-free
and healthy, mean I don't have to worry about my pets eating
them. They are bone-shaped and come in flavors such as peanut
butter, veggie delight and bacon cheddar, and the dogs love them.
To take the guesswork out of buying treats just think of Latkas!
http://www.delicioustreats.com
See other reviews at AnimalRadio.com.
Send products for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal
Radio Network Product Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab,
Utah 84741. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.
|
Animal Minute on
Animal
Radio®
with Britt Savage |
Puppy Peg Gets a Leg Up With
a Prosthetic
Peg
the three-legged dog might not be as famous as Lassie, but she
quickly became a world-renowned pup. The 4-month-old retriever
has become a canine celebrity, making appearances on The Discovery
Channel Canada, "The Tucker Carlson Show" on MSNBC,
and likely will be featured on "Inside Edition."
Peg also was also interviewed
by Rex Miller, owner of The Greater Flint Prosthetic Center.
Miller lost his right leg when he was 15 and made Peg's prosthetic.
Peg was born without the equivalent of a human ankle, plus her
right paw. Peg's owner, Carol Beavnier of Macomb Township, who
trains leader dogs for the blind, looked on a Web site for handicapped
pets, and after a few phone calls found Miller. Miller had never
created a prosthetic for a dog before, and he's donating his
services and equipment, which normally would have cost several
thousand dollars.
Peg's new leg will be made
out of material similar to that used in bulletproof vests so
she can't chew through her leg. When Peg is done being a celebrity,
she will be a therapy dog, visiting people in nursing homes.
What
shreds paper, credit cards and dog tongues?
It is the feared paper shredder!
No one knows why Cross, a boxer
dog from North Carolina, decided to lick the paper shredder in
his family's home. When he got stuck, he started screaming for
about 10 to 15 minutes, attracting the attention of his family,
who finally figured out to put the shredder into reverse.
While Cross lost small chunks
of his tongue, he has made a complete recovery, and will have
no problems eating, drinking-and licking. And his family doesn't
have to worry about it happening again, because Cross now trembles
whenever he hears the paper shredder.
Britt Savage is a regular
Animal
Radio® correspondent as well as an incredibly talented
musician! She can be heard daily on Animal Radio Network.LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW
Veterinary Minute
on Animal Radio®
with Dr. Jim Humphries |
Deadly
Diseases Might Come From Our Pets!
We
expect our pets to give us unconditional love and affection.
But, can pets also put us in danger? From super bacteria to deadly
viruses, it may seem that our pets are out to get us. The good
news is that most of these diseases are completely preventable!
Recent reports of dogs harboring
deadly staph bacteria as well as misconceptions about germs that
can be spread by pets may prevent some families from keeping
them. But how much of this is truth and how much is hype?
Any disease that can be transmitted
from animals to people is considered to be a zoonotic disease.
Literally, thousands of these diseases exist with several new
ones found each year. But only a few are actually associated
with our domestic pets. If you remove diseases that are spread
by vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, the list you are left
with would look like this:
- Rabies
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonella poisoning
- Methicillin-resistant staph
(MRSA)
- Roundworms and Hookworms
- Protozoan parasites, such
as Giardia
- Fungal diseases, such as ringworm
This list may appear to be
small, but among the members are some pretty serious diseases.
Rabies, as is well known, is an invariably fatal disease. Vaccination
protocols for our pets have reduced human rabies in the Western
world, but more than 40,000 people die from rabies worldwide
each year. Millions more are treated due to unknown animal bites
and potential exposure. Leptospirosis, Salmonella, and the "super-bug",
MRSA, are all bacterial diseases that can cause symptoms ranging
from mild vomiting to kidney failure and even, rarely, death.
At present, there has been no confirmed transmission of MRSA
from pets to people.
More widespread are diseases
caused by parasites, such as the common roundworms found in our
puppies and kittens. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate
that more than 10,000 people in the US test positive for roundworms
annually and more than 750 will partially lose their vision.
