CLEO                                  ROXY

    MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my client family!

Dogs - Cats - and Christmas Dangers

Christmas time comes once a year, and now it’s here! When Christmas time comes with all its hustle and bustle you may find yourself so overwhelmed that you forget to pay attention to your pet. This is a bad idea as Christmas seems to have an increased incidence of pet disasters that may be prevented by keeping a more watchful eye on your pet during the holiday season. Let's talk about a couple of things you should be particularly keen about during Christmas.

Chocolate, cookies, candy, pies, candy canes, turkey; need we say more? If so, then both cats and dogs should absolutely avoid foods on that list. Christmas for us is a time of overindulgence and unfortunately, it is often the same for our pets. This often comes about through visitors who do not know the rules of the house. They many feed your pet food that it should not be eating, or they may leave food out that your pets can easily get to and feast on. To lessen the chances of this happening, as you welcome them to your home, explain the rules regarding feeding your pets and then repeat this to them as often as necessary.

Would it be fair to say that one of the most devastating things that could happen to you/your family during Christmas is for your pet to go missing? Many would agree, and this happens all too often. One thing that is a major cause of missing pets is the lack of attention of your Christmas guests.

There are two major reasons guests can cause your pets to go missing;

1) Guests often cause our pets stress. When they are stressed, our pets do things that they would not do under normal circumstances. This rings true especially with cats, but with dogs as well. A pet that feels uncomfortable in their own home may get outside and wander because they are suffering from stress.

2) Guests open doors. This reason tags along with the first reason, but is important to mention separately because even a pet that loves guests (think Labrador retriever) may run out an open door. They may follow all those interesting smells until they become disorientated and unable to find their way home.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree and how those shiny, breakable ornaments sure look like fun to play with. There is also tinsel and other dangly items that are often irresistible. Welcome to your cat’s mind!. Christmas trees and cats do not get along. If you want to have any of the previously mentioned items you should keep your cat and the tree separated at all times. Your pets think of your Christmas tree, as you think of a chocolate bar. It is so tempting, you just can’t help but eat it. Not only can a cat having access to a Christmas tree wreck your tree, but it can endanger your cat’s life. They can break bones if they climb on the tree and fall. Additionally, tinsel is extremely dangerous; a cat that licks tinsel is likely to end up swallowing it, and then it can become entangled in their intestines, and require major surgery to remove. Electrocution is also a possibility from the bulbs or wires. The safest bet would be to get a tree with plastic ornaments and no tinsel. Bland, but you don’t want to have the ‘exciting’ Christmas of rushing your pet to the emergency veterinarian! Before we stop talking about trees, dogs are not off the hook. Some dogs may be just as enthralled with a Christmas tree as a cat and they pose the same dangers to dogs. Use your discretion and try to make your tree as safe for your pets as possible.

Now that you are stressed and worried about Christmas and your pet, relax! It's better to know these things in advance so you can do something about them in advance. Planning is everything and just a little bit of forethought can make this a great holiday for you and your pets.

             HENRY'S HOMEMADE TREATS

 http://www.henryshomemadetreats.com/index.html

I first thought of making a low allergen dog treat when my dog Henry, who the company is named after, was put on a restricted hypoallergenic diet for his severe skin allergies. I worked with his dermatologist along with several other dermatologists to create the recipe I now use for Henry?s Homemade Treats.

These treats are pet tested and Veterinarian /Dermatologist approved. Although the treats were made for a dog with allergies, they can be a tasty treat for any dog of any age.

All my treats are made in my kitchen using only human quality ingredients and there are no preservatives added, therefore they must be kept refrigerated. There are two yummy flavors to choose from:

Carrot or Green Bean

                                                "Taste Testers"

 Cats are no ordinary house pets. Throughout history, across cultures, and in different religions, cats have had important roles. If you're the ultimate cat lover, take our quiz to see what you know about the spiritual significance of cats.

Click this link to take the quiz:

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Pets/Quiz/Cat-Spirituality.aspx?source=NEWSLETTER&nlsource=10&ppc=73372&utm_campaign=Inspiration&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=newsletter

Published by Puppy Care Blogger

When it comes to dog boarding, it's important to remember that you can find quality care, whether it's Ann Arbor dog boarding or Albuquerque. It's probably easy to find Ann Arbor dog grooming, but have you considered how difficult it is to find good dog boarding in YOUR town?

Do your due diligence prior to retaining dog boarding services. Emergencies are just that; they're unexpected, so be prepared to provide care for your pet when they happen.

There are some easy steps to follow when you're determining the right dog boarding facility. Quality dog boarding facilities will have reasonable hours of operation, scheduled daily exercise for the dogs, socialization with other dogs (if appropriate), regular feeding and medication delivery, and comprehensive emergency procedures. If your pet has health problems that require special attention, be sure the dog boarding facility is equipped to handle his needs.

It's a good idea (and polite!) to schedule your tour ahead of time if you're planning to tour a dog boarding facility. Ask questions over the phone; it's a good idea to choose the ones that are deal-breakers, so that you don't waste a visit if the facility is unable to meet your needs. No need to make a trip if they don't offer as much exercise as you want, or are unable to accommodate your special needs. Upscale facilities may offer additional fringe benefits, like dog grooming.

When you're on your tour of a dog boarding facility, be sure to check to be sure proper licenses are maintained and displayed. It's always a good idea to check with your local Better Business Bureau to determine whether other clients are pleased with their service. Obviously, take a look around and note whether the rooms are clean and tidy. If you're near water, it isn't a bad idea to note whether or not the building is in a flood zone. If you are requesting dog grooming during your pet?s stay, be sure to review past work and that it is to your satisfaction.

All these factors come into play when making the important decision as to where you'll board your dog when you go out of town, or otherwise need care of your dog away from home. Quality facilities are nearby, you just have to do the legwork to find them!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                "LACEY"

 Hiring a dog walker should be considered an important decision worthy of time and thought. After all, this person will be spending a great portion of time with your ever-developing puppy or dog. Feeling comfortable with your walker to enter your home and to handle your most prized pup is essential.

1. Allow Time & Do Your Homework! - There are plenty of dog walking services out there. Don't just hire the first one you reach. Give yourself the necessary time to make this hire. Searching the internet on a Sunday in order to start walks on Monday is not fair to you or the dog. A reputable person/organization will also need time to meet with you and your dog, process your paperwork, and fit you into the busy schedule.

2. Professionalism/Commitment - Is this person or company committed to servicing the needs of both you and your dog? Is the company bonded/insured? Can they provide references? Consistency is very important & will take a lot of pressure off of you knowing your dog will be cared for in your absence. Make sure that this is not just a money making job. Your walker should be committed to the daily responsibility of providing the quality care & walking that your dog deserves.

3. Handling Skills & Methods -  Get a true sense of this individual's dog handling methods. Ask what if, questions. For example, ask him or her, How will you react if my dog jumps up on you when you come into my home, or on a neighbor on the street? How will you react if my puppy has a housetraining accident in the house?  The answer will give you an idea of his or her handling methods, and how they would respond in specific situations. Make sure you are comfortable with the answer given. If it seems harsh or completely out of line with your reaction, it may not be the best fit. Also, please be aware that dog training and dog walking are very different. Walkers are not usually educated in dog training and you should seek advice from a professional trainer when addressing any undesired habits or behaviors.

