texas dogs and cats august 2013
DESCRIPTION
Animal lovers magazine for Houston, TexasTRANSCRIPT
d gsTexas &catsAugust 2013HOUSTON
AFTER THEHURRICANE
HURRICANE WITH PETS
weathering a
and your pet
take flight
SECONDHAND
SMOKE
DOCKDOGS®
Cypress VCA Telge RoAd AnimAl HospiTAl11430 Telge RoadCypress, TX 77429281-671-0776VCAtelgeroad.com
Houston VCA AsHfoRd
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Houston VCA CounTRysideAnimAl HospiTAl2211 FM 1960 EastHouston, TX 77073281-301-0619
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Houston VCA spRing BRAnCH
AnimAl HospiTAl10109 Long Point Road
Houston, TX 77043713-428-2200
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Katy VCA Kelliwood
AnimAl HospiTAl960 S. Fry RoadKaty, TX 77450
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Kingwood VCA Kingwood
AnimAl HospiTAl2526 Green Oak DriveKingwood, TX 77339
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Lake Jackson VCA lAKe JACKson AnimAl HospiTAl
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Pasadena VCA AnimAl mediCAlCenTeR of pAsAdenA
5018A Fairmont ParkwayPasadena, TX 77505
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Sugar LandVCA souTHwesT fReewAy
AnimAl HospiTAl15575 SW Freeway
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Spring VCA spRing
AnimAl HospiTAl1811 Spring Cypress
Spring, TX 77388832-510-6196VCAspring.com
Spring/WoodlandsVCA woodlAnds AnimAl HospiTAl428 Rayford RoadSpring, TX 77386832-510-6197
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Texas City, VCA mAinlAnd
AnimAl HospiTAl3015 Palmer HighwayTexas City, TX 77590
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Tomball VCA TomBAll
VeTeRinARy HospiTAl28800 Tomball PkwyTomball, TX 77375281-305-9518 VCAtomball.com
Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals. • Animal Healthcare of Texas, PC. - Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner.
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Weathering aHurricane with Pets
Puppy 101
Centerstage
Enough!
Konnerly and Allie PresentHurricane Facts
{contents}
4
8Hurricane Season
When Should I Get A New Pet?
COVE
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22Weathering aHurricane with Pets
Second Hand Smokeand Your Pet
Dockdogs® Take Flight
Marketplace
Back to School & Pets
PUBLISHERShannan Parker
Tel: 281.781.4727
EDITORTiffany Robinson
DESIGNERFran Sherman
314.275.2208
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSTricia Fagan
Monica Schmidt
Texas A&M
Nadine Joli-Coeur
Amy Kelley
Dr. Christie Cornelius
Connie G.
PHOTOGRAPHERSonia Sellers Photography
After the Hurricane
ADVERTISE WITH US!281.781.4727 • [email protected]
Next Issue: August 2013Advertiser’s Deadline: July 15th 2013
Dougie Deogi, Rescue Reporter
Spotted by the Pupperazzi
201030
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We have all watched all of the news reports of how dangerous hurricanes can truly be, and, if you are like most of us Houstonians, you have probably expe-rienced at least one in your life time! Because we live in the gulf, we have got
to be prepared for the worse, which includes safety of our family (two and four legged!) This safety plan takes some time and effort, and there are things that you need to do well in advance.
in the midst ofhurricaneseasonUnlike humans, pets are not
allowed into every situation (restaurants, hotels, etc), and, even when they are, you typi-cally have to show much more documentation to “pass through security”, so making sure you are prepared ahead of time is paramount!
Things to do in advance:Make sure you have your
animals used to a crate. For the most part, keeping your pet in a crate during a disaster is the best way to keep them safe, se-cure, and controlled. Even the most well trained dog can act very differently in an unknown situation.
Confirm that all vaccinations
are current on your pet. Please keep in mind that a board-ing facility or veterinary clinic may be where they would end up staying for a few days, and many of these facilities require different vaccinations than you may be used to (Canine Influ-enza, bordetella, Leptospirosis, etc). Hotels may require them to be up to date on certain vac-cinations as well. Better to be safe than sorry!
