[nagdu] With Snow on the Way, Fidelco Says Don't Forget Pets in Storm Preparations

Thu Jan 2 18:07:09 UTC 2014

This article offers great advice about preventing dogs from getting
into poisons and about winter safety.
I have to disagree with 2 things here though.
1. when it comes to temperature, use your dog as a guide. If you
notice your dog shivering, huddling up, or dancing around on the cold
pavement, then yes, by all means get them a jacket or coat and try to
work inside as much as possible. If your dog is like mine, and
absolutely loves the cold weather and would sit, work, and play out in
it seemingly for hours, then you have nothing to worry about as far as
the temperature itself.
2. there is no point to giving heartworm, and flea and tick
preventives during cold weather. Heartworm comes from mosquitoes. Like
mosquitoes, fleas and ticks are bugs that thrive in warm, humid
temperatures.
Here in West Michigan It's cold from mid-October to mid-may.
Mosquitoes ain't livin' and fleas and ticks cain't thrive when the
temperature never rises above 50dg for more than a day. So if you live
in areas where temperatures are frigid, these bugs are not a problem,
no question.
Insect preventives are poisons that kill bugs. If they poison bugs,
they poison our dogs. Why would you give your dog more of the poison
than is necessary? Would you spray your house down with Raid if there
wasn't a chance of ants coming around? I wouldn't think so. So for the
sake of your dog's health, don't give them the poison if what it is
supposed to kill is not even present.
Now this is a personal choice, but I do not give preventives during
cold weather. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes need heat and humidity in
order to survive. I only have one dog, and I also clean more
frequently than most people. I vacuum my apartment every three or four
days, and I vacuum all the furniture that my dog lays on once a week.
I wash the coverings of my dog's bed, crate pad, and the couch
cushions every two weeks.
Also, I rub down my dog with cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil about
once every week or two. I rub the oil in up from his tail to his head,
and up from his paws to his shoulders. I comb and brush this through.
Adding lavender oil helps as well. This treatment moisturizes the skin
and naturally repels fleas without poisoning your dog.

Here are several links to eliminate the hype about fleas, ticks, and heart worm.
fleas and ticks:
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/non-toxic-flea-and-tick-control/
heartworms
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/heartworm-medication-part-2/
spot-on solutions/poisons
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/poisoning-fleas-pets-and-kids/

On 1/2/14, Ginger Kutsch <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com> wrote:
> With Snow on the Way, Fidelco Says Don't Forget Pets in Storm Preparations
>
> Life - The Litchfield County Times
>
> http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2014/01/02/life/doc52c57792639a615514214
> 6.txt?viewmode=fullstory
>
>
>
> BLOOMFIELD, Conn. - Winter weather isn't just hazardous to people, it's
> dangerous for our pets, too! As Connecticut braces for a winter wallop, Dr.
> RuthAnn Solomon DVM, Director of Animal Medicine at the Fidelco Guide Dog
> Foundation wants residents to remember these key points to keep their pets
> warm and safe. By planning ahead of the storm, pets and people will be
> properly prepared!
>
>
>
> DURING THE STORM
>
>
>
> Keep your pets inside! All pets need shelter and insulation from the cold.
> Cats and dogs may wear fur coats but they aren't equipped to be out in
> freezing temperatures for long periods of time. Domesticated animals are
> not
> adapted to the cold like wolves or bobcats. Bottom line- if it's too cold
> for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet.
>
>
>
> If you absolutely must keep an animal outside, be certain it has an
> insulated shelter, access to plenty of fresh (not frozen) water and
> increase
> their food to two times normal serving, e.g., if they get one cup of kibble
> per meal, give them two cups for that meal. A pet's energy requirements
> increase to maintain body temperature (shivering for example) and those
> living in a very cold climate have a greater caloric need just to stay warm
> than the average dog that lives indoors.
>
>
>
> If you need to go outside during the storm, limit exposure and make sure
> your dog is on a leash and wearing an ID tag. During heavy snowfall, they
> can lose their scent and become lost. More dogs get lost during winter than
> any other time of year.
>
>
>
> Keep candles, heat lamps and space heaters away from pets, children and
> flammable materials. These are all burn and fire hazards. Inspect any pet
> heating blankets or pads for frays or exposed wires, and never leave a pet
> unattended with such a device.
>
>
>
> For those that use Duraflame logs, those logs are actually sawdust pulled
> together with wax. Those two ingredients make for an attractive snack for
> dogs! Duraflame log ingestion will usually just cause mild gastric upset;
> however the problem arises when the dog eats a big piece which could cause
> an intestinal obstruction. So please leave these logs of convenience well
> out of reach of your pets.
>
>
>
> AFTER THE STORM
>
>
>
> Protect those paws! Ice and snow can easily collect between paw pads. Check
> your dog's feet periodically, especially if they are limping or walking
> awkwardly.
>
>
>
> Keep dogs off the ice and away from frozen bodies of water. Thin ice poses
> a
> grave danger for pets and humans alike, and even a walk on an icy sidewalk
> puts your pet at risk of injuries like torn ligaments and footpads.
>
>
>
> Salt, antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and chemical de-icers on roads and
> sidewalks are dangerous for your pet. Dogs that lick their paws or fur and
> ingest these substances can become ill. Wipe your pup's paws, legs and
> stomach with a warm, wet washcloth after walks and outdoor playtime.
>
>
>
> Speaking of antifreeze, there are two commercial products available in the
> US that have a "safer" chemical (propylene glycol) in them: Sierra and
> LowTox. However, just because they are safer does not mean that they are
> non-toxic! For example, it would only take ONE teaspoon of ethylene glycol
> antifreeze (more dangerous form) to be deadly to a 7lb cat. It would take
> several ounces of the safer form to be a problem.
>
>
>
> REMEMBER
>
>
>
> Take extra care with puppies and older dogs, especially those with
> arthritis. Wet, cold weather can worsen arthritis symptoms. Do not leave
> young, old or sick dogs outside unattended at any time.
>
>
>
> Certain medical conditions like diabetes can affect your pet's ability to
> regulate body temperature. Check with your veterinarian.
>
>
>
> Further, winter does not necessarily mean the end of bug season. Likewise,
> winter does not mean you should stop giving heartworm, flea, and tick
> preventatives to your cherished companions. As the old saying goes: It is
> better to be safe than sorry and continuous use of these preventatives is
> the simplest act you can make to keep your pet safe.
>
>
>
> Lastly, have the following numbers programmed into your charged cell phone:
>
>
>
> -Your veterinarian
>
>
>
> -Local animal emergency clinic
>
>
>
> -Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
>
>
>
> -ASPCA Poison Control (1-888-426-4435)
>
>
>
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-- 
Raven