This has been around before, but since it's so important, I thought I'd bring it back.
It just wouldn't occur to most people that the garden mulch that makes their yards look so nice might kill their dogs!
So... the message from my morning mail:
COCOA GARDEN MULCH KILLING PETS!!
Please share this with all the pet owners you know and ask them to do the same - the information you take a few minutes to share might prevent the senseless loss of other pets.
Over the weekend, the doting owners of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Halfway through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.
Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that, "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."
*Snopes site gives the following information:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp *
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest it and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.
Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cocoa bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cocoa bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
Showing posts with label summer dog care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer dog care. Show all posts
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Poison Mushroom Warning
This is scary! I got the following in my e-mail this morning and thought I should pass it along. If you have mushrooms in your yard,you might want to get rid of them... I don't know if it affects only Colorado or not.
Vets Report Dozens Of Dogs Poisoned
Jaclyn Allen, 7NEWS Reporter
POSTED: 4:37 pm MDT July 13, 2009
UPDATED: 8:02 am MDT July 14, 2009
CONIFER, Colo. -- Veterinarians in the foothills are struggling to keep up with the growing number of dogs who are being poisoned by mushrooms.
Because of the history-making moisture Colorado experienced this spring, mushrooms are everywhere in the mountains, and in the last week, Veterinarian Jeff Danielson has seen a drastic increase in mushroom poisonings. Mushrooms, when ingested by dogs, can break down their central nervous systems.
Last year, the hospital saw six cases, Danielson said. In the last five or six days, they've had about three dozen
"It's a startling change," said Danielson. "They're stumbling, falling over, some have full-blown seizures. It can be pretty scary for owners."
Jeff Clark has three dachshunds whom he considers more than pets.
"The dogs are our children," said Clark.
So when Herman, the newest of Clark's dachshunds, got sick Saturday after eating mushrooms from the back yard, Clark called the vet and kept a close eye on the dog.
"About 10, 11 at night, when we all went to bed, he seemed fine," said Clark. "But when we woke up in the morning, he was dead. It broke our hearts."
His wasn't the only sick dog.
It happened to Paul Graham's Labrador, Jasper.
Within hours of showing symptoms, Graham took the dog to the vet for an IV and activated charcoal.
"I knew mushrooms were poisonous, but before this episode, I didn't put two and two together and know that dogs can eat them and get pretty sick or die from it," said Graham.
Since Clark’s dog died, he has taken on the never-ending task of picking mushrooms and closely watching his other dachshunds.
"If you see them do it, don't be like me. Take them to the vet," he said.
Mushroom experts said most mushrooms are not toxic to dogs, but unless you know mushrooms, it's best to keep your pet away from all of them. The problem is not just in the foothills.
A technician at VRCC, an emergency clinic in Englewood, said they have seen six cases in the last month.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning include acting intoxicated, seizures, running into things, head tilts, staggering, excessive drooling and walking in circles.
Vets Report Dozens Of Dogs Poisoned
Jaclyn Allen, 7NEWS Reporter
POSTED: 4:37 pm MDT July 13, 2009
UPDATED: 8:02 am MDT July 14, 2009
CONIFER, Colo. -- Veterinarians in the foothills are struggling to keep up with the growing number of dogs who are being poisoned by mushrooms.
Because of the history-making moisture Colorado experienced this spring, mushrooms are everywhere in the mountains, and in the last week, Veterinarian Jeff Danielson has seen a drastic increase in mushroom poisonings. Mushrooms, when ingested by dogs, can break down their central nervous systems.
Last year, the hospital saw six cases, Danielson said. In the last five or six days, they've had about three dozen
"It's a startling change," said Danielson. "They're stumbling, falling over, some have full-blown seizures. It can be pretty scary for owners."
Jeff Clark has three dachshunds whom he considers more than pets.
"The dogs are our children," said Clark.
So when Herman, the newest of Clark's dachshunds, got sick Saturday after eating mushrooms from the back yard, Clark called the vet and kept a close eye on the dog.
"About 10, 11 at night, when we all went to bed, he seemed fine," said Clark. "But when we woke up in the morning, he was dead. It broke our hearts."
His wasn't the only sick dog.
It happened to Paul Graham's Labrador, Jasper.
Within hours of showing symptoms, Graham took the dog to the vet for an IV and activated charcoal.
"I knew mushrooms were poisonous, but before this episode, I didn't put two and two together and know that dogs can eat them and get pretty sick or die from it," said Graham.
Since Clark’s dog died, he has taken on the never-ending task of picking mushrooms and closely watching his other dachshunds.
"If you see them do it, don't be like me. Take them to the vet," he said.
Mushroom experts said most mushrooms are not toxic to dogs, but unless you know mushrooms, it's best to keep your pet away from all of them. The problem is not just in the foothills.