This is also the time to con-firm your pet is microchipped AND that all of your informa-tion is current in their database. Has anything changed? If so, either call or go online to update it. While you are work-ing on this, also make sure that
your pet’s tags are all current and securely fastened to a collar that is in good shape. If not, get new ones!
Put together a HURRI-CANE SAFETY KIT for both you and your pets. For the pet kit, here are some ideas on what to include:• Leash and extra collar• All vaccinations, veterinarian in-
formation, and emergency clinic information
• Bowls• Food and medications, for at least
one week (sealed in zip lock bag)• Favorite blankets, toys, and towels• Recent photos of your pets
Stay safe and be prepared!
{pet
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BY A
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when should I get a
BY CHRISTIE CORNELIUS, DVM, LAST WISHES IN-HOME PET HOSPICE, HOUSTON, TX
L illy owned a pet boutique downtown. She took her golden retriever, Hank, to work with her every day so he could greet and socialize with her customers. After 9 years together, Hank was diagnosed with end-stage lymphoma, and Lilly made the brave
decision to end his suffering after he became ill. Almost a year after Hank’s passing, Lilly said, “Sometimes I think I’m ready to get another dog, but then I feel like it would be an act of disloyalty to let another dog take Hank’s place.”
Like Lilly, many people don’t know if or when to get another pet. The answer is neither simple nor similar in any case. The situation can be more complicated when children and other family members are involved, or if an exist-ing pet in the home is ill or stressed.
Deciding whether or not to adopt a new pet after a much-loved com-panion has died is difficult
for most people. Naturally, many individuals have an impulse to immediately “replace” a pet they’ve lost in order to fill an emo-tional and physical void created by the initial loss. Adopting a new pet may make us feel good in the moment, but what hap-pens when we realize that this new pet is nothing like our other companion?
It is important to try not to rush to a decision
until you have time to sort out your feelings. Fam-ily and friends who mean well may suggest a new pet to provide you comfort and support. Although adopting a new pet may help you heal, be sure to allow yourself enough time to grieve the loss of your beloved companion.
Before you or your fam-ily adopts a new pet after a loss, ask yourself the following:
newpet?
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1. Why do I want to adopt a new pet? What do I hope this pet will provide for me?
2. Does the rest of the fam-ily agree with the decision, or are there differences? How do the children in the family feel about adopting a new pet? It’s common for children to push parents for a new pet right away, but it’s impor-tant for them to realize that we simply cannot replace loved ones.
3. Do I have enough time, energy, and financial resources to give to a new pet? Am I ready for the challenges a young or new pet may bring? Will the new pet integrate well with other existing pets?
If, after some time and thought, you are still hav-ing a hard time deciding whether or not to adopt a new pet, consider be-coming a “foster parent”. By fostering an animal through a local humane society or rescue group, you’ll provide temporary housing for an orphaned pet that is awaiting per-manent adoption. You’ll provide a necessary service while testing your own readiness without a long-term commitment.
Some people are uncer-tain if they should ever get another pet because “it would hurt too much to experience that type of loss all over again”. Unfortu-nately, grief is the price we pay for having loved.
However, through all the grief we must remember that we loved a particular animal dearly and that love was returned a hundred times over. There are so many animals living in shelters who need the kind of loving home you so willingly provided for your companion.
Additional resources can be found on Last Wishes In-Home Pet Hospice and Euthanasia’s home page under the “Pet Loss Support” tab. You may also contact Dr. Christie Cornelius at [email protected] if you or someone you know is struggling with this decision and is in need of guidance.
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After the Storm
It’s time to assess the situation and see what needs to be done over the next few days and weeks. In this time of recovery, it’s important to remember that humans are not the only ones that are affected, and there are a number of issues to consider when
dealing with animals after a storm.
