Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital Newsletters

Newsletter for May 2003

In this issue:

" Dog Bites, Allergies & Halloween Safety "

TIPS ON PREVENTING DOG BITES:

An estimated 750,000 children are bitten every year by dogs, some of these bites mere nips. In the overall population, 500,000 to one million dog bite victims require medical attention. On average, 12 people die each year from dog bites. To better protect yourself and others from bites,heed the following:

Take your dog to obedience training at an early age.

Don't physically punish inappropriate behavior.

Don't roughhouse or play tug of war games with your dog.

Keep your dog on a leash

Never allow your puppy to chew on your hands.

Be aware that a dog's demeanor may change with illness or pain; exercise caution when approaching.

Don't attempt to pet a dog that is behind a fence, tied to a chain or in a parked car.

Don't intervene when two dogs are fighting.  Instead try to distract them with water/garden hose/ etc...

Don't approach stray dogs.

Avoid eye contact with a strange dog.

Construct outdoor kennels sturdy enough to keep a family dog in and other dogs out.

Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.

Never disturb a dog that is caring for puppies, sleeping, or eating.

If threatened by a dog, remain calm. Try to stay still until the dog leaves or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn or run.

If knocked down by a dog, curl into a ball and protect your face and ears with your hands.

Never pet a dog that you don't know.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PETS MAY CUT RISK OF ALLERGIES IN CHILDREN

The truth about cat and dog allergies might be the opposite of what experts have long suspected, according to a new study. Raising children alongside the furry companions might reduce rather than increase the likelihood that they will break out in itching and sneezing fits.

Not only that, but the study of 474 children in suburban Detroit found that those raised from birth in households with two or more cats or dogs were also less likely to develop allergies to pollen, mold and grasses. The finding, being published in the Journal of the American Medical Association journal clashes with conventional wisdom about pet allergies, which holds that children are more likely to develop reactions the more they are exposed to animals.

The finding suggests that an early dose of dog or cat dander might somehow tweak the immune system in a way that keeps it from mounting the exaggerated response to irritants that can cause allergic symptoms. Evidence from this and other recent studies should come as a relief to pet loving parents who wondered if they should kick their animals out of the house before bringing a child into the world.

Researchers caution that this study does nothing to erase the notion, backed up by years of observation, that parents whose children do suffer from dog or cat allergies should remove the offending animals. Once children are allergic, the animals can only do harm and typically the
children will only get worse.

In the Detroit study, doctors who followed children in the first six years of their lives found those who were raised with two or more animals were 70% less likely to become allergic compared to other children.  Substantially lower rates of allergies to other irritants also were noticed in the pet loving households.  Doctors suspect that the explanation may lie in bacteria that animals carry on their fur and paws. The bacteria release molecules called endotoxins, which might shift the immune system into a healthier balance.

TIPS TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF ALLERGIC REACTION TO PETS

Wash your hands after touching pets (especially cats)
and before touching your eyes or face

Restrict cats to certain rooms to create allergy free areas

Use allergen resistant covers on matresses and pillows

Wash sheets in water heated to at least 130 degrees F.

Reduce the amount of carpet in your home

Avoid dust and dander catching furnishings

Cover your pets favorite furniture with removable washable slipcovers

Use vacuums with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters

Use air purification devices

Have a non allergic family member bathe your pet

Keep your home well ventilated

Use a pet vitamin supplement to reduce shedding and improve skin condition

Spray Humilac coat conditioner on your pet 2-3 times a week to keep dander down.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY FOR YOUR PET

Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for our pets. I want to take this time to offer you some common sense tips to protect your pets on Halloween.

Don't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween; there are many stories of pets being teased, injured, stolen, or even killed on this night.

Trick or treat candy is not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to many animals due to the theobromine content. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: Pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they like it; otherwise it puts alot of stress on the animal. If you do dress up your dog, make sure the costume is not constricting, annoying , or unsafe. Be careful not to obstruct vision because even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can't see what is going on around them.

Keep your pets in a separate room during trick or treat visiting hours; too many people in strange costumes can be very scary and cause your pet to become frightened and run out of the house. Many dogs are very protective of their territory. Don't let pets mingle with costumed Halloween guests who might frighten them. You take the chance that your pet will bite a visitor as he tries to defend his territory.

Make sure your pets always wear id tags just in case they do escape.

Black cats are particularly susceptible to cruel pranks during Halloween.  Keep all cats indoors.

While this can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that your pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous goblins and ghouls that this holiday brings!

DR PENNINGTONS AUTUMN SAFETY CHECKLIST!


Here are a few tips to help our pets get ready for the cooler weather to come:

Now is a good time to put in fresh bedding such as straw or cedar shavings in dog houses. Old blankets or other items that retain moisture are not recommended since freezing may occur. Dog houses should be twice the size of the dog (any larger will cause excess heat loss).

Since outside pets energy requirements are different this time of year, you will want to check with us for advice on the proper diet. Pets burn more calories in the winter to produce extra body heat.

Make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccines as distemper is generally seen more in the cooler months.

As you are getting your car ready for the winter, PLEASE remember that antifreeze is very tasty but deadly to dogs and cats. Clean up any spills well and properly dispose of old antifreeze that was drained out....DO NOT leave it in a bucket that a pet may have access to. As little as 1 oz. may be fatal to a 15 pound dog and no more than 1/3 oz. to a cat. Death may occur in as little as 12 hours.  Symptoms include lack of coordination, vomiting, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. Call immediately if you suspect your pet has been exposed to antifreeze.

A warm engine will be a tempting place for a cold cat. A knock on the hood or honking the horn will alert your cat and may save his or her life.

Keep your caged birds away from drafty windows. A heat lamp or heating pad placed under the cage will offer radiant heat for our feathered friends.

Dogs toenails become longer in the fall and especially winter due to less walking outside.  Regular clipping (every month or two) will keep the quicks from growing out too long.