Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Snail Bait and Pesticides

Snail Bait and Pesticides


After watching Tuesday nights Television and having to spray for Termites it made me aware to ask the Question . How Safe is the product I am using ? Look online or see if your vet has a List to help you.

Pet poisoned by snail bait … (Television show episode)

I could not believe and the poor owner could not believe how quick the poor little Labrador pup began having convulsions and salivating at the mouth. The Vet was onto the case straight away. He checked the dogs Temperature first and knew straight away the stomach had to be pumped. The dog did sick up the grass and snail bait pallets but was given anaesthetic to ensure stomach could be pumped completely. The next step was charcoal mix to soak up the poison. Doggie recovered but what a scare. Pets will get into anything .

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0050/UNP-0050.pdf has very informative information on pesticide use

Some tips I have thought of

• Do inventory of the most dangerous products in your house . Put them into a store away safe container with sealable lid . Put this container up high or out in the shed.

• Walk around your property and check if there are any lose bit of garbage or packets/ bottles floating around blown by the wind etc

• Make sure your rubbish bin is not in any easy accessible spot. An idea is to lock it in the garage or shed and wheel it out on the day of collection.

It is a hard thing to determine what a pet will do if they are inquisitive but be alert for

• Convulsions

• Listlessness

• Overheating

• No eating or drinking

Some harmful products are
rat poisons, antifreeze, gasoline, kerosine, ibuprofen, lime, paint thinner


Tylenol, rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid, chocolate, deodorant, and soap.
 
 
The biggest problem for the diagnosis is generally How much has the Dog or cat Digested?. a blood test will be done to see toxidity levels . If possible take the eaten packet or product bottle with you .It is sad and very worrying fact too that some people purposely throw baits and other toxic substances over fences because they feel your dog is noisy etc. If this is occuring contact your local police. It is again a different issue to you looking after your garden but be aware.

Consult your vet immediately **** Safe gardening experience for you and your pet .

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Albino Animals

Albino Animals


My earliest image of an albino animal are the mice and rats use in laboratories Many albino animals such as mice and rats are often used as testing Laboratory animals. The first case of rats to be bred and used in Laboratories was in 1828. Many Albino rabbit were used for the Draize test. Sadly wild albino animals survival rate are low because they lack the Camouflage they require.

These animals are white with no colour at all . The eyes are red. They are known as Dondo or White albino.

The sad thing for Albino Cats and Dogs they are seen as inadequate or not genetically right.

The most noticeable thing is that these animals lack colour pigmentation and have other medical problems. It is a defect in the production of the enzyme needed for pigmentation.

These problems are Genetic. These pets will be confined to inside life

• Will be possibly of being blind and deaf

• And prone to cancer

• Its hard for them to be in the sun



It is advisable to

• buy a pair of doggles( doggy sunglasses)

• good doggy sunscreen

• donot breed your dog or cat

The most common breed of cat to have albino offspring are the Siamese cat. It was interesting to note that there are some albino Samoyeds ,albino German Shepherds. Please keep in touch with your vet from when you bring you pet or suspect your pet you want to buy is albino..

Hope this information is helpful xx Angela

Friday, November 5, 2010

Dog Obedience

The most Important things when looking at a Dog training is its behaviour.

The first thing I would ask myself is How much time and effort do I have for Dog training and why do dogs need training.

Having a good mannered dog makes the dog happier and fun for you as the owner. An Untrained dog is no fun if it cannot socialise or be patient around people and other dogs.

I would want my dog to

Come when called

Be housetrained

Not rush through the door

Not pull on the Lead

YOUR DOG DOES NEED A LEADER AND WANTS TO BE TRAINED!!!

Another point to consider is what is involved in training and when to start. The most appropriate time is 7 weeks of age . Remember that like Humans dogs have growing phases like we do. How a dog will relate and be trained is due to

The need to socialise

And the Trust Factor

The most important factor is consistency and determine what drive your dog has .

Is it Prey Pack or Defense drive? . You can do a profile or seek a dog Obedience or doggy school that will help you. Check at your shelter/Vet or your phone directory/Internet for listings.

Remember the dogs breed and Natural instincts can cause problems. As an example my dog many years ago named Lucky was Kelpie. Well to say she wanted to round things up was an understatement. She had Prey Drive. The best thing I found was to distract her with throwing stick balls . Full attention. This generally bought her back to Pack Drive.

Sometimes I thought it was who was training whom. Some things were annoying but were remedied.eg Rushing first toward the door.. No way I hated it !!!

I bought a harness . She knew that unless the harness was put on no going out the door meant no walks or car ride . Worked a charm . Yes talking to her and settling her. It took a bit but she was excellent in the car and on the leash .

Learning sit and stay were critical as she was a big dog . Dinner time was no problem.

But please remember any Animal shelter doggies can have

Shyness

Seperation Anxiety

Overprotectivness



Lucky was in the Shy Category ..but her doggie trips and love from our family she was confident dog..

Well Successful training to all .. and hope this was a general help but always get expert advice on training issues

XOXO Angela