4. Routine & Consistency - Make sure that the walker is willing to and able to adhere to your routine with your dog. While the walker will be spending a lot of time with your pet, it is you that lives with the dog and will be responsible for his behavior. If your dog walker allows pulling on leash, barking at other dogs, jumping up on other people, you are essentially paying them to inappropriately train the dog! This only leads to more confusion, frustration and prolonged training for you and your dog. Be sure to use the same training vocabulary (down for no jumping, and down, for lay down can be very confusing for your pup!). Be clear about what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Let them know how you react and address specific behaviors. Consistency is the key to developing a well-mannered dog. Every person your dog's life should take care to provide a consistent message.

5. Communication  Contact information is important. A walker should know how and where you can be reached. Where the vet office is and your preference for an emergency contact. It's cause for concern if a walker does not ask for this information. Daily communication is also key and often the only way to stay informed about your dog's walking and potty schedule. Ask the walker if they leave a daily note about your dog's walk. If not, communication may not be a top priority for this walker.

Your dog will thank you for all the time and consideration you put into finding the right match.

Black pups face doggie discrimination

Dark-coated pooches tend to linger in shelters the longest

By Melissa Dahl

Health writer

msnbc.com

Big, black dogs are often the last to be adopted from animal shelters ? a phenomenon known in pet rescue circles as "black dog syndrome."

 It's not like Pamela Gregg was a stranger to helping out the underdog. She thought she knew what kinds of pooches linger the longest in animal shelters: Older dogs, abused dogs, sick or injured dogs ? dogs like George Bailey, the hound mix she'd rescued after he'd been struck by a car.

But black dogs? While searching for a companion for George Bailey, Gregg was shocked to see a banner on an Ohio animal shelter's Web site that detailed how tough it is for big dogs with black coats to find homes.

"It said something like, 'We know that you people prefer colors, but we've got wonderful black dogs here, won't you please consider them?'" recalls Gregg, who's 49 and lives in Xenia, Ohio. "I was shocked, because I think that black dogs are beautiful ? and I couldn't believe people would not get a dog based on its color."

To the uninitiated, the idea seems so strange ? doggie discrimination? But among those in animal rescue circles, the phenomenon is commonplace enough to have earned its own name: "black dog syndrome."

"There's not a lot of that type of statistics on many aspects of sheltering," says Kim Intino, the director of animal sheltering issues for the Humane Society of the United States. "But I think that every person that has worked in a shelter can attest that in shelters animals with black coats can be somewhat harder to adopt out ? or to even get noticed."

Even after a year had passed at a Los Angeles animal shelter, no one had noticed Estelle. Except, of course, for the staff; they fawned over the big black dog and her gentle demeanor. They started letting Estelle roam the office during the day, which let one couple see her in action ? outside her cage and calmly interacting with people. They fell for her, and took her home.

But not every black dog is lucky enough to get that kind of special attention, says Madeline Bernstein, the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles.

"They're the hardest to adopt out, they're in the shelters the longest and therefore, they're most likely to be euthanized if nothing happens," Bernstein says. (Breeders don't tend to face this problem at the level that shelters do, simply because they have fewer animals to deal with than a city shelter that takes strays in every day.)

Bernstein has plenty of theories about why people might not want black dogs in animal shelters. It's mostly an unconscious thing, she says, which may explain why black cats have the same problems finding a home. People who are aware of superstitions about black cats (don't let them cross your path!) may also be unconsciously harboring superstitions about black dogs.

 In British folklore, such as stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Walter Scott, the black dog is a creepy, spectral figure that haunts cemeteries and is an omen of death. (Non-lit geeks who've never heard of those stories have at least seen "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," in which a big black dog called the Grim stalks Harry.) Another Englishman, Winston Churchill, battled serious bouts of depression which he called "the black dog."

But some speculate that black dogs just don't have the right look to catch the eye of potential adopters.

"Black dogs might appear older; even when they're young, they have bits of facial hair that may be white or gray," Bernstein says. And the ignored breeds are often those who simply look a little big and scary, and whose bad reputations may have preceded them, such as Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher and pit bull mixes.

Bernstein says some people turn in their black dogs to the shelters because they've gotten new furniture and don't like the dark fur their pet sheds.

Too hard to see

But it may be the simplest reason that's costing these dogs a good home ? their black coats can make them invisible in poorly lit kennels. (Same problem happens with amateur photos on shelters' Web sites, which is how many people find the dog they intend to adopt.)

"Sometimes if a potential adopter sees a whole row of black dogs, they think, 'Maybe they're not being adopted for a good reason. Maybe there's something wrong with these dogs,'" Bernstein says.

So volunteers at some shelters put extra energy into getting their black dogs noticed. They place brightly colored, eye-catching blankets and toys in their kennels. At Bernstein's shelters, they tie pink ribbons around the necks of the girls, and fasten big bow ties around the necks of the boys.

"In our kennels, the black dogs are all decked out," Bernstein says.

Summer is here and the Heat is back -

Heat stroke can occur in pretty much anyone. Heat stroke occurs when your body temperature gets so high that it cannot regulate itself and starts to cause your body to shut down. It occurs in humans quite a bit. Most people do not know that in animals it occurs a lot more and a lot quicker than in humans. This is mainly because animals have fur, and so cannot sweat. Sweating is what helps to prevent us from ending up with heat stroke. The only way animals have to prevent heat stroke is by panting, and it is not that effective when it comes right down to it. And it is not just dogs either than suffer from heat stroke, cats, rabbits, and even reptiles can suffer from heat stroke. So it is very important to be educated on heat stroke, the causes of heat stroke, the signs and what to do when you witness these signs. Most of all, it is important to know the steps to take to prevent heat stroke.

At a resting state, a dog's normal temperature will range between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your companion?s temperature rises above 105 degrees, changes within the body will begin, which triggers the beginning of heat stroke. There are several signs to keep an eye out for when it comes to your pet getting heat stroke. If you begin to notice that you pet is panting a lot more excessively than normal, this is usually the first sign. Other one's to keep an eye out for are increased salivation, with the saliva being thicker, gums that are dry and begin to get pale or a gray color, as well as tacky, or you may notice that their pulse is a lot faster than normal or if it is erratic. Your pet may also become weak or confused, or may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting and there is even the possibility of rectal bleeding (Dog heat stroke survival guide: Know how to treat and prevent this dangerous condition). You may also notice that your pet is not obeying your commands, they may get glassy eyes and stare into outer space (Dogs  beat the heat: How is your dog coping). If the heat stroke has set in pretty far by the time you notice it, they may have all ready collapsed or have a seizure as well. These signs are signs not only for your pet dog, but also for any of your other pets as well. The signs, as I am sure you can see, are very similar to those of a human. The main difference is that heat stroke is more common and sets in extremely faster in animals than in humans.

