tracking devices can be dangerous to your pets

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month, and we have been talking about the different substances and items that are dangerous to our pets. I wanted to end this month's series by talking about tracking devices.

Tracking devices are awesome. I had a tracking device braided into my horse's mane, as she was boarded at the time because she's a runner. People put Air Tags in their luggage when traveling because we know how airlines lose our luggage. I still remember an article that showed a women's Air Tag in China, even though she lived and traveled in the states only.

♡ First, I want to share a story by Jennifer M, who had posted on FB about her dog, Oakley, and had given me permission to share her story. Apparently, Oakley had swallowed an Air Tag months previously, but she realized he never passed it, so she took him to her veterinarian for an X-ray to see if it was still in there. Sure enough, the X-ray showed it in the stomach (top middle picture). Oakley had to have major surgery to remove the tracker. Oakley survived, and even the veterinarian was perplexed on why the tracker had not passed. An Air Tag, or any tracking device, can pass safely through a dog's body if it remains intact, in most cases. If the Air Tag breaks apart in your dog's stomach, it definitely becomes more dangerous. 

● Air tags and other tracking devices have a lithium battery inside. If the battery leaks, it can cause caustic substances, which can damage the mouth and stomach, which leads to poisoning 

● Signs & Symptoms:

○ pawing at the mouth

○ vomiting and diarrhea 

○ loss of appetite 

○ constipation 

○ drooling

○ abdominal pain 

○ seizures and/or tremors 

○ fever

○ ataxia (loss of balance)

○ dehydration 

○ excessive peeing

○ excessive thirst 

○ weakness of the body

○ palm gums

○ changes in behavior 

○ ⬆️ ❤️ rate

○ psychomotor agitation (a state of anxiety and restlessness that causes unintentional and repetitive movements)

○ death

● What to do if your pet swallows a tracker:

○ call your vet immediately, who may want to induce vomiting or take X-rays to see where it's floating

● Preventative measures:

○ do not have your tracking device hanging off the collar (bottom right picture of dog)

○ purchase a collar where you can place the device inside the collar itself (the cat in the picture is wearing a correct collar with the secured tracking device)

Tracking devices can be an amazing tool when you have lost a piece of luggage or pet, but it can also become a danger. 

Always have on hand:

● Your veterinarian phone #

● Two important Poison Control Hotline numbers you need to have program in your phone:

Human: 800-222-1222

Animal: ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

● 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (when you are told by your vet or PC to induce vomiting)

#1 RULE: Safety Always

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT, WEMT, and attended the EAMT Academy through the AZ Humane Society & have been teaching over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

March is Poison Prevention Month-Effects of Marijuana on Dogs

We continue our March is Poison Prevention Month Series:

Effects of Marijuana on Dogs 

Marijuana, or cannabis, can have harmful effects on dogs. The psychoactive compound in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can cause a variety of symptoms, including: 

Common Effects: 

● Lethargy

● Dilated pupils

● Incoordination or Ataxia (unbalanced)

● Tremors

● Vomiting and Diarrhea 

● Agitation

● Urinary incontinence

Less Common but Serious Effects: 

● Seizures

● Coma

● Respiratory depression, and Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Symptoms of Overdose: 

● Extreme lethargy

● Loss of consciousness

● Seizures

● Death. 

Risk Factors: 

● Dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans.

● Smaller dogs may be more severely affected.

● Ingestion of marijuana edibles or concentrates can be more dangerous than smoking. 

Treatment: 

If your dog has ingested marijuana, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the Animal Poison Control (numbers listed below)

Treatment may include: 

● Activated charcoal to absorb THC

● Sedation to calm the dog

● Oxygen therapy

● Monitoring for seizures

Prevention: 

● Keep marijuana out of reach of dogs.

● Do not smoke marijuana around dogs.

● Do not give marijuana edibles or treats to dogs. 

Two important Poison Control Hotline numbers you need to have program in your phone:

Human: 800-222-1222

Animal: ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT; WEMT & went through the AHS EAMT Academy. I have been teaching for over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.

PM us your email address & we'll send you our 2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734

March is Poison Prevention Month-Fruit trees

Let's continue our March is Poison Prevention Month series by talking about fruit trees. A lot of us have fruit trees in our yard, but did you know they can be toxic to your pets.

Some trees foliage & leaves can be toxic, but I want to talk about the fruit pits, which are highly toxic to your pets. You see, fruit pits contain cyanide glycosides (amygdalin) inside them, and when your dog eats them, it causes kidney failure and can kill your pet within days.

I had a client that had several fruit trees, and his lab was obsessed with eating the figs that fell on the ground. We'll, you can imagine how much this cause massive amounts of diarrhea and illness. Luckily, for this pup, she lived. The owner had to block the corner of his yard, where his fruit trees were, to prevent his dogs from eating the fallen fruit.

Signs & Symptoms:

● Abdominal pain

● Anorexia

● Breathing problems

● Bright red gums and mucous membranes

● Cardiac arrest

● Coma

● Confusion

● Convulsions (seizures)

● Coughing

● Death

● Dehydration

● Depression

● Diarrhea& vomiting 

● Dilated pupils

● Drooling

● Fever

● Gastrointestinal irritation

● Hyperventilation

● Lethargy

● Panting

● Shivering

● Shock

● Skin irritation

● Swollen abdomen (sometimes hard abdomen)

● Tremors or weakness

If you suspect that your pet has eaten any fruit pits, it's imperative that you get veterinarian help immediately. It could mean life or death for your pet!

Two important Poison Control Hotline numbers you need to have program in your phone:

Human: 800-222-1222

Animal: ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT; WEMT & went through the AHS EAMT Academy. I have been teaching for over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.

PM us your email address & we'll send you our 2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734

March is Poison Prevention Month-Children & Poison

As we continue our March is Poison Prevention Month series, we dive into how children are poisoned each year. 

● Medicines, including pain relievers and vitamins, are the most common cause of poisoning in children. Other common poisons include plants, cleaning products, and household chemicals. 

Common poisons:

●Medicines: Iron pills, vitamins, and over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin and Tylenol 

● Cleaning products: Drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polish, and the famous Tide pods that children & pets thought were candy, thus the reason P&G made the packaging from see-thru containers to not see-thru containers. 

● Plants: Hemlock, oleander, lilies, ivy, pothos, and caladium 

Household chemicals: Gasoline, kerosene, lamp oil, lighter fluid, paint thinners and removers, and motor oil 

● Other poisons: Pesticides, cosmetics, antifreeze, windshield washer solution, and batteries 

How poisonings happen:

● Children are curious and don't know what's safe to eat or drink 

● Many poisons can be found in the home, including medicine cabinets, handbags, and plants 

● Even small amounts of many poisons can harm children 

Treatment:

Most people are not permanently harmed if they are treated right away. Poison control centers get more than 1 million calls about accidental poisonings of children ages 5 and younger each year. 

Two important Poison Control Hotline numbers you need to have program in your phone:

Human: 800-222-1222

Animal: ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT; WEMT & went through the AHS EAMT Academy. I have been teaching for over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.

PM us your email address & we'll send you our 2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734