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10 Sweet Ideas for K-9 Summer Fun

5K Dog-friendly Race - Get fit and have fun with your dog at the same time. Just Google "5K races" for a list of races happening near you.
Custom Paint-by-Number kits - Just upload a photo of you and your dog and send it to easy123art.com
Get Some Culture - the AKC Museum of the Dog in St. Louis, MO houses over 700 works of art throughout the ages.
Vacation at Carmel-By-the-Sea - Take your pup for a pampering vacation at this California dream destination for dogs, boasting dog-friendly inns, restaurants, and even an iconic "Fountain of Woof", a dogs-only drinking fountain.
Hit the Hiking Trails - Nothing says summer like venturing into the great outdoors. Find out where dogs are allowed and what restrictions apply at bringfido.com, where you'll find listings for over 5000 dog-friendly trails worldwide.
July is Dog House Repairs Month - Use this time to catch up on that doghouse maintenance you've been putting off. Renovate Fido's second story, add another room in the back, or simply repair any winter damage.
Summer School! - Brush up on training and gain insight into how your own behavior cues your dog's - read Patricia McConnell's classic training book The Other End of the Leash.
Outdoor Dog Wash - Gather all your pup pals together for an outdoor dog wash, with puppy pools, sponges, and buckets, to raise money for a local shelter.
Start a Blog - Chronicle all the summer fun you and your dog are having. Just pick a catchy name and start posting. Two free sites to try are worpress.com and blogspot.com.
Volunteer! - Get out into the community with your dog to do your part. From training Fluffy as a therapy dog, signing up Rex to participate in a reading program for kids, creating a fundraising block party for your local shelter or simply offering to walk your elderly neighbor's dog - the possibilities are endless!

Click on the links below to view some helpful 4th of July precautions for pets!

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Keep your pet safe on July 4th

Warm Weather Tips

Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance of risk.

Here are some tips to keep in mind this summer:

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car. Dogs and cats cannot perspire, and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, or death.

To avoid any chance that your pet will succumb to the heat of a car this summer, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you're driving around. And if you do happen to see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, call the local animal control officer or police department.

Don't Put Your Pet in the Back of a Truck

It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly break, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab, or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

Travel Tips

If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. Contact the airlines in advance to find out their rules and regulations regarding pets on flight.

Parasite Protection

Make sure your pet is on a veterinarian approved heartworm preventive. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only treatments recommended by your veterinarian as some over-the-counter products can be toxic, even when used properly according to their instructions.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool. Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the outdoors.

www.hsus.org

National Pet Week

National Pet Week was jointly founded in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, and is widely celebrated throughout the United States and other parts of the world. In 2010, National Pet Week is celebrated from May 2-8.

The goals of National Pet Week are to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.

April 24, 2010 is World Veterinary Day

THEME FOR THE YEAR 2010

One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians

The much publicized concept "One World, One Health" indicates that the world has awakened to the link between animal diseases and public health.

It has long been known that 60% of known infectious diseases are common to humans and animals (whether domestic or wild); 75% of recent emerging human diseases came from animals and 80% of the pathogens that could potentially be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic. It is also known that human populations need a regular diet of protein particularly from milk, eggs or meat, and that a deficiency can also be a public health problem.

The unprecedented movement of commodities and people between nations provides opportunities for pathogens to spread and multiply. Further, climate change can enable pathogens to extend their range, notably through vectors, such as insects colonizing new areas that up until a few years ago were too cold for them to survive the winter.

The only way to minimize the impact of these new hazards is to adapt the existing systems of animal and public health governance at world, regional and national levels in a harmonized and coordinated manner. From the animal health perspective, "One World, One Health" should eventually lead all countries to make a firm commitment to establishing mechanisms for the early detection of disease outbreaks, as well as allowing rapid implementation, by veterinarians, of any required preventive or therapeutic measure directed to animals.

From the human health perspective, "One World, One Health" should induce all countries to adopt a united approach by veterinarians and human physicians for the control of zoonotic diseases, especially with regard to the prevention and post-exposure treatment of these diseases.

March 2010

Human foods dangerous to pets

Can you provide a list of foods and other items that if eaten will make a dog sick (diarrhea, vomiting, minor hives, etc.) or die. I don't have the Internet and would appreciate a written list if you can provide. Thank you Linda Blattenberger Harrisburg

Dear Linda:
The most comprehensive information I've found has been compiled by experts at the ASPCA Poison Control Center. Below are the top eleven "people foods" they consider dangerous to pets. A few surprises here:

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products contain methylxanthines which, when ingested by pets, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. The darker the chocolate (especially baking chocolate) the more lethal.

Alcohol
Beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Milk
Big surprise to cat owners! Because many pets, including most adult cats & dogs, are lactose intolerant, milk and other milk-based products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods (e.g. potato chips, pretzels, etc.) include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

Avocado
Avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts
A common ingredient in cookies and candies, these nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours.

Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets with pre-existing health problems, symptoms may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet's digestive system which can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked, pets can have small bits of bread as treats.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Though raw diets have gained popularity, raw meat and raw eggs can contain Salmonella and E coli bacteria. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Raw bones can be dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in the pet's digestive tract. Cooked bones even more likely to splinter

Xylitol
A sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste, Xylitol can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can occur within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. An occasional low dose likely will not cause a problem, but do NOT feed pets large quantities of these foods.

For more information on plants, foods, and household products poisonous to pets visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center or call 1-888-426-4435. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, try to determine what and how much, then call your veterinarian immediately. Contact Karen Steinrock at ksteinrock@comcast.net

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