Secure the environmentRemember that pets can
become disoriented after an event like a hurricane. Never leave a pet tied outside during, or follow-ing, stormy weather, even if
After hours, or perhaps even a day or two, of winds so high the house creaks and groans, and rain so hard it slams into the windows,
it looks like the storm has finally passed: the winds have slowed to a tropical breeze, the rain is no lon-ger coming in sheets, and it looks like you might be able to release the breath you’ve been holding.
petshurricane{pet
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weathering a
with your
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BY C
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it has a dog house or some other unsecured shelter. Keep them in the house with you, if possible in the same room as you; it will certainly help with their anxiety, and may help yours, as well! Try to help make them as comfort-able as possible with blankets and their carriers if necessary until things are more normal.
Do not let pets roam free; walk dogs on a leash until they become reoriented to their home. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone making a pet anxious and unsure. Pets can easily get lost in such a situation.
Set up a safe area outside for elimination.
Check your fence line care-fully. High winds may have knocked down or created gaps in the fence which will need re-pair before allowing your pet to roam freely outside. If the fence
is not secure, use an exercise pen or other enclosure to create a safe spot, free from debris and standing water, for them to use.
Remember that rising water may have brought “visitors” to your yard, including snakes and other wildlife. Be sure you have no guests before allowing your pet free access to the yard.
Protect their food and waterDo not let pets drink from
standing water. It may contain sewage, chemicals or parasites left behind by the storm.
Animals should not be al-lowed to consume food or water which may have become con-taminated. If you won’t drink it, your pet shouldn’t either.
Reassure the petBe patient with pets after a
hurricane. Remember that they are just as upset and disconcert-
ed by the damage, lack of elec-tricity and air conditioning, as well as changes in their routine, as you are. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible and be ready for behavioral problems that may result from the stressful situa-tion. Monitor their behavior - after a disaster, even easygoing pets may become aggressive or defensive. Monitor their health issues - dogs may refuse to eat, or cats may forget their litterbox routine. If behavioral problems persist, or if a pet seems to be having health problems, consult a veterinarian.
Our pets are our constant and faithful companions. Even un-der stress, we need to remember to be more than “fair weather friends” to them!
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Emergency Services Routine Visits
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complimentary doctor’s exam
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sunsetblvdanimalclinic.com 713-574-6377
Sunset BoulevardANIMAL CLINIC
14 d gsTexas &cats
While you have had enough, and are very frustrated, the puppy might also be (forgive me) at the end of his leash. Alone all day, crated night and day, scolded for bodily functions, punished for the perfectly natural behavior of chewing, yelled at for mouthing your family members, the puppy might be acting out his frustrations.
If your puppy does not get enough exercise, enough social interaction, enough play time, he will be
. . . HORRIBLE! Your puppy needs a walk everyday. After all, how crazy
would you be if you never left the house and yard? For
young puppies, the walk can be
very short, but should
occur daily. Even if you are tired, even if
you are busy. You can walk the dog yourself, or hire a dog
walker to do it for you. Pup-pies need to have social interaction with you and other family mem-bers each day. The younger your puppy, the more time you must spend with him. You can sub-stitute doggy day care for a small
amount of social time. Doggy day-care should provide supervised interaction with other canines and the human staff. Scolding your puppy for nor-
mal puppy behaviors (ok, undesir-able, but normal) might make you
feel better – momentarily – but will greatly increase your puppy’s frustration, and thus amplify his naughty behavior. Puppy eliminates in the house? Take him outside more often. If you punish for eliminating in the house, the puppy will learn to be sneaky. Puppy nips your fingers and hands? Keep your fingers and hands away from the puppy’s mouth. Use big toys for the puppy to bite, while he avoids your hands. When your puppy chews things you would rather keep in one piece, provide him with an appropri-ate chewing object.
It takes time and effort to raise a puppy. It takes LOTS of patience to raise a puppy. Be prepared to guide your puppy with kindness and gentleness. Yelling and throwing things will not help your puppy chose the correct behavior, it will only make him afraid to
be a dog.
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BY T
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Tricia FaganCertified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge AssessedDogS Gone [email protected](713) 557-1949
If your puppy does not get enough exercise, enough social interaction, enough play time, he will be . . . HORRIBLE!
