Mike's Doghouse

Since Mike will eat anything within his reach outdoors, and since Spring is right around the corner, I decided it was time to brush up on what plants were poisonous to dogs. Plus, Lorna got me a pot of yellow tulips that I put outside today (the poor things were leaning way over trying to reach the sunny window) and the petals all blew off. Which, of course, Mike picked up and tried to eat.

According to the Humane Society of United States (HSUS) and their Common Poisonous Plant list, the poisonous part of a tulip is the bulb. It is also the poisonous part of the narcissus/daffodil. According to the ASPCA and their searchable list, all parts of a tulip are toxic with the bulbs having the heaviest concentration of the toxin. He also eats walnut hulls (not toxic to dogs) he finds out in the dog lot. He loves fruits, including apples (the seeds and stems are toxic to dogs) and bananas (not toxic to dogs).

I already know to not let him near my Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) vine. Every part of it is deadly poison to dogs and to children. It is still in its pot near the ramp, waiting to be planted as soon as the ground thaws enough. We’ll be putting it away from the usual dog places. It is an evergreen so there’s little risk of dead leaves being blown around.

Linkages:

HSUS Common Poisonous Plants list
ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants (searchable!) – also their “people foods that are toxic to dogs” list
Toxic Plants to Dogs list (Pet Poison Helpline site)

Winter is here in the U.S. South. We’ve already had several snows and a long drawn out cold “snap”. Hurricane season is over just as blizzard season begins. There are things any pet owner should have on hand for emergencies either season can bring.

One of the few good things brought about by Hurricane Katrina and Rita is that groups finally realized the lengths people will go to in order to keep their pets safe. Many humans and pets died because there was no where to go together. Animal shelters were overwhelmed by the number of dropoffs. As a result of this and more, disaster assistance groups have now changed their policies to include pets.

There are things you need to have on hand for emergencies. There are so many different kinds (medical emergency, weather emergency, toxic spill, etc) that it would seem a fully prepared kit would weigh more than the dog! You should have first aid kit on hand just because cuts happen regularly. An evacuation kit would be for if you had to leave the home. While you are getting the dog kits together, make one for yourselves, too!

Lists of stuff to have in a kit:

CanisMajor has a list of the basics to keep on hand in your dog first aid kit.

PetEducation.com, part of Drs. Foster and Smith, has another, more comprehensive list for the kit. They also have a list of stuff to have for an evacuation kit.

The Humane Society also has a list for a first aid kit as well as a disaster/evacuation kit and advice.

American Red Cross has a section dedicated to Animal Safety. This includes the suggestions for a pet first aid kit. (Also make sure you know about the “Preparedness Information for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities“)

The American Veterinarian Medical Association has a section on evacuation and first aid.

Already prepared kits/books:

The Humane Society’s Pet First Aid book
Outdoor Safety has several different human and canine first aid kits (be sure to read why the company exists)
Cabela’s has 3 Sporting Dog first aid kits

Some simple things you can do:

Get the basics together and remember where it is. Hang it with the leashes (make sure you have a leash or carrying crate for each animal) and leave it there. Check it once a year or so to ensure nothing has gone beyond its expiration date.
Microchip your pets. If you get separated, you can be re-connected when it is safe. Make sure one of the contact persons is away from your region so that in the case of a weather emergency, there is someone who can be reached.
Read up on preparedness. Get ideas and then follow through on them. Being prepared is the best thing you can do for yourselves and for your furkids.