Human * Equine * Pet CPR and First Aid Training : November 2024

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Ladies...what is lurking in your purse that is poisonous to your dogs?

It is very important that we keep all prescription & OTC drugs away from our pets, as we do our children. Most of us are very cautious keeping harmful items away from our children, such as child-proofing our home, but what about your counter area where dogs can jump and reach a bottle of aspirin or a prescription bottle? Pets are curious when it comes to stuff in our home. A dog, for example, may grab a bottle of prescription pills from the counter and, before you know it, has chewed the cap off and swallowed the pills inside.

Ladies, what about your purse? You may keep it away from your child, but what about your curious dog who starts to investigate the items inside. These are the most common items that are poisonous to your pets found in a purse:

● OTC Drugs

● Prescription Drugs

● Hand Sanitizer (Alcohol content is very high)

● Cigarettes (nicotine)

● Birth Control Packet

● Asthma Inhaler

● Sugar-free gum (contains Xylitol)

It's better to be safe by hanging up your purse or putting it out of reach of your pets and children. If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous item from your purse, it's very important to know what item it is before contacting your vet or the pet poison hotline. For example, you noticed that your purse is on the ground with the contents scattered about. You find a bottle of OTC medicine (Ibuprofen), and the top chewed off. You're not sure how many pills were inside, but you notice your dog not acting right (depressed, ataxia, vomiting, etc). The more information you have, the better that they can help you treat your pet.

Always have on hand:

● Your veterinarian phone #

● Pet Poison Hotline 1-800-213-6680 (there is a cost for this service, but includes consultation and all follow-up calls regarding the current situation).

● 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; EAMT; WEMT & have been teaching 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 2024-2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734

Human:

http://www.heartsandwounds.com

Equine & Pet:

http://www.comfypetsofaz.com

Friday, November 15, 2024

Rawhides are a danger to your pooch 🐕

Giving your dog a Rawhide can turn disastrous for your dog.

As a retired petsitter, for 25 years, I have witnessed what rawhide can do to a pet, including killing them due to choking or blockages in the gut.

We strive to provide the best for our furry friends, but sometimes, what seems like a harmless treat can hide potential dangers. There have been documented cases of dogs with pieces of rawhide lodged in their windpipe, stomach, or intestines, creating choking hazards and an intestinal blockage, gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting or diarrhea, can occur if rawhide irritates the digestive tract . Since rawhide is a byproduct of leather, some items pose a significant challenge to a dog’s digestive system when it comes to breaking down.

During the manufacturing process, rawhide is often soaked in a cocktail of chemicals to preserve it and enhance its flavor. These chemicals can include formaldehyde or chromium salts, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach, which may pose risks to adult dogs and young puppies alike.

Safer alternatives like completely digestible Himalayan yak chews, dehydrated sweet potato chews, or any of the all meat jerky treats would be much better than a rawhide. Better yet, visit your local pet store that offers alternative treats for your pooch.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

What mystery item in your house is Toxic to your Cat????

It's that time of year, where we're excited to put out our Christmas decorations, but did you know that there is an item in your decorations that is actually quite toxic to your cats. Are you glancing around the room trying to locate an item that you never thought would harm your cat(s) in a hundred years? Have I piqued your interest yet? Give up? Snow globes are toxic to your cats.

I am sure you’re thinking that I don’t have a clue what I am talking about because surely the snow globe that is sitting on your dresser can’t be harmful. Well, my friend, you are wrong.

You see, snow globes contain ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) to prevent freezing during shipping. Most snow globes are imported from China. So, I am sure you’re thinking about how the snow globe that is sitting quietly on your dresser, can’t be hurting your cat. True, but what happens if your cat, like so many other cats, jumps on top of the dresser and knocks over the snow globe and it breaks? All of a sudden, your cat jumps off the dresser and investigates the broken item. His paws walked through the wetness, and he rolls in it as well. What is the #1 thing the cat loves to do? Clean themselves, so now the cat is licking his paws and not only ingesting the anti-freeze but it’s seeping into his system from the wetness on his skin. Your cat has just been poisoned by Anti-freeze.

Anti-freeze poison makes the kidneys start to crystallize. In nine hours, the damage to the kidneys is irreversible.

Signs/Symptoms of Anti-Freeze Poisoning

● Overly affectionate

● Ataxia (loss of balance—think of a cat being drunk)

Remember, if your cat shows any of the signs and symptoms above and you own a snow globe, it’s very important that you rush your cat to the veterinarian immediately. In fact, I highly suggest you put your snow globe collection behind glass, so your kitty cat can not get to them. Trust me, if you have ever dealt with a cat with anti-freeze poisoning, it’s not worth watching in horror the pain and suffering your cat will go through.