Enough! I often hear from puppy owners who are
frustrated with their puppies. The nip-ping, the chewing, the barking, the cry-ing (er, the puppy’s), eliminating in the
house; sometimes it is all too much. How can you stop it? How do you make your – barely – beloved family member behave tol-erably? Sometimes it is helpful to view the world from anoth-er point of view, in this case, the puppy’s.
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Hurricanes are called differ-ent names
depending on where they from.
• Hurricanes are called different names depending on where they form. If the storm forms over the Northwest Pacific Ocean it is called a Typhoon, over the Atlantic Ocean it is a Hurricane and if it forms over the South Pacific and Indian oceans it is a Cyclone.
• Tropical cyclones began receiv-ing names in 1950. There are 21 names for each year and unless a storm name is retired the list repeats every 7th year. Names are often representative of the areas they will impact. Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Rita hit American coasts while Typhoons Isewan and Kanogawa hit Japan.
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• Hurricane Katrina which hit in 2005, was the most expensive storm in U.S. history, causing an estimated $47.424 Billion in damage. Andrew in 1992 was the seconds at an estimated $23.349 Billion and Sandy in 2012 caused $18.750 Billion in damage.
• Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is akin to a hurricane. The storm is so large that 3 Earths could fit inside it!
• The most deadly hurricane in history occurred on Sept 8, 1900 in Galveston.
• In the Northern hemisphere, hurricane winds blow counterclockwise toward the center of the storm. In the South-ern hemisphere they turn clockwise.
• The word hurricane comes from the Taino Native American word, hurucane, meaning evil spirit of the wind
• In 1893, a hurricane made a direct hit on New York City. Hog Island which was located off the Southern Coast of the Rockaways was wiped out. It is be-lieved to be the only reported incident in history where a hurricane removed an entire island.
ssssssnake
bite!
!
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BY M
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The month of August doesn’t just mean oppressive heat in Houston. It is also time for back to school! You’ve probably been busy shopping for clothes and school supplies, but have you thought about how back to
school might affect your pet?
and your pet
backtoschool
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After a summer full of fun, an empty and quiet home could be a difficult adjustment for your pets. It’s the change in routine your pet will be most affected by. It’s quite common for your dog or cat to become depressed and even mope around a bit when their routine is altered. With some careful planning you can help ease the transition for your dogs and cats.
Begin by giving your companion animal some “alone time” BEFORE the kids head back to school. This means separating your kids from your pets for a little while each day for a week or two before school starts. It will work even better if you can get your pet used to you leaving in the early mornings. Consider having your kids carry their new backpack or lunch kit with them so your pet gets used to those items as a visual clue you’ll be heading out for the day. When you leave, be quiet and low-key. Making a produc-tion of your departure could add even more stress to your pooch. A simple “See you later” will suffice.
Leave some interactive toys for your pet. This will help keep him or her from getting bored while home alone. Look for sturdy toys that aren’t easily destroyed. There is a large selection of toys on the market that allow you to fill them with treats - giving your dog or cat something to keep them busy and occupied while you are away. Check out Kong toys or puzzle toys to get started. If your dog seems upset and anxious when the kids leave, give your pet a blanket or t-shirt that has your kid’s scent on it. The familiar smell may calm Fido down and give him something to cuddle with while everyone is away.
Separation anxiety is common in dogs - especially during back to school time. Dogs can become stressed, which may lead to destructive behavior. You may want to consider confining your dog to a small laundry room or crate while you are away. If your pet has not been crate trained, don’t
start on the day the kids go back to school. Your dog will need time to adjust to the crate and shouldn’t be left alone for more than 9 hours (for adults) or 6 hours (for puppies). Work up to a full day of crating by starting now. Put your pet in the crate while you take a small trip, perhaps to the grocery store or the bank. Slowly work your way up to a full day over time. Be sure to give extra rewards (verbal praise or treats will work) each time they go in the crate. When you get home, let them out of the crate and head outside to help reinforce housetraining. You can also try leaving a TV or radio on during the day to help soothe your pet.