At the onset of heat stroke, it really does begin to shut down the body to make up for the energy it is losing. You really should be able to notice your animal getting extremely tired. If you catch it right away and go to a shady area, there usually is not much of an after affect on the body. Heat stroke really can wreck some havoc on your pet, even if your pet gets through the actual signs of heat stroke. If your dog gets to temperatures between 106 and 108 degrees, he begins to suffer damage to his kidneys, his liver, his gastrointestinal tract, heart and his brain  all of which are irreversible (Dog heat stroke survival guide). Because most cases of heat stroke also suffer from dehydration, your pet's blood becomes thicker and thus there are extra stresses placed on the heart while it tries to pump this thicker blood. This will result in the stagnation of the blood, blood clots and, if it last long enough, the death of tissues throughout the body (Heat stroke and malignant hyperthermia in dogs and cats). Once again, the affects of heat stroke are pretty similar between all animals. It really depends on how high the internal temperature of your animal and how long the heat stroke lasts that determines what the effects will be.

Heat stroke really does run up there in the number of deaths is causes to our pets each summer, during the hot season. The number of actual heat stroke cases is extremely high, but luckily a lot of cases result in an ending that is happier than that of the death of their beloved pet. However, there is still just too many deaths caused as the result of the onset of heat stroke. Unbelievably, the number one cause of deaths of animals, when it comes to heat stroke deaths, is by leaving your companion in a vehicle that does not offer enough ventilation in this hot weather. Most do not realize that when it is only a 70- to 80 degree day, even with the windows open, that the inside of your vehicle can heat up to over 100 degrees  and fast within minutes! Most think that they are safe to leave their pets in the vehicle as long as you leave the windows cracked, but that just does not offer enough ventilation to keep it cool enough for your pet. Recent heat stroke cases that were seen by Dr. Doug Mader included a dog that was left in a parked car for two hours  luckily he lived. Another case, there were two dogs that were taken out by their owners for normal exercise. One of these pups lived, while the other is still in the ICU  we only wish the best for him. Lastly, Dr, Mader had a case where a pet iguana was left in the sun. He was left in a place where there was no shade offered. Luckily, the iguana lived as well (The heat can prove deadly to unattended pets, http://keysnews.com/node/13429). So fortunately, most of these cases did not result in the death of the animal.

So, you are out playing with your dog and you see that he is panting quite hard and that he seems to be getting really tired. When you pet him you notice that he is very warm. What do you do? You need to get him cooled down. You can do this in many different ways, but the best option is to get him wet. However, you do not want to just throw him in water that is cold like a bath or a lake as a sudden rush of too cold of water can actually cause more severe problems. Use a hose to hose him down little by little. If you have a kiddie pool, or if you stay close to shore where it is shallow, you can put him in there, and then splash the water up on him and all over. Do not offer water at this time. If you feel that your pet absolutely needs some water, do not allow your pet to gulp the water because that can also cause problems. Usually it is only recommended to offer water after your dog has cooled down a bit as you also want to make sure that they are not dehydrated. Another thing you should not do is just put a towel that is watered down over the back of your companion. This actually does the complete opposite, as it traps heat in. You also want to try to get him and stay in the shade, as that will also really help. Another big thing is that you want to try to keep the dog moving. Don't let him just lay there, get him to at least stand up, and as soon as he has some of his energy back, get him to walk around slowly. Most think that performance drinks that are good for humans would also be good for your dog, but it is not true. Do not offer these drinks to your pet. If your dog refuses to drink water, try to offer him chicken or beef based broths ? these are better options. You also want to call your vet and bring him in right away. Even if you are able to get his temperature down, you still want to bring him in because the vet will check his vitals, lungs and kidneys to be sure they were not affected by the onset of heat stroke. You also want to keep an eye on your pet for up to 48 hours after the fact as sometimes it can take that long for certain results of the heat stroke to set in.

Well, you know the signs, symptoms, and how to treat heat stroke. What about skipping all of that and just preventing heat stroke? There are many ways to prevent heat stroke. Because the number one way animals get and die from heat stroke is by leaving them in your vehicle, the most obvious prevention is to not leave your beloved pet in the vehicle  even for just a couple of minutes. It does not take long for your car to become extremely hot. You want to make sure you offer a lot of water to your pet while he is out playing. You also want to make sure there's shade wherever you are at for a little rest every once in a while. If you pet is mostly outside during the day, you want to make sure that his doghouse is not primarily enclosed  the more air can get through it, the better. You also want to make sure there is enough shade offered throughout the entire day  remember that the sun moves and thus so do shady spots. Make sure that there is water available all throughout the day. Make sure the water is also in the shade so that your companion does not have to drink hot water. It is also a good idea to put out two water bowls, just in case one tips. If you do take your dog for a walk daily, when it is really hot out, take him earlier in the morning, or later at night when it is cooler. Another good idea is to purchase one of those kiddie pools to put a little water in for your dog to jump in and out of, or if that is not an option, you can get a sandbox and just keep it moist for your pet as well  just know that they will more than likely dig in it and play around. One pet owner even went as far as putting in a cooling and heating system in their pet's dog house so that they did not have to worry about whether it was too hot or too cold for their beloved dogs when they were at work. Even though this may seem a little far-fetched, but the concept has actually spread out quite a bit, especially in areas that suffer from really high temperatures. So, this may or may not be an option for you and your pets as well. The best option really is to train your dogs to be indoor dogs  where it is cooler at all times. The only thing you have to be aware of with indoor dogs is that they are a lot more susceptible to getting heat stroke than dogs that are outdoor dogs. This is simply because outdoor dogs become acclimated to the weather and can handle it a lot better than dogs that are primarily indoors and only go outside occasionally.

No matter which way you look at it, heat stroke can be a real bad thing. It can be fatal to your loved ones. Knowing the signs and symptoms will let you know when it is time to take action and get your pet cooled down. Knowing how to prevent the onset of heat stroke is even more important, because then you can hopefully steer clear of heat stroke in your pets all together. If you do notice signs of heat stroke, take action right away and get your pet to the vet as soon as possible to prevent fatal damage and even the death of your companion. Remember that heat stroke can affect any of your pets, not just your dogs. Most of all, don't leave your pets in your vehicles, even with the windows cracked, because that is just an accident waiting to happen. Most of all, love your pets, play with your pets and stay cool with your pets!

Photo: Associated Press

It seems that every time we turn around, another beloved celebrity is passing away. Today, it is with heavy heart that we report yet another celebrity death. Rest in peace Gidget, the Chihuahua who starred in a series of Taco Bell commercials and made famous the phrase "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!"

Gidget died of a stroke Tuesday at the ripe old age of 15, People Pets reports. She'd lived in comfortable semiretirement since the heyday of the Taco Bell advertising campaign, occasionally making cameo appearances (hawking insurance alongside the GEICO gecko in a 2002 commercial and playing the mother of Reese Witherspoon's Chihuahua, Bruiser, in the sequel to "Legally Blonde").

