The Cold Wet Nose

The Cold,Wet Nose
[Keeping Your Pup(s) Healthy]

Table of Contents:
1.	The Truth About the Cold Wet Nose
2.	Poisonous Plants & Substances
3.	Chocolate is Poisonous to Dogs
4.	Hot Weather Tips
5.	Ticks, Bee Stings & Fox Tails
6.	The Essential First Aid Kit
Pg. 2	Signs of Illness in Your Dog

The Truth About the Cold, Wet Nose

It's true that a cold, wet nose can be a sign of good health in a dog, but it's not a completely reliable barometer. It is a good idea to keep your pup's nose in check. If you notice any of the following, you'll want to consult your vet right away: discharges that last more than 24 hours, swelling, odor & difficulty breathing. These things can be symptomatic of the presence of a foreign object, tumors, or sinus/respiratory infections.

Poisonous Plants

Be on the look out for dangerous plants. It's not unusual for animals to chew on greenery of all sorts and they do this for many reasons: It's a way of keeping their digestive system clean; it's a symptom of teething; they could have a hair ball they're trying to expel by inducing vomiting; they could have a nutritional deficiency; or they could be bored.

Once you bring an animal into your household, you'll need to be aware of the plants you own, cultivate, or that simply grow wild--many of them are poisonous to the animal.

Symptoms of poisoning include the following: vomiting (beyond the normal little upchuck that often accompanies eating grass), diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, contracted pupils (pin pointed), trembling, twitching, staggering, convulsions, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst or salivation, weakness in rear legs, or paralysis. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned (plant or other substance), rush him or her to a vet immediately and, if possible, try to identify the substance.

The following is a list of plants that may be poisonous to your pet:

Aconite; Anemone (Windflower); Autumn Crocus; Black Locust; Buttercup; Caladium; Castor Oil Plants (Castor Bean, Palma, Christi, Koli); Cherry trees; Christmas Pepper; Christmas Rose (Hellebore); Clematis (Virgins' Bower); Cycads; Daffodil (Narcissus); Daphne; Delphinium (Larkspur, Staggerweed); Dicerna (Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches, Squirrel Corn, Turkey Corn); Dieffembachia; Elderberry; Euphorbia (Annual Poinsettia, Mexican fire Plant, Fire-on-the Mountain); Four O'Clocks; Foxglove (Digitalis--pets can be poisoned from drinking vase water of the flower); Garland Flower; Blory Lily; Golden Chain; Holly; Hydrangea; Iris; Indian Spurge Tree; Jack-in-the-Pulpit; Jerusalem Cherry; Jassemine; Lantana Camara (Red Sage); Laurels; Lilac; Lily of the Valley; Marsh Marigold (Cowslip); Matrimoney Vine; Mayapple; Meadow; Saffron; Mistletoe; Monkshood; Mountain Laurel; Mushrooms; Nightshade; Oaks; Oleander; Oxala; Philodendron; Phytolacca; Pine; Poincian (Bird of Paradise); Poison Hemlock; Pothos; Privet; Pyracantha (Firethorn); Rhododendron; Rhubarb; Rosary Pea; Snowdrop; Spring Adonis; Star-of-Bethlehem; Strelitzia; Sweet Pea; Trumpet Flower (Chalice Vine); Water Hemlock; Wisteria; Yellow Oleander; Yew.

To obtain a more complete list of plants, toxic and non-toxic, including their scientific names and associated problems/hazards, write the NAPCC, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. Enclose a check for $10, payable to NAPCC. When you believe that plant poisoning of your animal has occurred, it is essential that the substance be accurately identified. Local floral shop and plant nursery personnel are valuable sources of information in assisting with plant identification.

Moldy walnut poisoning occurs after a rain and walnuts become infected with mold that produces toxins. If ingested by your pup, the animal can become very ill and possibly die. Signs that should alert you to walnut poisoning are vomiting (you may see walnuts in the vomitus), trembling, drooling, lack of coordination & seizures. Get medical help immediately--walnut poisoning if left untreated can be fatal. With proper & expedient treatment the chances of recovery are excellent. Prevention is the preferable: Keep walnuts picked up and do what ever is necessary to keep your dog(s) from chewing on them.

Man-made substances that are highly lethal to animals:

Antifreeze is very sweet tasting and dogs and cats will readily drink it. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol (which quickly causes kidney failure) and it is DEADLY! The lethal dose for a cat is 2 tablespoons and for a for a twenty pound dog only a quarter of a cup will kill.