Ask your kids to spend some quality time with their pet when they return home from school. This could be a simple walk around the block, playing in the backyard or even having children read and share their homework with the family pet. Time is key! With a little time and patience, everyone will fall into their school routine, including your pets! Join Houston Humane Society for a Bark to School special event on August 24th. Visit www.houstonhumane.org for more information.
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BY N
AD
INE
JOLI
-CO
EUR This issue of Texas
Cats and Dogs is about hurricane
preparedness. Having already done a past ar-ticle on how to prepare your pet for a hurricane, I wanted to do some-thing a little different. What happens if there is a hurricane? Do you stay in town, or do you seek shelter elsewhere? Chances are your daily routine will be affected and changes to any routine can affect your family pets
after
1. SAFETYA Hurricane can be a
very traumatic event for humans and it is equally (or more) traumatic for your pets. In this time of need, you may end up staying with family and friends. It is a good idea to make sure you have a ken-nel for your pets. A kennel
or crate can serve as an artificial den for your pets. When provided with a pad or towel to rest on (and a familiar toy or chew), it can become a place of comfort and security. If you have a cat, make sure that the kennel is much larger than your cat, and be sure to place something
raised inside one of the corners so that they can sit higher up. In addi-tion to keeping them safe, your hosts may appreci-ate that they do not have pets running around their house. Do not leave them in their kennel for longer than 6 hours during the day. When they are not
the hurricane
21{August 2013} 21
in their kennels make sure you have them close by for a feeling of security.
2. STRESSAs with humans, pets
can get stressed which can result in some serious medical consequences. Pets cannot vocalize their stress and they do not know that eventually stressful envi-ronments will pass. When a pet gets stressed, mes-sages are sent to various organs in the body to pro-duce certain results – the heart quickens, they start to pant and lick their lips, they quiver and shake, their eyes get ‘glazed’ and they seem to be in a fearful trance-like state. It is espe-cially dangerous for a pet to feel stressed. They have been known to resort to desperate measures to get away from the perceived danger – as they would do in nature during the ‘fight or flight response.’ In addition, if your pet stops eating or has a big change in bowel move-ments, it may be a sign of high stress. There are many natural solutions and remedies to help soothe the nervous system, such as bach rescue remedy, natural essential oils, or a thunder shirt. For dogs that really enjoy to chew, give them something to chew on. This will help them focus that nervous energy elsewhere to help dissipate it.
3. FOOD AND TREATS
Always have a spare bag of your pet’s food. It is not
a good idea to make large changes in diet, especially in this type of situation. Fast changes to diet can cause diarrhea. If you need to get food, try to get a food that is close to their current diet. Always manage the transition by mixing the old diet with the new diet over a 5 day process. If you are com-pletely out, offer you pet a smaller meal more often so that their digestive system has a chance to adapt. It is always a good idea to have a couple of cans of pumpkin if your dogs or cats have any bowel issues.
Using their treats to play some games can also help them reduce stress and pass the time. It can be as simple as hiding pieces of kibble or working on recall drills. I found some good games on the link below - “8 fun games to play with your dog”
Remember, your pet will feed off any stress that you may be experiencing. It is important to manage your stress (for your own health as well) and reassure your pet that everything will be okay.
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Furr-tastic or flea infested! The Pupperazzi is on the scene and has your tail covered!
reliantdogshowY et again the Reliant Dog Show wowed the crowds
with its 34th annual dog show. From breed judging and obedience, to flyball and agility competitions. There was something for everyone!
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reliantdogshow
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Deogi Dougie
Rescue Reporter
“Yo!” “Sup?”Yes, it’s me, Dougie Deogi,
rescue reporter, with a very important message….
As you know, I run a rescue group. Yes, I do. I’m the one in charge and I tell everyone, including my CRAZY LADY owner, what to do.
{dou
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25{August 2013} 2525
6434 Washington AvenueHouston, TX 77007
Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and
Obedience Training
So, this weekend, I was at the Reliant Dog Show. I was just minding my own business, getting publicity photos done at the magazine booth, when this lady came up to me and was all excited to tell me she just rescued a 10 week old shih tzu puppy that looked just like me.