In the grand tradition of celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich who went before her, Gidget played against type in the Taco Bell ads, portraying a male dog voiced by Argentine American actor Carlos Alazraqui. A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he's best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central's "Reno 911." But others associated with the ad campaign weren't so lucky. Earlier this year, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn't been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.

Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton, described the diminutive dog as a consummate professional on the set in an interview earlier this year with People Pets. But, she said, Gidget had been the victim of typecasting, which limited her career choices (or, rather, Chipperton's choices on her behalf). Although her career waned in recent years, Gidget (and her catchphrase) remained a well-known pop-culture footnote of the 1990s. "She made so many people happy," Chipperton told People Pets.

As Horatio put it so memorably, "Now cracks a noble heart." Good night, sweet prince(ss). We'll miss you and your unerring ability to make us crave fast food.

With all the concern about the EPA spot-on issues, it's important to apply flea and tick preventatives appropriately and carefully! When it comes to properly using and applying flea and tick medications, here are some important considerations:

1. Make sure you know the exact weight of your pet before purchasing a product. Your vet should allow you to weigh your pet for free! This is important because a lot of toxicities seen with flea and tick medication are from inappropriate dosing. Never guess your pet's weight. As a comparison, keep in mind that one gallon of milk weighs approximately 8 pounds.

2. Read the package directions, and then read them again! Despite the small print, it's important to know how to properly apply the flea and tick product. We see lots of inadvertent, unintentional toxicities from pet owners applying the product onto the wrong sized animal, the wrong species (putting a dog product on a cat), and by the wrong route (i.e., some people accidentally give the product orally instead of dermally on the skin!).

3. If you have both cats and dogs, beware. Certain types of flea and tick preventative are very safe for dogs, but very toxic to cats. Using a "small dog" product on a cat can result in life-threatening tremors, seizures, and even death if untreated! If you just applied the product to your dog, and your cat grooms or rubs himself onto the dog (and ointment), toxicity can occur! Separating pets until the product is completely dried is important!

4. When in doubt, call for help. If you think you applied the product erroneously, or if your pet develops adverse reactions, call your veterinarian immediately. In addition, there is often a medical information phone number listed on the packaging - these are typically open 24/7, so when in doubt, call for medical advice!

5. Make sure to always store the box, packaging, and tubing all together, so you have all the information in one area. After using the product, hang on to box for few days, in the event of a reaction.

6. Never, ever split the product. In other words, don't buy a big dog flea and tick product to split and apply onto two medium-sized dogs. This is very dangerous, and the product is not labeled or intended to be split this way.

I found a great article on the Pet Poison Helpline site and thought I would share it. It's a bit

long but very important information to know

.

By Jo Marshall, CVT and Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC

Summer is finally here, and with that comes a myriad of fun outdoor activities along with home and garden projects. While summer is meant for relaxing at the lake with friends picnicking, watching fireworks, and cleaning up and readying yards and gardens for the upcoming growing season, it's potentially fraught with toxic exposure to your pets! Summertime brings new opportunities for potential pet exposures to harmful and dangerous substances. During the summer months, Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is inundated with calls involving yard and garden products (including bone meal, fertilizers, and insecticides), mulch and compost pile ingestions, and exposures to outdoor plants and mushrooms.1 As with all poisonings, early recognition and decontamination (including emesis induction and activated charcoal administration) are key to a successful outcome. Here is some basic information for you to know about when dealing with these exposures.

Compost bins or piles: While we applaud you for composting, make sure to do so appropriately  your compost shouldn't contain any dairy or meat products, and should always be fenced off for the sake of your pets and wildlife. These piles of decomposing and decaying organic matter and molding food products have the potential to contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are toxic to both pets and wildlife. Even small amounts ingested can result in clinical signs within 30 minutes to several hours. Clinical signs include agitation, hyperthermia, hyper-responsiveness, panting, drooling, and vomiting, and can progress to serious CNS signs (including incoordination, tremors, and seizures!). Ruleouts for this include toxins that cause shake and bake, such as metaldehydes (snail bait), strychnine, organophosphates, and methylxanthines. Prompt decontamination is the key if the patient isn't demonstrating clinical signs yet  this includes inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal. Once the patient is symptomatic, aggressive supportive care includes the use of IV fluids, temperature regulation, cooling methods (cooling down to a temperature of 103.5 F/39.7 C), IV muscle relaxants (methocarbamol), and anticonvulsants (i.e., diazepam, phenobarbital).

Slug and Snail Baits: Slug and snail baits are commonly used on the West coast and in warm-weather conditions, and are available in a variety of forms (pellets, granular, powder, and liquid). The active ingredient is typically metaldehyde, which is toxic to all species (particularly dogs).2 When ingested, metaldehyde results in clinical signs that resulted in the nickname shake and bake. Within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion, clinical signs of salivation, restlessness, vomiting, and incoordination are seen, which then progress to tremors, seizures, and secondary severe hyperthermia. Treatment consists of early decontamination, supportive care, temperature regulation (cooling down to a temperature of 103.5 F/39.7 C), anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. Generally, the prognosis is favorable if treatment is quickly and aggressively implemented.

Mole and Gopher Bait: Surprisingly, most veterinary professionals aren't very familiar with mole and gopher baits, which typically contain zinc phosphide. Other types may contain bromethalin. Neither of these active ingredients have an antidote and both can result in rapidly developing, life-threatening symptoms. Zinc phosphide is often manufactured in a poisoned peanut form but can also be found in a pelleted or powdered form. When zinc phosphide combines with gastric acid, it results in rapid phosphine gas formation within the stomach. This toxin is made worse by the presence of food in the stomach, so make sure acutely poisoned pets aren't fed anything when this toxicity occurs! This gas causes severe gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal distension, and cardiovascular insufficiency (similar to symptoms of a GDV or bloat). Pulmonary congestion and edema may also occur.1 Clinical signs develop rapidly within 15 minutes to several hours and include vomiting, salivation, abdominal discomfort, bloating, depression, labored breathing, tremors, and weakness.1 Once clinical signs have developed, the prognosis is guarded.2 A word of caution to veterinary staff: second hand phosphine gas exposure can result in significant health risks to healthcare providers working in unventilated areas. By the time the phosphine gas odor has been recognized (which smells like rotten fish and garlic), there has already been significant exposure to staff.2 So, whenever inducing emesis in a patient with this toxicity, do so in a well ventilated, outdoor area, and contact Pet Poison Helpline for more information on treatment.The other toxin is bromethalin, a neurotoxin, which is found in a pelleted grain or as a gummy worm-shaped strip. These lanced gummy worms are placed underground as mole bait. Dogs can readily dig this product up and ingest it. Because cats aren't typically digging outside, there are fewer exposures to cats  that said, cats are very sensitive to bromethalin also. Bromethalin results in signs of cerebral edema (mentally obtunded, seizures, abnormal pupils, etc.), incoordination, and paralysis. As no antidote is available, treatment is centered around aggressive decontamination to limit absorption, supportive care, and drugs to decrease cerebral edema (i.e., Mannitol). The prognosis is based on the amount ingested and the severity of clinical signs. The more severe the symptoms, the more guarded the prognosis becomes.