Worse yet, the raccoon roundworm is becoming more common. As
humans move into formerly wooded areas and raccoons adapt to
tolerate an urban lifestyle, infection with this parasite may
become more likely. Unlike the more ordinary canine roundworms,
raccoon roundworms have been known to cause death in humans.
But, even combined, the numbers
of people in the US and Canada affected by these diseases is
a small fraction compared with the number of people who are injured
by their pets. Dog bites, cat scratches, and horse-related injuries
are far more common. According to the CDC, more than 4 million
people are bitten by dogs annually and tens of thousands of people
seek medical attention because of an injury associated with riding
or working with horses.
So, what can be done to minimize
the chances for illness or injuries that come about from owning
pets? The simplest action is to simply follow a rule common to
restaurants, schools, and your mother; always wash your hands.
Routine, thorough hand-washing has been shown to reduce incidence
of many bacterial diseases, including the dreaded MRSA. In a
similar fashion, teaching your children to wash after playing
with the family dog or roaming the backyard will greatly diminish
any possibility of picking up a nasty parasite, like roundworms.
Spend time with and ask questions
of your veterinarian. She is your best resource for understanding
zoonotic diseases and how best to avoid them. Vaccine protocols
have greatly decreased many zoonotic diseases and similar strategic
de-worming plans may help to stop zoonotic parasites as well.
She may even be able to help you and your family understand the
common warning signs that often precede dog and cat bites.
Don't allow unfounded fears
to dictate your happiness with your four-legged friend. Educate
yourself and learn from the source who knows you and your pet
best - your family veterinarian! Visit www.MyVNN.com to watch a video giving you
more tips on how to keep you and your whole family safe from
disease.
Dr. Humphries is a veterinarian
in Colorado Springs and the National News Director for Veterinary News Network. Hear the Veterinary
Minute exclusively on Animal Radio®-LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW
| Ask the Cat Coach with
Marilyn Krieger |
Are My Cat Toys Safe?
Dear Cat Coach,
My cat got all sorts of toys for Christmas, including fishing
pole toys, balls with crinkly stuff on them as well as other
cute little toys with pieces that look like they can be chewed
off. Even though these toys are labeled for cats, they look dangerous
to me. I'm worried my cats will chew off the eyes and ears or
chew the silver crinkly stuff and swallow them. These do not
look like safe cat toys to me. What do you think?
Perplexed and challenged
Dear Perplexed,
You are very perceptive! These toys can be very dangerous for
cats. They are marketed for cuteness so that people will buy
them. Unfortunately some of them have glued on eyes and ears
that are easily dismembered, chewed and swallowed. The pretty
little crinkly balls that look a little like tinsel can also
be a danger for some cats. If the shiny tinsel-like material
is chewed it may cut a cat's lip, if swallowed it can cut a cat's
intestines.
Fishing pole toys and the Cat
Dancer are wonderful toys, but they should be available for your
cat only when you are there to supervise the play. Fishing pole
toys, as well as other toys with strings, can wrap around a cat
and accidentally strangle them. These are really great toys for
cats, but only when someone is there to monitor and participate
in the play.
There are plenty of safe toys
to choose from. Look for toys that don't have parts that can
be chewed off and possibly swallowed. Toys that can disintegrate
when being mauled and mouthed need to be avoided, as well as
toys with paint that can be chewed or licked off. Check the size
of the toys. They need to be big enough so that they aren't accidentally
swallowed.
When choosing toys for cats,
it's important to visualize how your cat might play with the
toy and buy the toy based on safety first.
Marilyn Krieger, CCBC is
a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant certified through, and a
member of the Board of Directors of, The International Association
of Animal Behavior Consultants. She can be reached for phone
and on-site consultations to help solve cat behavior problems
either by e-mail marilyn@thecatcoach.com
or by phone: 650 780 9485. Marilyn is the Cat Behaviorist for
the Cat Channel, Cat Fancy Magazine's web presence. Additionally,
Marilyn teaches cat behavior classes and is available for speaking
engagements. You can find out more about The Cat Coach at www.thecatcoach.com.
