I love my dogs - luvmypit's Blog - SacPaws.com

I love my dogs - luvmypit's Blog - SacPaws.com http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit en-us First human case of west nile virus http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/312 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/312 From Capitol Television News Service and the CDPH...<br /> <br /> The California Department of Public Health has announced this year's first case of a human being infected with West Nile Virus.  A Tulare County woman is recovering at home from the virus and did not require hospitalization.  West Nile has been detected in mosquitoes, birds or other animals in 19 California counties so far this year, compared to 12 at this time last year.  State public health officials are telling county health officers to prepare for a potentially worse West Nile year than last, particularly in Southern California. <br /> <br /> See <a href="http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/news/Pages/NR2008-34-WestNileVirus.aspx">www.2.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/news/Pages/NR2008-34-WestNileVirus.aspx </a>for more info. Is one cat enough? http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/297 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/297 I'm really more of a dog person, but found these tips from WashingtonPost.com interesting.  Enjoy!<br /> <br /> <p>For some households, one cat is not enough. In fact, over 56 percent of the cat owning households in this country have at least two cats living under one roof, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.</p> <p>So, if you feel that more is merrier, make sure your house is equipped to handle the needs of multiple felines.</p> <p>Here are some things to keep in mind:</p> <blockquote> <li>To minimize cat fighting, make sure you have at least one litter box for each cat. And, some experts suggest having at least one extra box somewhere in the house, or making sure there is a box on each floor of the house. </li> <li>Provide many places for cats to hide out and perch. Scratching posts, beds, food and water should also be available in several locations. </li> <li>If you decide to become a multi-cat household, take great care in the way you introduce a new cat. Many experts suggest putting a new cat in a room of his own for a couple of days. Then put your new cat in another room and let the old cat come into the room and sniff out the new cat's scent. Start actual visitation slowly and see how it goes before letting both cats have free roam of the house. </li> <li>Before you get a second (or third) cat, remember this: the major reason cats are brought to animal shelters is that they could not get along with the other cat(s) in the house. <p>--Jura Koncius, Home section</p> </li> </blockquote>

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Cocoa Mulch can pose risk for pets http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/287 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/287 <div><span class="112554121-04062008"><font size="2" face="Arial">My friend just sent this to me and apparently it's legit...</font></span></div> <br /> <div>Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and<br />  wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving<br />  friends and family. Please tell every dog owner you know.<br />  <br /> Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa<br />  Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled<br />  and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog<br />  Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a<br /> large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats<br />  something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom<br />  woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the<br />  walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.<br />  <br /> Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on t he label, upon further<br />  investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to<br />  dogs.<br />  <br /> Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is<br />  true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch<br />  can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each<br />  individual dog).<br />  However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.' True information about the mulch<br />  can be found here - <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm" title="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" title="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm">http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm</span></a></span>;<br />  <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm" title="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" title="http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm">http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm</span></a><br /> </span> <br /> This site gives the following information: Cocoa Mulch, which is so ld by<br />  Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores,<br />  contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine' . It is lethal to dogs<br />  and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They<br />  will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the<br />  last 2-3 weeks.<br />  Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware<br />  of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.<br />  <br /> Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate<br />  especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean<br />  shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine<br />  compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that<br />  ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells<br />  developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the<br />  stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the<br />  prese nce of lethal amounts of th eobromine.<br />  Please<br />  email the manufacturer at michellemessick@ hersheys. com and request<br />  that accurate information about this product be posted on the packaging<br />  to avoid further tragedy.</div> Pet owners, makers of tainted food reach deal http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/263 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/263 Pet owners, makers of tainted food reach deal<br /> <br /> <br /> Friday May 23, 7:00 AM EDT <br /> <br /> MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (AP) — Companies that were sued over contaminated pet food linked to the deaths of perhaps thousands of dogs and cats have agreed to pay $24 million to pet owners in the United States and Canada.<br /> <br /> The settlement is detailed in papers filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court in Camden. It still needs a judge's approval.<br /> <br /> "The settlement attempts to reimburse pet owners for all of their economic damages," said Russell Paul, a lawyer for plaintiffs in the lawsuit.<br /> <br /> The deal would affect people who incurred expenses directly related to the illness or death of a pet linked to the food, which was at the center of the biggest-ever U.S. pet food recall in 2007.<br /> <br /> Nearly 300 people sued about 30 companies in state and federal courts. They and perhaps thousands of other pet owners would be eligible for payments under the deal.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ontario-based Menu Foods Income Fund, which makes dog and cat food under about 90 brand names, and other firms that make or sell pet food announced April 1 that they were settling lawsuits with pet owners.<br /> <br /> The pet food was discovered to contain wheat gluten imported from China that was contaminated with melamine, a chemical used to make plastics. Though Menu was the first company to issue recalls, four other companies eventually recalled pet foods, too.<br /> <br /> Some of the companies have already paid out more than $8 million to people whose pets were sickened or killed after eating the contaminated food.<br /> <br /> Under the terms of the deal announced Thursday, pet owners could be reimbursed for all reasonable expenditures, including veterinarian bills and burial or cremation costs.