A technician at VRCC, an emergency clinic in Englewood, said they have seen six cases in the last month.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning include acting intoxicated, seizures, running into things, head tilts, staggering, excessive drooling and walking in circles.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Summer Dog Care
Now that hot weather is here, we need to take extra precautions to protect our furry friends.
Even though they may love to run and play in the sun, we should limit their hard activities to morning and evening, when the temperatures aren't so extreme - and we need to keep fresh water available to them at all times.
If your dogs stay outside in a yard most of the day, they need a good sun shade. It should have plenty of ventilation to let them cool off in any breeze that may come by. Remember, a plastic dog house might turn into an oven, so don't consider that as shade for your dog!
Next think about their feet. If they go walking on city sidewalks, they could get their pads burned. So either use some "doggie slippers" or limit their walks to cooler times of day.
Unless someone is going to stay in the vehicle with your dogs - with the AC running - leave them home when you go out to do errands. Just 15 minutes in a parked car (or motorhome) in summer could kill your dog!
That brings me to pickup beds. I hope you don't carry your dog in the back of your pickup - at least not unless he is cross tied to prevent falling out. Veterinarians tell me that a huge percentage of the injuries they see are from dogs falling from trucks... a horrible thought.
Even if they aren't injured, jumping out of a truck is a major reason for dogs being lost in communities like ours, where too many people carry their dogs that way. When I was working in rescue it was hard to feel sorry for people who came hunting for their lost dogs and admitted that they'd left them in the back of the pickup - and didn't even know when they fell out.
If your dog is going to be in the bed of your pickup even for a short while - like while you run in to a store - remember that he needs protection from the metal or plastic truck bed. Keep a heavy dog bed there for him to lay on - and/or line your pickup bed with plywood or some other material that won't absorb heat as readily as metal or plastic.
Even though they may love to run and play in the sun, we should limit their hard activities to morning and evening, when the temperatures aren't so extreme - and we need to keep fresh water available to them at all times.
If your dogs stay outside in a yard most of the day, they need a good sun shade. It should have plenty of ventilation to let them cool off in any breeze that may come by. Remember, a plastic dog house might turn into an oven, so don't consider that as shade for your dog!
Next think about their feet. If they go walking on city sidewalks, they could get their pads burned. So either use some "doggie slippers" or limit their walks to cooler times of day.
Unless someone is going to stay in the vehicle with your dogs - with the AC running - leave them home when you go out to do errands. Just 15 minutes in a parked car (or motorhome) in summer could kill your dog!
That brings me to pickup beds. I hope you don't carry your dog in the back of your pickup - at least not unless he is cross tied to prevent falling out. Veterinarians tell me that a huge percentage of the injuries they see are from dogs falling from trucks... a horrible thought.
Even if they aren't injured, jumping out of a truck is a major reason for dogs being lost in communities like ours, where too many people carry their dogs that way. When I was working in rescue it was hard to feel sorry for people who came hunting for their lost dogs and admitted that they'd left them in the back of the pickup - and didn't even know when they fell out.
If your dog is going to be in the bed of your pickup even for a short while - like while you run in to a store - remember that he needs protection from the metal or plastic truck bed. Keep a heavy dog bed there for him to lay on - and/or line your pickup bed with plywood or some other material that won't absorb heat as readily as metal or plastic.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
"Mad Dogs" get a Reprieve / My guest "appearance"
Summertime - we've all been waiting for it after a long cold winter and a Spring that's been none too warm.
BUT... it makes my dogs mad.
When the thermometer begins to rise it means they can no longer accompany me to town to do errands and get groceries, and they don't like that one bit. So I have "mad dogs."
But today the cool weather has returned - complete with wind that seems bent on beating my poor tomato plants to pulp. So they got to ride along.
Everyone please remember - temperatures inside your car can reach 130 degrees within minutes, so let your dogs be mad. Treat them like you would your small children - if you can't take them inside with you, don't take them at all.
Mad dogs at home are much more fun than dead dogs in your car.
And Now... an announcement
For all you folks in the Phoenix area, I've been invited to be a guest tonight on Fred Haney's "My Doggie Says..." radio talk show on KFNX 1100, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (which is also Pacific Daylight time).
If you live where you get that station, please join us!
BUT... it makes my dogs mad.
When the thermometer begins to rise it means they can no longer accompany me to town to do errands and get groceries, and they don't like that one bit. So I have "mad dogs."
But today the cool weather has returned - complete with wind that seems bent on beating my poor tomato plants to pulp. So they got to ride along.
Everyone please remember - temperatures inside your car can reach 130 degrees within minutes, so let your dogs be mad. Treat them like you would your small children - if you can't take them inside with you, don't take them at all.
Mad dogs at home are much more fun than dead dogs in your car.
And Now... an announcement
For all you folks in the Phoenix area, I've been invited to be a guest tonight on Fred Haney's "My Doggie Says..." radio talk show on KFNX 1100, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (which is also Pacific Daylight time).
If you live where you get that station, please join us!
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