Copyright 2008 Marilyn Krieger, CCBC All Rights Reserved.
First
Aid - Things to Know That May Save Your Pets' Life
There are three keys to managing
any emergency: don't panic, protect yourself from injury, and
prepare in advance.
When faced with an injured
or severely ill pet, it is important that you spend a moment
to assess the situation. Determine if the pet needs to be moved
immediately. Decide if there is a danger of further injury to
the pet or to first aid givers. For example, great care must
be used before assisting a pet injured on a busy roadway. It
may be safest to call for help so that traffic can be diverted
before anyone provides first aid. You must insure that you won't
be injured yourself - either by the surroundings or by the injured
animal. Prepare in advance by knowing the location and numbers
of emergency animal care facilities. These guidelines should
help.
1. Behavior Knowledge. Understanding
how to approach an injured pet safely is critical. Animals may
respond to fear and pain instinctively, even if they know you
well. You cannot assume that your own pet won't bite you, because
pain or fear may provoke even a docile animal to aggression.
Preventing a bite to yourself or other assistants must be your
first goal.
How to Approach an Injured
Pet Safely
If you encounter a dog in need
or injured in some way, your first reaction may be to run to
help. That's a common reaction - most people don't want to see
an animal in pain. But without taking the proper precautions,
you could get injured. And being injured along with the animal
won't help the situation.
It is important to remember
that even the sweetest dog may bite if she is frightened or in
pain. Here are some guidelines for approaching an injured pet.
Assess the Situation
Use common sense: Remember
that your safety comes first.
If the animal is in the middle
of the road, watch for traffic before going to assist.
If there is a house fire, do
not enter the house until the fire department has eliminated
the danger - very likely firefighters will rescue the pet.
If your pet has fallen, make
sure no more items are ready to fall on you.
If your pet is covered in a
toxic substance, do not touch the animal unless you are wearing
protective gloves or can cover him with plastic (or some other
protective material).
If your pet is covered in blood,
do not touch the animal without protective gloves. Even though
there are few diseases you can get from animal blood, there is
no guarantee that human blood is not mixed in from someone else.
That person's blood may have spilled onto the animal, and with
the threat of HIV, hepatitis or other illnesses, exposure to
any blood is not recommended.
Determine if the Dog is Aggressive
If the animal shows signs of
fear or aggression, muzzling him is essential before helping.
As you approach the animal, pay attention to his body language
and any sounds he is making. Use a soft, gentle, calming voice.
Avoid direct eye contact with an injured pet since some will
perceive this as a confrontation or threat. A wagging tail is
irrelevant. Some dogs with wag their tails throughout an attack.
Here are some body language
signals to look out for:
Growling
Snarling with teeth exposed
Hair along back standing on end
Ears straight back and flat against head
Tail tucked between legs
Lunging toward you with snapping jaws
Intense staring
Submissive behavior such as
lying on ground with belly exposed (these dogs can quickly become
fear-biters). Remember, keeping yourself safe and uninjured is
just as important as helping the injured animal. You cannot be
much help if you also need medical assistance. If the animal
you are trying to help is aggressive and there is a risk that
you may get injured, do not try to administer treatment. Call
a local animal shelter, humane society, veterinary clinic, animal
control officer or police department. Try to stay nearby to watch
where the animal goes and to assist when help arrives. If necessary,
direct traffic away from the injured animal until further help
arrives.
How to Make and Place a Muzzle
Injured animals are usually
in pain, and an animal in pain may lash out. One of the most
important things you need to do before helping an injured animal
is to place a muzzle on the mouth. Even your own sweet dog may
bite if frightened or in severe pain. There are several methods
to muzzle an animal but never muzzle one that is vomiting, has
difficulty breathing or is coughing.
Muzzles can be purchased from
pet stores or veterinary clinics. These muzzles come in a variety
of sizes. Having a muzzle to fit your own pet should be included
in your pet's first-aid kit.
