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Diedra Cardamone | 10 years ago
Does Second Hand Smoke Affect Pets Like It Does People?

Does second hand smoke affect pets like it does people?

4 Responses

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  1. Jana

    Yes, it does.
    http://m.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2014/june/risks-second-hand-smoke-dogs-and-cats-31821

    Moreover, there is such a thing as “third-hand smoke” when it comes to pets. “You know the smell that lingers in smoking areas, and on clothes and hair after a party or a night out? This is “third-hand smoke”, a cocktail of toxic residue including arsenic, cyanide and lead that gradually coats every surface. Second-hand smoke eventually dissipates from a room, but the third-hand threat remains.

    Not only does it linger, it grows with each invisible coat. And on every surface it touches, it combines with the chemicals in the carpet, the chemicals in the upholstery, the chemicals in the laminate flooring, in the silk flowers in the vase, every iPad and cell phone, and on the surface of every pet bed and toy. It even builds up on our pets.

    We can wash our hair and launder the clothes, even steam the carpet, but how often do we thoroughly bathe our pets? The residue builds up on them as well. When they groom, lick their paws, chew their toys and nuzzle their noses down into those plush beds we provided, they are in direct contact with the cocktail of every environmental chemical, cleanser and airborne toxin.”
    http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/smoking-second-hand-smoke-third-hand-smoke-and-dog-cancer/

  2. Sue Bona

    Yes it does, and it’s my understanding that it affects them worse.

  3. Kelly Furgason

    Yes indeed. We had a dog come into our rescue from a home where it lived for years with an owner that smoked . It was confirmed the dog had severe emphysema from the second hand smoke:-(

  4. Diedra Cardamone Post author

    Thanks everyone! No one smokes in my house (thankfully) but I was extremely curious about the answer. I now feel knowledgeable if I ever need to share with someone else.

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Jana | 10 years ago
Curious If Anybody Knows This: How Long Since Feet Get Uncomfortable (dog Lifting Feet) To…

Curious if anybody knows this: how long since feet get uncomfortable (dog lifting feet) to frostbite?

1 Response

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  1. Jana Post author

    Sorry for the misunderstanding; our guys are fine. The lifting feet is only temporary and we always rush back indoors. Though one morning hubby had to carry JD from a potty break because he refused to move. I mean from the time when they notice their feet feel cold to actual frostbite. We had a number of “mad dashes for cover” and I think we probably had more time than that … ?

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kathy welsh | 10 years ago
Is It Okay To Feed My Golden Retriever, Bella, Apple? (In Small Quantities)

Is it okay to feed my Golden Retriever, Bella, apple? (In small quantities)

4 Responses

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  1. Adam Wysocki

    Small quantities of apple make a great dog treat. Our dog Crusher loves them.

    We try to avoid seeds and stems and we don’t offer him dehydrated apple slices.

    In the summer time frozen apple pieces are one of Crushers favorite treats!

  2. Jackie Gutshall

    Our 10 month old chocolate lab loves apples as a special treat. You can also make apple ice cubes we slices of apples drop them in the water in an ice cube tray. 

  3. andrea Lee Roundfield

    My girl pups LOVE apples; my little guy eats them – he’ not impressed.

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Diedra Cardamone | 10 years ago
I Am Interested In Making/baking My Own Dog Treats. What Ingredients Are The Best…

I am interested in making/baking my own dog treats. What ingredients are the best and are there some that are best to avoid? I have 3 dogs: 8 yr old Border Collie mix, 12 yr old Jack Russell, a 2 yr old German Shorthaired Lab mix.

4 Responses

Comments

  1. Kaz Kallin

    I make my own treats all the time since I have one dog that is on a vegetarian diet.  Peanut butter is a good ingredient, so are blueberries and bananas.  We use oat flour in all the treats we make and substitute maple syrup for sugar. 

    http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/blueberry-dog-treat.html

    That’s the recipe we used as a starter and have experimented since then. 