<br /> <br /> Pet owners could also ask for the fair market value of their deceased pets, if that is higher than the costs incurred. Owners who do not have documentation of their expenses can get up to $900 each. All claims are subject to a review.<br /> <br /> The companies say they will donate any money left in the fund after claims are paid out to animal welfare charities.<br /> <br /> The settlement details were originally to have been filed in court about two weeks ago, but it took longer than expected to hash out the deal, partly because it had to be made to conform with both U.S. and Canadian law.<br /> <br /> A court hearing on the settlement is scheduled for May 30. From the US Humane Society http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/254 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/254 <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">This morning, the USDA announced that it will implement a complete ban on slaughter for human consumption of cattle unable to stand and walk unassisted. The decision comes after The Humane Society of the United States documented horrible abuses of downed cows in a series of undercover videos.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">For far too long, sick and crippled animals have been allowed into the food supply, subjecting them to needless torment and putting consumers at risk. Thanks in part to many thousands of animal advocates who emailed and called public officials about the scandalous mistreatment of these animals, the USDA is moving to close the downer loophole. We are calling on the agency to expedite the process and ban the slaughtering of downers without delay.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Once the loophole is closed, we'll push for additional reforms. Stronger federal legislation is needed to ensure humane euthanasia of downers and protect all farm animals from this kind of abuse. We'll continue to lobby for further reforms and keep you updated.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Thank you for all you do for animals.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Sincerely,<br /> <img border="0" alt="" src="https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/wayne-sig.gif" /><br /> </font><font size="2" face="verdana, arial,sans-serif" color="#000000">Wayne Pacelle<br /> President  & CEO<br /> The Humane Society of the United States</font></p> Question http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/237 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/237 <div>If you leave a cat burglar alone with your cats, and one comes up missing, should you be surprised?</div> From the US Humane Society http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/221 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/221 <font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"> </font> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"> You probably remember when The Humane Society of the United States exposed animal mistreatment at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. That investigation led to the nation's largest-ever beef recall. <a target="_blank" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?" href="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#cc6633" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><strong title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><u title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?">But now there's more.</u></strong></font></a></font></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">A few months later, a new undercover video shows farm animals suffering terribly even before they arrive at the slaughter plant. Cows too weak to walk, called "downers," languish for agonizing hours at stockyards and auctions without veterinary care -- or being put out of their misery. <a target="_blank" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?" href="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#cc6633" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><strong title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><u title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?">This abuse must not continue.</u></strong></font></a></font></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">The USDA has a presence at slaughter plants, but the animals at auctions and stockyards are in legal limbo. No one is watching at these intermediate locations, and no one is taking responsibility for ensuring humane treatment and that sick animals don't enter the food supply. It's a major gap in oversight, and we need to do better. </font></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Please <a target="_blank" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?" href="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#cc6633" title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><strong title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?"><u title="https://community.hsus.org/campaign/2008_downer_investigation2/ieg563dr076d3mtk?">ask the USDA to act now</u></strong></font></a> to close the loophole that allows some downers to be slaughtered for food, and to require immediate, humane euthanasia of all downers.</font></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Thank you for all you do for animals.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="verdana, arial, sans-serif" color="#000000">Sincerely,<br /> <img border="0" alt="" src="https://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/humane/wayne-sig.gif" /><br /> </font><font size="2" face="verdana, arial,sans-serif" color="#000000">Wayne Pacelle<br /> President  & CEO<br /> The Humane Society of the United States</font></p> Earth Day http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/160 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/160 I love our environment and  consider myself a pretty green person!<br /> <br /> Here's why:<br /> <br /> <ul> <li>In the summer, I dry my clothes on a clothesline.  It's better for the clothing, and for the earth too!</li> <li>I compost all kitchen scraps in a compost bin.  I then use the compost in plantings around the yard.  My dogs love to root around in it !!  It's sooo funny.<br /> </li> <li>I buy local foods in season, organic when possible</li> <li>I recycle all recyclables</li> <li>when washing vegetables, I use a big bowl to catch all the water and water the plants with it.</li> </ul> <u><a href="http://ww2.earthday.net/">Happy Earth</a> </u>Day all!! Law and Order episode on dog fighting http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/77 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/77 Ripped from the headlines, tonight's Law and Order on KCRA 3 is about dog fighting.  I hope these horrible criminals get locked up for good!  Dog fighting - horrible and gross.  Who could do such a thing???<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/pets" title="Pet Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory"><img src="http://www.blogcatalog.com/images/buttons/blogcatalog5.gif" alt="Pet Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory" style="border: 0;" /></a> Raisins and Grapes Can Be Harmful to Dogs http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/34 http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/luvmypit/34 <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">I received a forwarded email authored by an <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state> veterinarian stating that grapes and raisins are poisonous to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure.  I checked and found a similar warning on the </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">ASPCA</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Animal</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Poison</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Control</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s website.<span style="">  </span>This really surprised me.<span style="">  </span>I had no idea that grapes would cause such a reaction in dogs!  Has anyone else heard this?<br /> </p> <p><font size="2" face="verdana, geneva, helvetica"> </font></p>