Then she went on to tell me that she had gone to a breeder to buy a puppy and the conditions were horrible. The puppies were full of fleas and there were at least 45 puppies all crammed into one room in her house. And it smelled like a sewer.
She went on to tell me she KNEW it was a horrible breeder and she shouldn’t buy a puppy from them but she just couldn’t leave a puppy in that place. So she gave the breeder $350 for a 10 week old, flea infested puppy.
PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE!What are you doing? YOU ARE THE REASON
THESE BREEDERS CONTINUE TO PRODUCE PUPPIES!!
NO, you did NOT rescue a puppy. You bought another THREE years of misery for the mommy of that puppy. Yes, you just paid for three years of the crappy discount-store food they feed the mommy.
No, you did NOT rescue a puppy. You just gave that low life the money to go buy another “breeding mother” dog and put her into that life of horror.
No, you did NOT rescue a puppy. You just gave that breeder the incentive to keep breeding and YOU can take credit for the next “crop” of puppies that are born at that house.
PEOPLE! STOP ALREADY.If you are a serious animal lover or simply someone that
thinks we should respect all of God’s creatures, STOP buying puppies from bad breeders. And, frankly, the only breeders you’ll see selling puppies like this are BAD BREEDERS.
These people are low life people who would rather make money off a little dog’s misery than go out and get a real job! It’s a passive way to make a living – not much work other than sticking buckets of food and water in with them every day.
Every single time you buy a puppy from a breeder or a petshop, you are encouraging them and the other low-lifes to keep it up. It’s the law of supply and demand. As long as there is a demand(YOU), these breeders will continue to “manufacture” puppies.
So STOP already. Is it so important to you to get a puppy that you’ll put aside all integrity and good sense?
Ok, off soap box.Dougie Deogi, rescue reporter, over and out.
Dougie is the official spokes dog for Lone Star Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue(www.facebook.com/LSSTLAR). You can email him at [email protected]. You can see his antics on his facebook page, www.facebook.com/accordingto-dougie.
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Man’s best friend takes flight for
for a
What’s furry, friendly and can fly across water? The answer can be found at DockDogs®, a high-flying canine aquatics competition making a splash as it returns to Houston’s urban park, Discovery Green, September 27-29.
A three-day, dog and family-friendly expo, DockDogs® show-cases four-legged athletes from Texas and beyond as they compete in high-jump, long-jump and speed retrieve events. Think Olympics, but for dogs, as they leap as high as 24 feet in length. Be prepared as you would at Sea World; there is defi-nitely a splash zone as pups plunge into a 40-foot pool of water!
DockDogs® WorldWide travels the globe bringing this high-energy competition to dog lovers of all types. Anyone with a dog and fetch toy can participate in the festivi-ties and some lucky dogs and their
masters go home as champions. If you got a pooch that loves to jump, bring your four-legged friend to participate in the high-flying events as public announcers broadcast the games to the thousands of specta-tors who come out for the free and fun festival. Both dogs and owners can watch the sport from bleacher seats, peruse the pet-friendly vendors on-site and have a laugh at thedog costume contest. Enjoy dog training demonstrations, appear-ances by Clifford, Biscuit and Poky the puppy, and animal adoptions covering the 12-acre, always pet-friendly park nestled in the heart
of downtown Houston. A family friendly event, DockDogs® is just one of the over 400 events Discov-ery Green produces for Houstonians each year!
The Set-UpA 20-foot dock and 40-foot pool
is set up across the Jones Lawn at Discovery Green for the main com-petitions. “Handlers” can register your pup in one of five competi-tions: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, Speed Retrieve and the Haute Dog Costume Contest. Big Air, the original and most popular Dock-Dogs® event, judges the distance a
PHOTOS COURTESY KATYA HORNER
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dog can jump from the dock into the water. Extreme Vertical is the “high jump” for dogs, with markers placed above the water’s surface, contestants are given chances to reach this high-est points. The newest event, Speed Retrieve, puts dogs against the clock to swim the span of the pool, retrieve an object and make their way back to
the dock. Or if your pup is looking for more flare and less sweat, the Haute Dog Costume Contest taking place on Saturday, September 28 at 3 p.m. has a number of categories that require a well-stocked doggy ward-robe.