  2. Kelly Furgason

    Making your own treats is easy and fun! There are lots of recipes online and treat recipe books you can use too. Almost any human recipe can be modified for pets. For dogs and cats omit the sugar. They do not need it and will never know it’s missing.

    You can use regular flour or omit it if your pet has an allergy. You can use oat flour, rice flour, buckwheat flour, quick cook or regular oats. Grated carrot, applesauce, peanut or nut butters, eggs are also common ingredients

    Steer clear of salt, garlic, onions, chocolate

    Pinterest also has lots of recipes for pets too

    Have fun!!
    -Kelly

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Jana | 10 years ago
Any Diseases A Dog Can Catch From A Feral Cat Poop?

Any diseases a dog can catch from a feral cat poop?

3 Responses

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  1. andrea Lee Roundfield

    I would believe so especially if the dog isnt healthly, a pup or senior an or not current with vaccines, heartworm treatment, etc. I’d imagine so.

  2. Laurie McDowell

    Tapeworms is the biggest risk. Many a barn dog have had a steady diet of all kinds of poop and lived to tell the tale however.

  3. Jana Post author

    Good question. Glad nothing really scary is hiding in that. I’m not sure whether it’s so yummy or whether the guys wanted to “remove her marking” of their territory 🙂

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Steve Hatchett | 10 years ago
Both Cats Used An Extra Large Sized Litter Pan Since The Time Both Were In…

Both cats used an extra large sized litter pan since the time both were in our household.

4-6 weeks ago Scout stopped using the litter pan and started going on our carpet. We found that she had a UTI. From all indications the UTI has cleared up.

We have a follow up appointment on the 31st to confirm. However, Scout continues to go on the carpet even though we purchased an additional litter pan. The litter has no fragrance. Tux uses whatever litter pan the mood hits him which irritates me. I have to think that this is a behavioral issue that perhaps was initiated by the UTI.

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Pawbly | 10 years ago
She Acts Hungry All The Time,and Her Pooh Is Black.She Is 17 Years Old. If…

She acts hungry all the time,and her pooh is black.She is 17 years old. If we let her out she eats dirt.Can any one please help me get her on the right path to good health.I cant afford to go to the vet,im not working right now.Please help us if you can,thank you

1 Response

Comments

  1. Christina Chambreau

    I want to agree with Dr. Krista that most veterinarians (and in my experience especially integrative ones) are more than willing to work with you being out of work. What skills can you offer the veterinarian (not necessarily just for the clinic – maybe she needs her house cleaned, or you are a skilled carpenter) in exchange for the veterinary care?

    I would look for integrative veterinarians as they may be able to help your cat with some home care treatments you can do to help with any of their treatments.  Learning Reiki will give you a tool to help your cat do better with any suggested treatments. 

    You can
    go to the web sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral
    list to find one near to you. Many practitioners are members of only one or two
    of the organizations, so you do need to go to every site to find who is near
    you:
    1. Wide range of other treatments: http://www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary
    Medical Association and http://www.civtedu.org.   
    2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other
    holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): http://www.theAVH.org and
    http://www.DrPitcairn.com.
    3. Chiropractor – http://www.animalchiropractic.org
    4. TCVM (Acupuncture and Chinese medicine): http://www.IVAS.org,
    http://www.avaa.org & http://www.TCVM.com

    5. Herbal
    http://www.VBMA.org

    6.
    Postural rehabilitation – dogs and horses – http://www.posturalrehabvets.com/Postural_Rehabilitation/Find_a_Practitioner.html

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Jana | 10 years ago
Would You Deworm Based On Eosinophils Count? (two Dogs In Household High Counts)

Would you deworm based on eosinophils count? (two dogs in household high counts)

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  1. Jana Post author

    Counterargument =
    – blood test for both guys is $300, panacur is $30
    – fecal came back negative once already but often can come back negative while parasites present
    – each fecal = 3 hour trip to a vet
    – two dogs previously not allergic developing suddenly both allergies to something at the same time?
    – Fergus vet says most cases, regardless of negative fecal, count goes down after administration
    – panacur seems relatively benign, particularly when given with can food (or like) … ?
    – vaccinations in September
    – environmental exposure to critters high, exposure to allergens low (Winter time)
    – Fergus vet’s reasoning = run the treatment and re-test the blood and pursue further diagnostics if not resolved (he’s convinced it will be)

    Thoughts?