If you do not have a manufactured
muzzle, you can make a temporary muzzle out of tape, nylon stocking,
neckties, thick string, belts or strips of fabric.
Tie a knot in the middle of
the material. If you're using tape, fold the tape lengthwise,
so there are no sticky edges.
Make a large loop in the material.
While standing behind or alongside
the animal, slip the loop over the animal's nose.
Once the loop is over the nose,
quickly and snugly tie the loop on top of the nose.
Take the 2 material ends alongside
the nose and twist one time underneath the nose.
Take the 2 ends and pass each
behind an ear and tie behind the head.
For breeds with short noses,
you may need to take an extra piece of material and tie a connection
between the loop over the nose and the tie behind the head. Make
sure the muzzle is snug. Be prepared for the animal to struggle
against the muzzle. Some animals will even be able to get out
of the muzzle. If the animal develops breathing problems or appears
to be trying to vomit, remove the muzzle immediately.
2. Veterinary Telephone Number
and Address. Keep the name and phone number of your family veterinarian
and local veterinary emergency facility handy. This simple guideline
can help save the life of your pet. Most veterinarians are open
during normal business hours - 8 am to 5 pm. Determine how your
veterinarian handles emergency calls. Some have emergency pagers,
and in larger metropolitan cities, many contribute to or use
an emergency facility for after-hour emergency calls. Calling
first can often answer simple questions or prevent a trip in
the wrong direction. Even in situations that are not apparently
life-threatening, your questions or concerns may be best considered
by a professional who can advise you whether or not to come in.
3. Names and Telephone Number
of a Friend. If possible, have a friend assist you, especially
if your pet needs to be hospitalized. In the car, it is best
to have one person keep the pet calm or settled while the other
drives to the emergency clinic or veterinary hospital.
4. Heimlich Maneuver. Though
not a commonly used or needed skill, knowing how to perform the
Heimlich maneuver for your dog can be a life-saving skill. Only
perform the Heimlich if you are absolutely certain your pet is
choking on a solid object (such as a toy), and you have been
properly trained in the technique. Improperly used, the Heimlich
can cause injury to your pet.
Many people confuse difficulty
breathing with choking. If you witness your pet ingesting an
item and then immediately begin pawing at the face, the throat,
acting frantic, trying to cough and having difficulty breathing,
only then should the Heimlich maneuver be considered. If your
pet is not really choking, the Heimlich can cause serious injury.
After determining that your
pet is choking, remove any item that may be constricting the
neck. Examine inside the mouth and remove any foreign object
you see. Do not blindly place your hand down your pet's throat
and pull any object you feel. Dogs have small bones that support
the base of their tongues. Owners probing the throat for a foreign
object have mistaken these for chicken bones. Do not attempt
to remove an object unless you can see and identify it.
If your pet is small and you
cannot easily remove the object, lift and suspend him with the
head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the rear legs so
the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item stuck
in the throat.
Another method is to administer
a sharp blow with the palm of your hand between the shoulder
blades. This can sometimes dislodge an object. If this does not
work, a modified Heimlich maneuver can be attempted.
Grasp the animal around the
waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar to a bear hug.
Place a fist just behind the
ribs.
Compress the abdomen several
times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.
Check the mouth to see if the
foreign object has been removed.
This maneuver can be repeated
one to two times but if not successful on the first attempt,
make arrangements to immediately take your pet to the nearest
veterinary hospital.
Even if you are successful
in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is recommended.
Internal injury could have occurred that you may not realize.
5. Bandaging. A bandage helps
to cover or apply pressure to a wound to protect or control hemorrhage.
Bandages can be fabricated from towels, washcloths, paper towels,
or just about any piece of fabric.
You and your pet are far from
help (perhaps camping or hiking), and your pet hurts himself.
Would you know how to stabilize him until you could reach a veterinarian?
This article provides some guidance in case of such an emergency,
but it does not replace the skill and expertise of your veterinarian.
If possible, it is better to let a trained expert treat your
pet than yourself.