Plants: Most garden and food producing plants are non-toxic to pets, and only result in mild gastrointestinal upset when ingested. That said, here are a few common summer plants that can cause concerns when eaten by pets:Tomato plants are in the Nightshade family and contain tomatine. Tomatine is found in concentrations of up to 5% in the leafy greens, the fruit blossoms, and in small green tomatoes; this concentration rapidly decreases as the tomato ripens. When stems, vines and green fruit are ingested, clinical signs can include gastrointestinal irritation, ataxia, and weakness. Treatment is purely supportive with an overall good prognosis. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, calcium oxalate and potassium oxalate and can result in oral and gastrointestinal irritation causing vomiting and diarrhea.4 Treatment includes symptomatic and supportive care. Onions and garlic, when ingested in large amounts, can result in Heinz body formation and anemia. Cats are more sensitive than dogs to Allium toxiciosis.5 Clinical signs are generally secondary to the anemia, with resultant weakness, lethargy and pale mucous membranes. Grapes (or raisins) grown in home gardens can present significant concerns when dogs ingest them. Although the mechanism of action is not clearly understood at this time, grapes can result in anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially severe acute renal failure. The toxicity is not necessarily dose-dependent, and symptoms can occur with even small ingestions. Decontamination, aggressive supportive care, IV fluid therapy, and BUN/creatinine monitoring is recommended.

Mushrooms: There are various types of mushrooms located throughout the United States that may be non-toxic; however, other types of mushrooms may be gastric irritants, hallucinogenic, or hepatotoxic (from cyclopeptides, hydrazine toxins, isoxazoles, or psilocybin compounds).5 The frequency of mushroom toxicity is low, but the lack of readily available identification of mushrooms lands all ingestions in the category of toxic until proven otherwise. With ingestion of any mushroom, immediate emesis is recommended, provided the animal is alert, asymptomatic, and able to adequately protect his or her upper airway. Gastric lavage may be necessary for animals already exhibiting clinical signs. Clinical symptoms are dependent on the species of mushroom ingested, the specific toxin within that mushroom, and the individual?s own susceptibility. 5 Early clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, ataxia, CNS depression, tremors, and seizures, with liver and renal damage occurring later. One can collect all the pieces of the mushroom in a paper towel, place them in a labeled (DO NOT EAT! POISONOUS) paper bag, and refrigerate the sample for future possible identification.

Mulch Products: Cocoa bean mulch, a byproduct of chocolate production, is the discarded hulls or shells of the cocoa bean. This mulch is frequently used for home landscaping and is often very fragrant, especially when first placed in the yard and warmed by the sun. This tempting smell of warm chocolate often attracts and encourages dogs (Labradors!) to ingest the mulch. Through the processing procedure of creating cocoa bean mulch, much of the methylxanthine poison is removed, but still potentially contains 0.19% to 2.98% theobromine and 0.5% to 0.85% caffeine.2 All animals can be affected by methyxanthylates, but dogs tend to have more frequent exposure opportunities to the chocolates, coffee beans and cocoa mulch that contain them. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, tachycardia, tachypnea, and potential seizures.1,2 Symptoms are dose-dependent and an accurate dose is very difficult to determine because of the variation of the concentration of methyxanthylates from one mulch product to next. There have been anecdotal reports of a dog dying after ingesting cocoa bean shell mulch, and this has been rapidly circulating on the Internet. That said, how toxic is this stuff, really? The first report of this poisoning was actually reported by Pet Poison Helpline's Drs. Lynn Hovda and R. Kingston at the 1993 International Congress of Clinical Toxicology. Dr. Steve Hansen from ASPCA published this again 10 years later (Clin Tox 2003;41:5). Recently, Dr. Hansen stated that the cause of the one fatality ( a young Labrador) was "highly suspect." While theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthines) can be toxic, clinical signs are usually more PROGRESSIVE - such as vomiting, diarrhea, more vomiting, trembling, a racing heart rate, and then seizures in very high doses. Cocoa bean mulch is very unlikely to result in sudden death without showing other signs. Nevertheless, play it safe and don't allow pets to ingest this product! Typically, after a first rain, the smell dissipates, making the mulch less attractive to pets.

Salt water toxicity: While it's probably not at the top of your toxin lists, salt water is a dangerous poison, particularly if you take your dog to the beach! If your dog loves to play on the ocean beach, heed caution. Dogs don't realize that salt water is dangerous, and excessive intake can result in severe hypernatremia, or salt poisoning. While initial signs of hypernatremia include vomiting and diarrhea, salt poisoning can progress quickly to neurologic signs like walking drunk, seizures, progressive depression, and ultimately, severe brain swelling. Hypernatremia needs to be treated very carefully with IV fluids by your veterinarian. Help avoid the problem by carrying a fresh bottle of tap water and offering it to your dog frequently while he's frolicking on the beach.

Fertilizers: Fertilizers come in a variety of forms - granular to water soluble  and are soil amendment products routinely used in lawn, garden and farming. There are virtually hundreds of products and product formulations or mixes out there, and most contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in various concentrations. The three numbers that you see listed behind a fertilizer name (i.e., 10:20:10) represent the concentration of these three elements. Typically, limited ingestions of these ingredients generally do not result in significant concerns and are a relatively low level toxicity risk. With most case of fertilizer ingestion, clinical signs are limited to gastrointestinal irritation and foreign body obstruction risk (particularly if organic compounds such as bone meal are mixed in, adding in a risk for pancreatitis!). Keep in mind that there are some fertilizers that contain iron, along with other herbicide and pesticide additives, and these pose additional concerns and can result in significant health concerns.

Herbicides: Herbicides rarely result in concerns when used and applied according to the label directions, provided pets have been kept off the treated surfaces until the applied product has dried completely. However, when applied inappropriately, or when pets chew containers of concentrated product, there is a significant increase in the likelihood of potential toxicity. Clinical signs are dose and product dependent. Glyphosate and 2,4-D are two of the most commonly used herbicides.3 Ingestions of glyphosate concentrates can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and lethargy.1,2 With ingestion of concentrated 2,4-D, clinical signs include vomiting and weakness.3 While there are no antidotes for these products, prompt, supportive care (including IV or SC fluids and anti-emetics) generally provide a good prognosis.