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Steve Hatchett | 10 years ago
Normally Scout Is Feed Separately With (dry) Purina Pro Plan.

When We Are Away They…

Normally Scout is feed separately with (dry) Purina Pro Plan.

When we are away they are both given the DM due to consideration to Tux and the inability to separate the food and the cats.

So my question is could the potential of having Scout switch between Pro Plan and DM once a week, lead to the UTI. She hates the DM and of course the Pro Plan is less costly.

1 Response

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  1. Steve Hatchett Post author

    Scout was treated at JVC. I don’t know the particulars of the UTI results. Tux is fed nothing but canned DM (purchased at JVC). The only variation is if we are out for the day and the time of dosage of the insulin may be delayed as well as the Pro Plan feeding. In consideration of the diabetic needs the DM dry is available to Tux. Since it is more appropriate for Scout to eat the DM than Tux to eat the Pro Plan, Scout will eat the DM. The wet food may be gobbled up by both cats and the next feeding and insulin may be delayed leaving them with nothing in the meanwhile.

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Jana | 10 years ago
How Lose It Typically Take For Diarrhea From Eating Something Wrong To Resolve? (Dog, No…

How lose it typically take for diarrhea from eating something wrong to resolve? (Dog, no other symptoms)

4 Responses

Comments

  1. PK Dennis

    I usually expect diarrhea to resolve within 24 hours, if it lasts more than that I take my pooch to the vet.  Are you sure he/she is not running a temperature?  

  2. Christina Chambreau

    This is a prompt for you to learn some home care techniques that can help in any situation. Also a good prompt to buy some books on holistic care for dogs.  Then you will be able to help your dog quickly move through most problems. 

    I strongly recommend getting some training in understanding the wide range of
    approaches to health so you can be in charge of what you choose for treatments
    for your animals – given by you or by your integrative veterinarian. There are so many different ways to stimulate healing that
    you never need to give up trying to treat any problem. Of course, this time I assume the diarrhea cleared up. When dogs are healthy, though, they can eat almost anything and not get any diarrhea.  From books, on-line and in classes you can
    learn Reiki (which can take the “bad” out of vaccines and any needed
    drugs, or even make food healthier), massage, HTA (healing touch for animals), TTouch, acupressure, flower
    essence therapy, all of which are 100% safe to use for any problems. There are
    many more approaches you can do to help heal your animals with some training
    since they need to be used more carefully – homeopathy, herbal medicine,
    Chinese herbs, aromatherapy. In addition to classes there are many very good
    list serves filled with people experienced with not vaccinating and feeding raw
    meat diets. Classes are found through your health food store, by phone or
    on-line. As with human health approaches, there are many different opinions, so
    you need to experiment and see what makes your animals more or less healthy. 

    I also recommend finding an integrative veterinarian with whom to work, and I know there are some good ones in Montreal. This
    is a person trained in many different approaches, including using conventional
    drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance
    that your cherished companion can live a long and healthy life after recovering
    from this current problem. There are good ones and great ones, and a few
    homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email. You can go to the web
    sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral list to find
    one near to you. Many practitioners are members of only one or two of the
    organizations, so you do need to go to every site to find who is near you:
    1. Wide range of other treatments: http://www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary
    Medical Association and http://www.civtedu.org.   
    2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other
    holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): http://www.theAVH.org and
    http://www.DrPitcairn.com.
    3. Chiropractor – http://www.animalchiropractic.org
    4. TCVM (Acupuncture and Chinese medicine): http://www.IVAS.org,
    http://www.avaa.org & http://www.TCVM.com

    5. Herbal
    http://www.VBMA.org

    6. Postural rehabilitation – dogs and horses – http://www.posturalrehabvets.com/Postural_Rehabilitation/Find_a_Practitioner.html