How to EnterAnyone can enter
but you’ll want to reserve your spot early through online pre-registration. There is no age limit for handlers and any size, age, and
breed of dog may enter. Registration fees apply to compete in the Dock-Dogs® high-jump, long-jump and speed retrieve events. Pre-registra-tion fees are $25.00/team per Big Air, Speed Retrieve Wave, or Extreme Vertical Competition. Limited onsite registration is available at the start of each day and fees apply. Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney Street in Houston, Texas. Please call 713-400-7336 for more information. For information on how to enter, visit http://www.discoverygreen.com/dockdogs/.
27{August 2013}
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and your petsecondhandsmokeWe all know that smoking is bad for our health, but
what might surprise many pet-owners are the dangerous effects that same smoke can have on
their four-legged loved ones after some time.
“There are studies that show that dogs exposed to large amounts of second-hand smoke have significant changes to their lung tissue over time,” said Heather Wilson-Robles, assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science (CVM). “These changes range from fibrosis, or scarring of the lung tissue to precancerous and even cancerous lesions.”
A case report published in 2012 showed a cat de-veloping a tracheal carcinoma after being exposed to large amounts of second-hand smoke in the home, and another study in 2002, published by the group at Tufts, showed that second hand smoke may double the risk of lymphoma development in cats.
Many veterinarians also feel that symptoms in their patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis improve if the owner’s quit smoking. For those that do smoke, there are a few ways to tell if your habit is affecting your pet’s health.
“For animals with asthma, allergic lung disease, or bronchitis you might see a dry hacking and progres-sive cough,” said Wilson-Robles. “Asthma patients may have more frequent asthma attacks and their symptoms may be more difficult to manage medically. Animals with allergic lung disease will often have more severe symptoms if they live in a smoking household and these symptoms may persist all year round rather than being seasonal.”
Disposing of your tobacco may also prove hazardous to the wellbeing of your pet if they tend to be nosy or like to dig in the trash. “Ingestion of tobacco products may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diar-rhea, drooling, increased salivation and trembling,” said Wilson-Robles. “High doses of nicotine may lead to ex-citement, constricted pupils, odd behavior, seizures and even death. Cigarette butts are especially dangerous as they contain 25% of the nicotine found in the cigarette.”
While the most efficient way to treat second-hand tobacco problems with your pet is for the owner to quit using the substance, there are other ways to keep your pet safe and keep your habit.
“Pet-owners need to immediately quit smoking around the animal and wash their hands thoroughly after smoking before touching the pet or anything it may come in contact with,” said Wilson-Robles. “If your dog or cat eats a cigarette, chewing tobacco, cigar, etc. call an emergency clinic nearby for directions on how to treat this toxicosis. In most cases the tobacco will induce vomiting by itself, but if not vomiting should be induced to clean the stomach out and prevent systemic and possibly even lethal nicotine toxicosis.”
If you believe your pet is suffering from tobacco-related issues of any kind schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian immediately.
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM TEXAS A&M
Sunday: 9am - 9 pm
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Outdoor play time will never be more fun than with this colorful Zanies beach ball dog toy. Can float on the water and maintain its shape!
Some dogs jump in the water. Other dogs fall in. Either way, this adorable life vest keeps them on the surface in style. Available at WOOF Pet Bakery in Spring!
We have all kinds of contraptions to keep us safe when walking/running at night. So should your dog! These clip on LED flashers are a must have for night time activities. Available in several colors, ask your favorite pet store about them!
These Lonewolf leads are durable, colorful and made right here in Texas! (Spring to be exact!) Stop by Natural Pawz for yours!
The WaterDog automatic outdoor pet drinking fountain lets your dog help itself to fresh water, so you don’t have to worry about stagnant or empty water bowls. WaterDog senses your dog’s approach, and automatically dispenses a cool, clean stream of fresh drinking water. Natural Pawz is the place to go for summer safety!
Your pooch will never be thirsty with this handy portable water bottle! It even has a clip to attach to your belt! Available at Natural Pawz!
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