Pesticides: Today's pesticides are much safer than products used 30 years ago. Examples of newer pesticides include fipronil, imidicloprid, sulfuramide and hydramethylnon. Many of these products have very low percentages of the active ingredient and are poorly absorbed systemically in mammalian species. Pesticides typically have wide margins of safety and are relatively low risk to pets. Like herbicides, when these products are applied appropriately and according to the label directions, these are minimal concern to pets. That said, these products often are mixed with bone meal, which makes it attractive and palatable to dogs. While the bone meal does not pose a significant toxicity concern, it can result in gastrointestinal irritation, severe pancreatitis and a possible foreign body obstruction (as it creates a big ball of bone in the stomach). More importantly, this increase in palatability can greatly increase the amount of the pesticide ingested. Organophosphates and carbamates are dangerous pesticide exposures because they are competitive inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. These pesticides are easily and rapidly absorbed from a variety of routes.4 The anticholinesterase properties result in clinical signs with an easy-to-remember acronym SLUDGE: salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, and gastroenteritis. Other clinical signs include weakness, bradycardia, mydriasis or miosis, ataxia, paralysis, and respiratory depression. Death typically occurs from severe bronchial secretions, resulting in the patient drowning in their lungs and secondary, severe hypoxemia. The two antidotes are pralidoxime chloride (2PAM) and high-dose atropine.2 These antidotes must be given rapidly for the best prognosis. Rapid decontamination in asymptomatic animals includes inducing emesis, gastric lavage, and activated charcoal. Once patients are clinically symptomatic, aggressive supportive care, oxygen saturation monitoring, anti-convulsant therapy, diphenhydramine for tremors, IV fluid therapy, and intensive monitoring is necessary.

Fireworks: These can result in burns; injury to the mouth, eyes, or paws; and possible heavy metal toxicity if ingestion. Fireworks can contain iron, copper, barium, mercury, phosphorus and magnesium in the coloring agents.1 The amount of heavy metal varies widely, depending on the type of fireworks, quantity ingested, and coloring agent used.1 Clinical symptoms seen with fireworks ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, tremors and seizures. Induction of emesis and activated charcoal are not recommended and animals should be immediately evaluated at a veterinary clinic for injury.

Bluegreen algae or cyanobacteria: Growth of toxic algae can be found in both fresh and salt water throughout the warm regions of the world. Blue-green algae becomes concerning when algae accumulates on the surface of the water during hot, dry weather with wind that can shift concentrated algae mats along the shorelines.1 Affected water may have the appearance of pea soup with thick layers of algae on the surface. Blooms of blue-green algae can contain hepatoxins and/or neurotoxins, depending on the species. Exposures occur when dogs ingest or swim water that contains the cyanobateria. Clinical signs with the hepatoxin variety are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, shock, icterus, and potentially death within 24 hours to several days. Clinical signs seen with ingestion of neurotoxin species occur acutely with onset of tremors, lethargy, seizures and respiratory distress and death within a hour.3 Spring and summer preventative wellness visits to the clinic are the perfect time for client education  these visits also serve as an opportunity to reminder pet owners about potential hazards that may have been out of sight during the colder months of the year. Education of staff and pet owners has proven to be the best method of preventing exposures to potentially harmful substances in animals. This coupled with information on when to seek prompt veterinary intervention and care will help keep your patients happy and healthy through the busy summer months ahead!

Resource: Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications , and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be aware there is a $35/per case consultation fee. Pet Poison Helpline is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Helpline number is 1-800-213-6680. For further information regarding services, visit the PPH website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

References:

1. Pet Poison Helpline Case Database: Unpublished data, Bloomington, MN, 2004 ? 2009.

2. Plumlee KH: Clinical Veterinary Toxicology, St Louis, MO, Mosby, 2004. pp322-325.

3. Peterson ME, Talcott PA (eds): Small Animal Toxicology, ed. 2, St Louis, MO, Elsevier Saunders, 2001.

4. Gfeller RW, Messonnier SP: Handbook of Small Animal Toxicology and Poisoning, St Louis, MO, Mosby, 1998.

5. Burrows GE, Tyrl RJ: Toxic Plants of North America, Ames. Iowa , Iowa State University Press, 2001.

Barking is a perfectly natural and normal behavior in dogs, but that's not a good enough explanation for most angry neighbors and napping relatives. It's both unfair and unrealistic to expect your dogs to become mute, but here are a few steps to turn down the volume.

Step1

Try to determine why your dog barks'eliminating the cause will increase your chances of success.

Step2

Have your dog's favorite treat within reach.

Step3

Praise the dog for barking once he starts by saying 'Good job' and then 'What's the matter?'

Step4

Tell the dog, 'Be quiet.'

Step5

Wave the treat in front of your dog's nose. Most dogs will instantly quiet down, because they will be concentrating on smelling and attempting to lick the treat, rather than barking.

Step6

Keep praising the dog. Tell the dog that he is a good dog for being quiet.

Step7

Let the dog have the treat after 3 seconds of quiet time.

Step8

Wave another treat in front of your dog if he starts to bark again. This time, try not to let your dog have the treat until 5 seconds of quiet time have elapsed. Your dog should learn that after each successful quiet-time interval, he will be rewarded.

Step9

Scold your dog every time he makes a mistake. If the dog barks, even for just an instant, as you're waving the treat in front of his nose, say 'Be quiet,' in a louder voice. Then reward the dog immediately after he stops barking.

Step10

Increase the quiet-time intervals by 3 seconds each time: from 3 seconds to 6 seconds to 9 seconds and so on. It is possible to continue to a couple of minutes of quiet time during the first session, which would mean significant progress in curbing your dog's barking habit.

By Truman Lewis

Greenies

NUTRO Pulls Greenies Dental Chews from Supermarkets

Greenies To Get "Clarified" Feeding Instructions

Dog Owners Say Greenies Dog Treats Killed Their Pet

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 Consumer Complaints about Greenies

Consumer Complaints about NUTRO

ConsumerAffairs.com

 NUTRO Products, Inc. says it is pulling its Greenies line of pet dental chews from supermarkets and other mass markets. Beginning in June, the Greenies which have been blamed for illness and deaths in some dogs and cats  will be distributed only through veterinary hospitals and pet specialty retailers.

We believe that pet medical professionals at veterinary hospitals and well-trained, knowledgeable staff at pet specialty stores are best equipped to answer pet owners questions about our products and to make the right recommendation, said Carolyn Hanigan, vice president of marketing for Nashville, Tenn.-based NUTRO.

The company said that staff education was a primary concern for the Greenies dental chew line, as each of five sizes is formulated for a corresponding weight range

It's the latest attempt to resolve highly-publicized incidents of pet deaths attributed to the popular treats. Pet owners said the treats failed to be properly digested and led to fatal intestinal obstructions.

In February 2006, the company said it would clarify the instructions on the packaging. The green-tinted treats are in the shape of a toothbrush and are promoted as an effective way to prevent gum disease in animals and promote oral health.

Reformulated

The dental chews were reformulated to be "more highly soluble and thus safer, yet effective as a daily preventive of oral disease," the company said in a November 2007 statement. Independent studies conducted by the University of Illinois confirmed the high solubility of Greenies, according to the statement, which said that the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) had awarded its Seal of Acceptance to Greenies for plaque and tartar control.

In 2005, a New York couple filed a $5 million lawsuit against Greenies' then-manufacturer, S&M NuTec, charging the treats are unsafe and inadequately labeled. The couple charged an undigested Greenie caused the death of their four-year-old Dachshund. The company was later acquired by NUTRO.

Jennifer Reiff and Michael Eastwood say their minature dachshund died two days after they fed him a petit-sized Greenie.

More about Pet Food Recalls ...