It is not unusual for antifreeze to leak from radiators and pool on driveways or street surfaces & gutters. If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to antifreeze do not wait for symptoms to appear, by then it may be too late. Get help immediately. Signs that should alert you to the possibility of antifreeze poisoning are delirium, stupor, breathing problems, drooling, mouth sores, vomiting, convulsions, comas, and death. Treatment includes pumping the stomach, intravenous injections of alcohol and fluids to help save the kidneys, and an extended period of hospitalization.

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Snail Bait is a commonly used garden product. The active ingredients, metadehyde, is highly toxic to all mammals, as well as snail. This product, like antifreeze, is very tasty and, therefore, attractive to animals. The signs of snail bait poisoning are lack of coordination and muscle tremors, salivation & anxiety, generalized seizures. If your pet shows symptoms such as these, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. If none are available call your local Animal Care & Control facility. Stay calm and minimize noise and stimuli, to reduce anxiety in the animal, while transporting it immediately to the vet. Chances of recovery are good with prompt medical treatment.

Medications--Store medications for all family members and pets in high cabinets, out of reach. With their curiosity and strong teeth, dogs can crack open a pill bottle and swallow the entire contents in a very short time. Even if a medicine prescribed for your pet, too large a dose could cause problems.

Medications that come in tubes may also pose a large risk. Most pets have sharp teeth and can chew into a tube within seconds. Creams and ointments that may be quite safe when applied to the skin can cause serious problems when eaten.

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OH YES, CHOCOLATE IS POISONOUS TO YOUR DOG!!

Don't give the pooch that piece of milky way...she may love it but her body won't. One of the most common toxicities in animals seen by veterinarians is chocolate toxicity. Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine which is in the same chemical family as caffeine. Chocolate poisoning can occur with as little as a quarter ounce of baking chocolate ingested per pound of body weight. Baking chocolate contains higher amounts of theobromine than other forms of chocolate, but toxicity can occur with any form of chocolate or cocoa.

Signs of theobromine toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, hyperactivity (though some dogs can become lethargic), and rapid heart rate. Progressively, the signs include muscle tremors, seizures, coma, and death. Get your dog to the vet right away upon first occurrence of any of these symptoms to increase; survival is possible with immediate treatment which is aimed at eliminating the Chocolate from the gastro-intestinal tract, supporting the animal on intravenous fluids and with drugs to treat heart arrhythmias.

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Hot Weather Tips for Your Pets

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For many of us, a long hot summer day is ideal--it means fun & relaxation. But, please remember to take into consideration the needs of your canine companion. Below is a list of do's and don'ts that we hope you will find helpful. (Courtesy of the the ASPCA, NY.)

THE DON'Ts:

	Never leave an animal unattended in a car. While a slightly opened window provides ample ventilation when the car is moving, a parked care can quickly become a furnace to any animal on the inside. Parking in the shade offers some protection, but remember, the sun is constantly shifting during the day. Some days, it only takes 10 minutes for a car to heat up to 160 degrees.
	Never force your pet to exercise after feeding, especially in very hot, humid weather; always exercise your dog in the cool of the day--early morning or evening.
	Never tie an animal outside on a choke collar (any season) as he or she may choke to death; use a buckle collar instead.
	Never leave your dog standing on the street and keep walks on hot asphalt to a minimum--their feet can burn and they easily heat up.
	Never let your pet run loose as this is a good way for the animal become injured, stolen, or killed; in particular, make sure there are no open windows or doors that the animal can jump through when you're not looking.
	Never walk your pet in areas you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals; dog poisoning increase considerably during the summer months when gardens, lawns & trees are sprayed for the control of weeds, insects & other pests; observe areas closely and get immediate medical attention if your suspect that the animal has been exposed.
	Never take your pet to the beach unless you can provide him or her with a shaded spot to lie in & plenty of fresh water to drink; remember to hose the pup down after he or she has been swimming in salt water.