6. Stopping Bleeding. If there
is an obvious source of bleeding, apply pressure to control the
hemorrhage. Pressure is best applied with a clean cloth or towel
applied directly to the wound.
7. Towels or Blankets. Blankets
and towels can aid in picking up an injured pet or to control
bleeding. You can use a towel to wrap a frightened pet or cover
a wound. Frightened pets are often relieved by the dark calm
enclosure of a blanket.
8. Board, Stretcher or Strong
Blanket. Strong sturdy instruments are important to help move
or transport severely injured pets that are unable to walk. A
small board, a sturdy wool blanket, a piece of canvas or a hammock
can be used. Gently roll or move the pet onto the device. Typically,
two people are needed to pick up and move the pet when using
a stretcher. Be careful as this procedure may cause pain to an
injured pet, and exposes the helpers to the risk of bite injury.
9. Finances. Probably the last
thing people think about during an emergency is how to pay the
bill. Emergency clinics and veterinary practices are no different
than other small businesses, and they need to pay their own bills
to survive. Expect to leave a deposit when admitting a pet and
be prepared to pay for services rendered. Veterinary insurance
can be most beneficial in these situations; however, often the
veterinary clinic will require that you pay the bill and the
insurance company will reimburse you after the invoice is submitted.
Most veterinary clinics do accept major credit cards, and there
are some veterinary clinics that offer other financial alternatives
through banks.
| For
Pet's Sake with Karen
Lee Stevens |
New Year's "Mews"ings
By
the time you read this, it will be January 2, 2008. I'm fervently
composing this column the week before Christmas in anticipation
of taking my annual two-week "cat nap" (translation:
vacation) over the holidays.
Like many of you, I usher in
the new year by penning a lengthy list of resolutions some
I keep and some that eventually fall by the wayside. For me,
my goals usually include activities that will benefit my health
and further my writing career. For instance, I have set an intention
of boosting my immune system by eating healthier foods and drinking
soothing teas, rather than slurping my much-loved, adrenaline-inducing
lattes. Perhaps more imperative than ingesting tofu and tea,
however, I have vowed to continue my crusade of raising awareness
about the importance of compassion and respect for all the animals
with whom we share the planet. I have recommitted myself to my
work with All for Animals, Inc. (www.allforanimals.com), the non-profit organization
I founded eleven years ago today. AFA has afforded me a voice
through television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet
to speak on behalf of abused and neglected animals who
cannot speak for themselves.
As an ardent animal lover,
I am surprised when people pose an all-too-common question to
me: "Why are you always helping animals when there are so
many people who need assistance?" I respond by sharing my
belief that all beings are interconnected with one another. Wouldn't
it make sense then, I ask, that we would choose to protect, respect,
and honor ALL life, whether it is human or animal?
To illustrate my point, let
me tell you about my recent foster kitten experience. For two
months this summer, I spent a good deal of time and energy caring
for a stray cat and her five adorable offspring. The experience
was extremely gratifying for me and one I hope to repeat in the
near future. When it was time for the kittens to begin new lives
in their forever homes, I interviewed Ruth, an 84-year-old lady
who expressed an interest in adopting little Romeo and Serena.
Ruth had lost her husband just six months prior and felt the
kittens would help ease her loneliness and despair. I admit that
I was a little worried about the elderly woman's ability to care
for two rambunctious kittens, but Ruth assured me that her son
and granddaughter would be stopping by often to check on them.
Now, several months later, Ruth says there isn't a day that goes
by that she doesn't feel an immense love and appreciation for
her feline family.
Success stories such as these
inspire me to continue speaking and writing about the power of
the human/animal bond. It is my hope that one day we will realize
animals are an integral part of our own health and happiness.
No longer will we find it necessary to choose between helping
a person and helping an animal in need, for they are both worthy
of our time and financial resources.
It is a new day..a new year.
and with it comes endless possibilities. May 2008 bring forth
a profoundly deeper connection among ALL creatures.
What are your New Year's
resolutions? Email them to Karen (Founder and President of All For
Animals, Inc.) at karenleestevens@cox.net
|