The couple told WCBS-TV in New York that the day after giving the dog the treat, they took him to the vet where he underwent emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. Reiff and Eastwood say it was a portion of a Greenie that caused the problem. Their pet died two days later.

KIRO-TV in Seattle reported in 2005 that the Food and Drug Administration had begun an investigation of the complaints but nothing more was ever heard of the supposed probe.

Pet owners complain

ConsumerAffairs.com has received complaints from several pet owners whose pets died or became ill after chewing the popular treats.

"We gave such a treat to our Japanese Chin on Friday and she is dead," said Mary of Sayville, N.Y. in September 2007. "The vet did an autopsy and she choked on a piece of this allegedly digestive greenie. My vet told me that a number of dogs have either choked to death or died as a result of intestinal blockages caused by Greenies."

Rose of Phenix City, Ala., said in September 2006 that her Maltese became ill after eating a Greenie: "She couldn't eat or drink. She almost died. ... My dog was sick for 2 weeks and was in the intensive care and given IVs."

Lisa of Simi Valley, Calif. was luckier.

"My Standard Poodle, Hummer, got into a bag of Greenies which had not even been opened  they were still sealed in the bag in the shipping box. He weighs around 54 pounds and ate appoximately 8oz. Later he was rushed to the pet Emergency Clinic had to spend the night and we were told to watch him carefully the next several days," she said in a 2006 complaint.

Lisa said Hummer was rushed back to the hopsital in Noctober for emergency surgery.

Developed by dog owners

Greenies were developed in the late 1990s when two dog owners, Joe and Judy Roetheli, teamed with a well-known board-certified veterinary nutritionist to develop a dog chew treat formulated to control dental tartar, plaque and gingivitis, and formulated to taste great while reducing bad breath.

NUTRO is owned by Mars, Inc., one of the world's largest producers of pet food, confectionary, beverage, food and health food.

The privately-held company is headquartered in McLean, Va. A division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied that it is investigating NUTRO Products Inc., whose pet foods are the subject of more than 700 complaints from consumers who say their dogs and cats became ill and, in some cases, died after eating NUTRO products.

For passengers of new airline, when the fur flies, it's in style; Pet Airways welcomes only four-legged fliers. A solution to some of the anxiety that Deborah Kehoe Wade and other pet owners suffer when they have to put a furry family member on a plane may be around the corner. It's the sort of anxiety Wade experienced when she moved from Washington, D.C., to Bogota, Colombia, two years ago, despite paying a New York pet travel service more than $2,000 to ship her pets. "The guy in New York did a good job," Wade says of the service. "He was very nice. But it was kind of disconcerting. You never met him. You just talked to him on the phone. And you're trusting him with your pet. "I do think it would be nice to take your dog out to the airport and hand your pet to a person who can tell you that they personally will put your pet on the plane and see to his needs," she says.

Soon, pet owners who live in a handful of large U.S. cities will have the ability to do that. Pet Airways plans to begin service on July 14 as the USA's first pets-only carrier -- no human passengers allowed. The introductory fare: $149 each way. For that, pets will be flown in individual crates in lighted and pressurized plane cabins, with a human attendant checking them every 15 minutes. They'll board, just like people, from their own airport lounges and get overnight lodging accommodations on long-haul flights. Their owners can track their whereabouts at all times online. They can even earn "pet points" as frequent fliers.

Pet Airways won't solve every owner's needs initially. It will serve only five U.S. destinations: Baltimore/Washington International Airport, plus non-commercial airports in the New York City area, and in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. It's catering to dogs and cats starting out. And it'll fly each route once a week. But Pet Airways founders, husband and wife team Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, have big expansion plans and are convinced there will be plenty of demand from pet lovers to achieve them. "We're planning on growth to 25 cities in the next couple of years," Binder says. Potty breaks for 'pawsengers'

Lots of start-up airlines with big ambitions have failed. Unlike Pet Airways, most didn't launch amid a deep recession. But Binder and Wiesel believe they've found the right specialty market and a modest enough operating plan to make it. "There're about 87 million U.S. households that have pets. It's a niche market, no doubt. But the pet community -- pet owners and pet lovers -- they get it," Binder says. "They've known for a long time that there's a need for this. We're pet owners ourselves. We are our own market."

The key to Pet Airways' success may be its choice of aircraft: the affordable, economical Beech 1900. Designed as a 19-passenger turboprop for use by regional carriers serving small markets, the 1900 used to be one of the most widely used planes by regional airlines. But travelers' preference for jets forced airlines to abandon turboprops starting in the late 1990s, even though jets are more expensive to operate. That left the market flooded with little-used 1900s.

Geoffrey Gallup, co-owner of Suburban Air Freight, an Omaha-based air-freight specialist that will operate Pet Airways' planes under contract, says he can supply as many 1900s as Pet Airways needs. If it needs more than the four 1900s currently in Suburban Air's fleet, Gallup says, more can be obtained for about $1.5 million each. That's paltry compared with the $10 million to $35 million price tags on used jets. The 1900 won't fly as fast or as far as a jet. But unlike time-conscious humans, dogs and cats shouldn't mind. Making more frequent stops for fuel actually is a good thing for animals. It'll give attendants time to get the animals out of the plane for a walk and potty break.

With all its passenger seats removed except those for in-flight pet attendants, the 1900 can hold up to 50 small animal crates, though typically it will fly with smaller numbers of what the airline calls "pawsengers." "It's a completely novel idea that is fascinating to me," Gallup says. "The more we talked to Dan and Alysa about it, the more we came to see that they've done their homework." Pet comfort and owners' peace of mind are what Pet Airways is selling more than the transportation. It's a lesson Binder and Wiesel learned from experience. In 2005, the couple moved from California's Bay Area, where they'd been successful recruiters for and consultants to several venture-capital groups and tech start-ups. They figured that Zoe, their 17-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was too old to make the cross-country drive to Delray Beach, Fla., comfortably. Zoe traveled in the dark belly of a jetliner. Zoe survived the flight better than Binder and Wiesel, who fretted while their dog was in transit. "We thought there had to be a better way," Binder says. That was the genesis of Pet Airways.

Few of the estimated 1 million or more animals that fly annually are lost, injured or die during air travel. In 2005, the first year that airlines had to report those numbers, 102 pets died, 48 were reported injured and 30 more were lost. In 2008, only 31 pets (dogs, cats and birds) died in transit on airlines, with only eight injuries and four animals reported as lost, according to the website PetFlight.com. But it's not necessarily statistics that matter most to owners. It's a perceived lack of comfort, the sometimes hassle involved in transporting live animals by air, and a fear that their pets will be harmed that spark anxiety.

There are commonly quoted, but hard-to-substantiate, statistics from various animal welfare groups that suggest more pets are harmed in transit than the officially reported numbers indicate. Pet Airways itself quotes a study by the San Francisco SPCA that estimates that about 5,000 animals are injured, out of an estimated 1 million to 2 million that travel by air each year.

It's Pet Airways' goal to ease those concerns by convincing owners its service is safer.

"We're going to provide a level of care that will both keep your pet comfortable and make you comfortable with the whole process of transporting them," Binder says.

