April 2010

“WHISKERS” APRIL 2010

Spring is finally here, although you wouldn’t necessarily know it by the weather here in Southern Ohio.
We have had a few nice “springy” days, but for the most part, it’s still pretty cool and dreary.
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter.  Your comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome.

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April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, which should serve as a reminder to have a pet first aid kit prepared and handy.  “Whether you’re at home or on the road, having a pet first aid kit handy can be a helpful and possibly lifesaving precaution,” says Dr. Robin Valentine, VMD, who adds, “Assembling such a kit can be easy and inexpensive.”

Include:

*Hydrogen peroxide and anti-bacterial ointment to clean wounds.

*Scissors and tweezers for cutting adhesive tape, removing splinters.

*Eyedroppers for dispensing liquid medication or for cleaning wounds.

*Phone numbers for your pet’s regular veterinarian and any nearby
emergency animal hospitals. (When traveling, include numbers for animal
hospitals in destination area.)

*Hot/cold pack for soothing injuries and reducing related swelling.

A new item to consider is Anti-Lick Strip Prevent™ from Nurtured Pets™. These adhesive bandages are made with natural ingredients — including cayenne pepper, lemon powder, clove oil and oregano and deters pets from licking, biting and chewing surgical sites, minor wounds, cuts and abrasions.

The manufacturer claims it will alleviate issues stemming from separation anxiety, boredom or other behavioral issues.

Anti-Lick Strips are available in small, medium and large sizes, and come in a six pack or two pack at PetSmart and other fine pet specialty stores.

For more information, go to http://www.nurturedpets.com.

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Dog Bites

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year but most of these bites are preventable.

Dr. Mark Stickney Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences says boys, ages 5-9 are the most likely to be bitten because of their fast, uncoordinated and unpredictable movements.

“These bites, which typically occur on the face, head and neck, are rarely fatal but they are obviously painful and can lead to infection if not properly cared for, and disfigurement in extreme cases,” he says.

Other common causes of dog bites include aggressive play, territoriality over food or a special toy or perceived territorial boundary, an aggression behavioral problem and pain. Never approach a dog you do not know and always ask an owner’s permission to pet their dog then move slowly and let the dog sniff your hand before touching it.

If a dog does threaten you by growling, remain calm and stand still or slowly back away until it leaves.

If a dog knocks you down to attack you, curl into a ball and protect your face with your arms and fists and if bitten get treatment at a hospital and make sure the dog is current on its rabies vaccinations.

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Increase Your Chances of Finding a Lost Pet

The American Humane Association is celebrating Every Day Is Tag Day™ on April 3, which encourages all pet owners to tag and microchip their cats and dogs.

Approximately 9 million companion animals are admitted to shelters across the country each year, but because of space and resource constraints, many
shelters only hold lost animals for a short time.

“Most lost pets without identification are never reunited with their families,” says Dena Fitzgerald, American Humane’s program manager.

“At the very least, every cat and dog needs a collar and ID tag,” she says, adding, “But the best solution is to also microchip your pet for permanent identification.”

Here are some ways to give lost pets a better chance of returning home:

*Remember that even indoor pets need tags and microchips. Many strays in
shelters are indoor pets that escaped and became lost.

*Make sure your pet wears a collar with a current ID tag, rabies tag and
city license. Include a contact name, address, and day and evening phone
numbers. Consider providing a phone number for an alternate contact,
like a neighbor or family member.

*Keep information on your pet’s license, tags and microchips current.

*When moving or traveling, place a temporary tag on your pet with the
phone number of someone who knows how to reach you.

For more information on Every Day Is Tag Day, visit http://www.americanhumane.org/tagday.

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To Feed Or Not To Feed Wildlife:  That’s the Question

It goes without saying; don’t feed dangerous wild animals like bear or Mountain Lions of wild hogs.

But what about birds or deer or squirrels?

“Never feed wild animals out of your hand,” says Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

“Any animal can mistake your hand for food and you don’t want to be accidentally bitten,” she says.

She says it’s best to feed animals out of feeders or to throw food to the ground.

There are many specialized feeders such as bird feeders and corn cob stations that can feed the majority of birds and squirrels.

“If you are going to feed any animal it is best that you give them food that is formulated for them or stick with fruits and vegetables and most feed stores carry special food for ducks, birds and other wild animals,” she says.

But if peacocks and ducks may become aggressive if they know you have food. “If you encounter an aggressive animal you should first try noise-aversion
to chase them off.  If they don’t respond then just put the food down and walk away,” she says.

While feeding wild animals from feeders is the best way to protect your body, if you are feeding animals outside your home they can still damage your house and landscape.  Another thing to consider when feeding wild animals is that some animals, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and opossums, can carry rabies and other zoonotic diseases that can be spread to domestic pets.