THE DOs:

	Always provide plenty of cool, clean water for your pet. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with clean water.
	Always provide plenty of shade for a pet staying outside the house. A properly constructed dog house is best. Whenever possible, bring your pet inside during the heat of the day and let him or her rest in a cool part of the house. Always have plenty of water readily available for the pup.
	Always keep your pet well groomed. If your pet is a large heavy dog with long, thick hair, shaving his or her coat down to a one-inch length will help prevent your pet from overheating and it will make it easier to groom him or her for fleas; a clean coat also helps prevent summer skin problems--though, don't shave your dog's hair down to the skin. This robs the dog of protection from the sun.
	Always check for fleas or ticks that may infest your pet; bring him or her to your vet for a thorough summer checkup, including heartworm tests, and use a good, safe flea & tick repellent.
	Always keep current license and identification tags on your dog in case he or she gets lost--a license does no good at home in a drawer.
	Always be extra sensitive to old & overweight dogs in hot weather. Those with heart or lung diseases and brachycephallic (snub-nose dogs like Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus) are more susceptible to the heat and should be kept indoors and air-conditioned as much as possible.
	Always be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle's engine. During the summer cars are more likely to overheat & overflow. Antifreezes & coolants are deadly!!

If, in spite of the extra care you give your dog during the hot days of summer, you observe twitching, rapid panting, agitated barking or a wild "staring" expression, call your vet. Don't immerse your pet in water or use ice packs to counteract heatstroke. Do pour water on the animal every 3 to 5 minutes and then place him or her in a draft or under a fan.

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crab.gif (1469 bytes) Ticks: These little buggers can be a real problem, especially in regions where serious infectious diseases are transmitted, such as Lyme Disease. All animals, domesticated and wild, are sources of these parasites. Check your animals thoroughly, especially if they have been in wooded areas. If you find a tick, don't try to remove it with any of the mythical methods you may have heard of, such as cleaning fluid, nail polish, petroleum jelly, hot matches, or goddess forbid, lit cigarettes. Beside causing minor to major irritation to the dog's skin, you will also kill the tick making it more difficult to remove intact (be sure to kill it after you remove it).

Ticks secrete a glue that holds the mouthpiece in place while feeding so that it is not easily dislodged. It has to be removed carefully:

First, swab the area with alcohol. Then, using tissue or tweezers, gently grasp the body of the tick and pull directly away from the point of attachment. Don't jerk or twist.
If the mouthpiece breaks off in the skin, use a sterilized needle to remove as you would a splinter.
Wash the bite area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Mark the date of the tick bite on your calendar and watch for symptoms of disease in the following weeks.

Lyme Disease, transmitted by the dear tick, causes enlarged lymph glands and inflammation of the joints. Humans are susceptible to Lyme Disease and exposure to the disease can cause life-long consequences for both you and your pet.

Bee stings cause pain and swelling. The mouth and face are usual sites of stings. Some dogs are allergic to stings and can react badly. Immediate veterinary care is essential if there is acute swelling to the mouth or throat. If you know your dog to be allergic to bee sting, keep over-the-counter Benadryl available and if you see your dog get stung, give him or her two tablets immediately. Be sure to inform the vet that you have administered the Benadryl--the treatment for bee sting will most likely be an intravenous antihistamine, and since Benadryl is an antihistamine the vet may want to adjust his or her own dosage.

Bees leave a stinger embedded in the skin. With a magnifying glass, remove the stinger with tweezers. Ice the area with an icepack to reduce the swelling.

Foxtails are barbed seeds of dried grasses and weeds, most common during the dry season. They are easily inhaled simply by your pooch sniffing around the grass or brush. Because they are barbed, they can easily become embedded between toes or lodged inside the ears or work their way into the animal's eyes and can be very difficult to remove. Once inside the animal, the foxtail can travel through the body, causing severe abscesses and infections. Besides being very painful for your animal, removal can be a costly procedure depending on how deeply embedded in the skin or how far back in the dog's ear, throat or sinuses it becomes embedded.

Be very proactive in protecting your dog from foxtails. Remove dried weeds from the yard and keep your dog away from weeds in other locations. After every outing, be sure to examine your pet, especially between the toes, under the tail, and in the ears.

Be on the lookout for symptoms and get your pup to the vet immediately:

	pawing at the ears and eyes, squinting, and shaking the head
	rubbing the head on the ground and wheeling in circle, or licking and biting at the rectum or other parts of the body
	repeated sneezing, sometimes bloody discharge from the nostrils
	yelping or whining for no obvious reason
	a small raised spot showing signs of inflammation and infection

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THE ESSENTIAL FIRST AID KIT

Be sure to have a first aid kit with you when you take your pup on a hiking or camping trip, or when you leave your pet in the care of others. This is what the Marin Humane Society recommends for a well-stocked first aid kit for your pet (name brand products are capitalized):

Lots of bandages:

	Clinging gauze rolls
	2-inch square compression pads
	rolled cotton batting to apply to a splint and clean ears
	1-inch bandage tape
	2-inch elastic tape
	Telfa pads for wounds