Not the only way to fly Pet Airways isn't launching its service into a competitive vacuum. Although their policies vary widely, all the USA's biggest passenger airlines allow at least some type of pet travel.

Even Southwest, which had never allowed pets onboard, announced last month that it would let cats and dogs in the cabin if their approved carriers fit under a passenger's seat.

In recent years, two airlines, Continental and Delta, have created special operations aimed at treating animals better. The few available statistics don't prove conclusively that their approach is safer or more successful, but their goal is to make people comfortable with the idea of putting their pets on planes, thereby giving the owners greater reason to fly on them, too.

Continental's PetSafe program (Delta's similar program is called Pet First) features airport kennels at its hubs and temperature-controlled vans that deliver pets to planes moments before they push back from gates and pick them up immediately after a plane docks. That gives pets last-on/first-off treatment and reduces chances of prolonged exposure to temperature extremes on the loading ramp and potential hazards in cargo areas.

"We have specialized workers in our hubs who actually bid for PetSafe jobs. That's all they do, work with animals all day long," says Lisa Schoppa, manager of product development in Continental's cargo division. "Most importantly, they're empowered. If they see something wrong with a puppy, for example, they have full authority to pull that puppy off the flight line and take them to a vet if they think that's necessary."

In addition, there are about 300 independent pet travel specialists around the world who are members of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association. These companies are best described as travel agencies for pets, says Gay O'Brien, IPATA's president and head of family-owned O'Brien Animal Transportation & Services in Foster City, Calif.

Pet travel companies help humans navigate the complex and often contradictory rules that govern animal travel. Their services, which can include door-to-door service or other special handling arrangements, cost more than dealing directly with the airlines, even though most animals shipped this way wind up being on the same planes. But pet travel companies argue that their value-added services reduce owners' hassles, and are worth it.

Humans are not the only ones who look forward to summer. Imagine warm weather from your pets perspective  long walks in parks full of green grass and interesting aromas for dogs, and hours of bird-watching from a sunny window for cats. Its also fun for pets to be part of the festivities when their human parents do some summer entertaining. However the definition of a party for a furry friend is very different from that of its care takers.

How do you include the furry members of the family into summer entertaining without turning a backyard barbecue into a doggie food free-for-all or the evening dinner party into a feline hissy fit? By carefully planning and managing your pets interactions with guests and preparing for the big day, it is possible to keep Fluffy or Fido an enjoyable part of your celebration, says Charlotte Reed, pet care expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette.

Petiquette for summer entertaining is a fine balancing act, but one that offers significant rewards for you and your pets, Reed says. Your guests can enjoy the presence of a well-behaved pet and a fresh, odor-free home.

Here are Reeds tips for making summer entertaining as enjoyable as possible for your pets and your guests:

1. Make your pets presence known.

While most summer guests will likely know your pet status, some may not, especially if they are recent acquaintances or first-time visitors to your home. Be sure to alert guests to what type of pets you have at home at the time you invite them to visit. From strong allergies to pet hair aversions, there are many reasons why guests may want to know ahead of time what furry friends will be at the party.

2. The ABCs of introductions and interaction.

First impressions mean a lot. If your dog jumps up on people every time he meets them, he won't be giving a good impression, Reed says. If your dog has a tendency to jump, work with him for several weeks before the party to train him to sit and lay. As guests arrive, keep your pet on a leash and personally introduce him to each new guest. Encourage guests to interact with him calmly and firmly so that he doesn't forget his manners in the excitement of meeting someone new.

Likewise, if your pet is simply not that social, don't force her to interact with guests. Allow cats to retreat to their favorite hiding spot  few felines are into the party scene. And if your dog seems stressed by the attention and action, allow him some quiet time in a private place. There's no point in forcing your pet to interact with your guests if he or she doesn't want to, Reed says.

3. Fend off food fights.

Food discipline should start long before the party, Reed advises. You may think your dogs begging eyes are adorable and irresistible, but few things are more unappetizing to house guests than a pet begging for food, she says. Train your pet not to beg at the table. And if he or she simply can't break the habit, then confine him to quarters when the food is served.

Discourage guests from feeding pets tidbits or table treats. The last thing you want is a pet with an upset stomach because he ate too much human food, Reed says.

Winter Flea Guide

For Safe and Joyful Winter……………use Flea Protection. Contrary to common belief, fleas do survive during the winters, especially indoors. To ensure proper flea and tick control and minimize risk of infestation, continuous year-round treatment is recommended even in winter months. Due to nationwide record-breaking precipitation during the winter, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks are anticipated earlier and in much larger volumes this year. The parasites are expected to be the highest in very damp areas that are beginning to experience warmer weather. Areas that have very wet winter are likely to experience a heavy flea and tick season once the weather warms this spring. A single bite can cause Allergies and Diseases. These Allergies and Diseases include: West Nile Virus caused by Mosquitoes. Lyme Disease, Babesiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever transmitted by Ticks. Flea Allergy Dermatitis developed from Flea Bites. Hair loss and Skin Abrasions caused by Single Flea Bite. Tapeworms in pets can also be cause by Fleas. Life-threatening Anemia can be caused Flea Infestations. The possibility for dogs and cats to be infected with various diseases transmitted by these parasites could increase with a heavier flea, tick and mosquito. Through the use of products that are designed to keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes at bay, you can help prevent them from infesting your home; where you and your pets live. To combat fleas during the winter, you need to address both the pet and the environment, since fleas live a large part of their life cycle off of the pet and in the environment (bedding, home, and yard). Fleas need warm temperatures to survive. The inside of your home provides a warm environment to allow fleas to thrive year round regardless of seasons. Most climates have bad flea problems all year round. It is important to note that a home in any climate may provide enough heat and humidity for fleas to survive if introduced to the environment. By the time you notice fleas on your pet, the fleas have injected salivary proteins, transmitted infectious agents and begun laying eggs. Ticks can transmit disease agents to dogs or cats before the pests are found and removed. Animals shed to get rid of old, damaged, or extra hair. Animals grow a heavy coat in the winter to help insulate themselves and then shed the extra hair in the summer. However, dogs will also shed broken or damaged hair, and if their skin is irritated from conditions such as allergies, they will also shed excessively. Nothing makes hair fall out more than when a pet is scratching or biting at its skin and coat. Make sure your pet is getting the proper allergy relief and flea protection. WINTER FLEA FACTS One in seven dogs has fleas in winter. One in three cats suffers from fleas in winter. Dogs and cats living in warm weather states had a higher percentage of flea infestation. A single bite can cause allergies, disease, and skin irritation. Studies show that fleas can stay on your pets year-round! And, surprisingly, cats are most likely to carry fleas. Warm winter homes and cozy fur provide perfect hiding places for fleas. Immature forms of the flea can live in tiny protected areas out-of -doors during the winter. Improved flea protection can minimize health risks and reduce flea infestation, providing relief to both pets and yourself.   PRODUCTS: Frontline PLUS Advantage Flea Control Knockout E.S. Herbal Flea Products Yard Spray Siphotrol Plus II Mosquito Halt