Pets Used in Laboratories

Yes, pets are used as lab animals for research, education, and testing.  Many come from commercial suppliers, but approximately 50% are taken from shelters or purchased from brokers, who obtain them from newspaper/internet ads.  One breed that is considered especially desirable as an experimental lab animal is the beagle, due to their reliably friendly nature, small size, and tendency to be long-lived.  There are laws in place regarding the humane care of lab animals - regulating housing, ventilation, and sanitation.  There are also laws that attempt to address the pain/distress experienced by these animals.  But more needs to be done.  Both the Humane Society and the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing provide accurate information along with suggestions on how you can make a difference.  Take a look at their web sites:

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pets_experiments/

http://caat.jhsph.edu/

Hazardous Plants

If you have any of these plants in or around your home, be sure to keep them out of your dog's reach.  This list includes plants that are fully or partially poisonous.

A:  Aloe, Amaryllis, Andromeda Japonica, Asian Lily, Asparagus Fern, Australian Nut, Autumn Crocus, Azalea
B:  Belladonna, Bird of Paradise, Bittersweet, Black Locust, Branching Ivy, Buckeye, Buddhist Pine
C:  Caladium, Calla Lily, Castor Bean, Ceriman, Clematis, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cycads, Cyclamen
D:  Daffodil, Daylily, Devil's Ivy, Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane
E:  Easter Lily, Elephant Ears, Emerald Fern, English Ivy, Eucalyptus
F:  Ferns, Fiddle-leaf Philodendron, Florida Beauty, Foxglove
G:  Glacier Ivy, Gladiolas, Gold Dust Dracaenas, Golden Pothos
H:  Heavenly Bamboo, Honeysuckle, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea
I:  Iris
J:  Jerusalem Cherry, Jimson Weed
K:  Kalanchoe
L:  Lantana, Lilies, Lily of the Valley, Lupine
M:  Marble Queen, Morning Glory, Mother-in-Law, Mountain Laurel
N:  Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthysis, Nightshade
O:  Oleander
P:  Panda, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Poison Hemlock, Precatory Bean, Privet
R:  Red Emerald, Rhododendron, Ribbon Plant
S:  Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Striped Dracaena, Sweetheart Ivy
T:  Tulip
W:  Water Hemlock, Wisteria
Y:  Yew, Yucca

Harmful Food Items

Here's a list of some common food items that are harmful to dogs:
-Alcoholic beverages
-Avocado
-Baking soda/baking powder
-Caffeine
-Chocolate (all forms)
-Coffee (all forms)
-Fat trimmings (can cause pancreatitis)
-Fruit pits and seeds
-Garlic
-Grapes
-Gum, candy, other foods sweetened with Xylitol
-Macadamia nuts
-Moldy/spoiled foods
-Mushrooms
-Nutmeg
-Onions
-Persimmons
-Potato peelings and green potatoes
-Raisins
-Raw yeast dough
-Rhubarb leaves
-Salt
-Tea leaves

~Happy, healthy hounding  :)

Canine Bloat: Gastric Dilation Volvulus

BLOAT:  it appears suddenly, is very serious, and progresses quickly into a life-threatening condition.  Being able to recognize the symptoms of bloat and knowing what immediate actions to take can make the difference between life and death for your dog.  There are also a few things you can do to possibly help avoid this horrible condition from occuring.  Bloat is a condition of the digestive system - in simple terms, the stomach swells with excess fluid, gas, (or both) due to a twisting rotation of the stomach.  The fluid/gas is then unable to leave the stomach.  Meanwhile, major vessels are also compressed, severely affecting the dog's circulation.  This combination leads to shock, coma, and death if not treated quickly.  Even with treatment, a certain percentage of dogs affected by bloat do die.  Initial treatment usually involves an effort to relieve pressure in the stomach, along with the administration of fluids and medications.  Once the dog is stable, surgery is usually performed in an attempt to turn the stomach back into a more "normal" position, where it is then stitched, or stapled to help keep it in place.  Any dog who has had an episode of bloat is at greater risk of suffering bloat again in the future.   There are some symptoms that are usually seen in dogs suffering bloat.  These include: restlessness, panting, whining, pacing, drooling (signs of pain), attempts at vomitting with no results, attempts at defecating with no results, swollen stomach MAY be visible (but not always!), difficulty breathing, walking and standing, excessive heartbeat, off-colored gums.  IF YOU OBSERVE THESE SYMPTOMS GET TO A VET IMMEDIATELY!   There are also risk-factors for bloat.  Large, "deep-chested" dogs are more at risk.  These include (but not limited to) breeds such as:  GSD, Great Dane, Standard Poodle, Rottweiler, Akita, Bloodhound, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Doberman, etc.  Eating/feeding habits also affect bloat risk.  Here is where YOU can make a difference!!  Do what you can to keep your dog from gobbling up large meals.  You can do this by offering 2 smaller meals a day instead of 1 large meal.  Place ice cubes in your dog's food bowl to slow down the eating process (or purchase one of the special bowls now available for this purpose).  If you own multiple dogs, feed them in separate areas to avoid "guzzling".   Other feeding habits to reduce risk: never feed before or after heavy work/play sessions.  Do not allow your dog to drink large amounts of water after eating.  Feed in a relaxed environment.  If you change your dog's diet, do so gradually.  Feed a QUALITY FOOD: avoid excess grains and carbohydrates.  Consider adding probiotics to your dog's diet to promote healthy digestion.  Also, studies suggest that elevated feeding bowls are NOT the best for your dog.

~Happy Hounding  :)

Common Household Medications For Fido

Following is a list of common household medications that we at the rescue I volunteer with recommend for safe use on dogs.  These can be VERY useful, especially if you cannot immediately reach your veterinarian.  I've listed the condition the medication relieves as well as recommended canine dosage.

BENADRYL : allergies/itching : 1/2-1 mg per lb every 8 hrs. Max dose 2 mg per lb.
BUFFERED ASPIRIN : pain relief/anti-inflammatory : 5 mg per lb. every 12 hrs.
DRAMAMINE : motion sickness : 12 1/2 - 50 mg every 8 hrs.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 3% : induce vomitting after ingesting poison : 10 ml by mouth, repeat if not vomitting, do not exceed 3 doses
IMODIUM AD : diarrhea : 1 ml per lb or 1 mg per 20 lbs every 8 hrs.
KAOPECTATE : diarrhea : 1 ml per lb every 2 hrs.
MINERAL OIL : constipation : up to 4 tablespoons daily
CANNED PUMPKIN : constipation : 2-3 teaspoons every 8-12 hrs.
PEPTO BISMOL : diarrhea, vomitting, gas : 1 tsp per 5 lbs or 1 caplet per 20 lbs every 6 hrs.
ROBITUSSIN DM : coughing, hacking : 1 tsp per 20 lbs every 8-12 hours
IBUPROFEN AND TYLENOL : DO NOT USE!!!!!!!!