“No chocolate eggs for pets (Bayside Bulletin)” plus 2

No chocolate eggs for pets (Bayside Bulletin)

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 12:20 AM PDT

PET owners are being reminded of the dangers chocolate poses to pets, especially dogs.

State Government animal welfare officer Ian Rodger said chocolate poisoning could occur in cats and birds, but was most common in dogs.

"Chocolate contains a naturally occurring stimulant, theobromine, which affects the nervous system and the heart," he said.

"Large amounts of chocolate can be life threatening to dogs but even small amounts of chocolate can make dogs ill."

Mr Rodger said parents should tell children not to feed chocolate to pets.

Restlessness, vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity and increased urination are all signs of chocolate poisoning.

If a dog owner suspects chocolate poisoning they should contact their local veterinarian immediately.

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PHOTOS, STORY: Pets have their day at GB expo (Fond du Lac Reporter)

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 07:21 AM PDT

ASHWAUBENON — While dogs and cats lapped up considerable attention, exotic animals also drew curious crowds this weekend at the WBAY Pet Expo at the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena.

That happened whenever Dennis Tlachac, environmental educator at Nature's Niche in Stevens Point, brought out a 4-foot long Osceola alligator in his arms.

"You want to pet him?" Tlachac asked some kids who quickly gathered around him on Sunday.

"It was really soft," said Sofia House, 5, of Oshkosh. Her mom, Pam House, brought her and her sister, Natalia, 7, to look over the wide range of exotic pets.

Nature's Niche also displayed turtles, birds, hamsters and snakes at the expo.

"They're not afraid of snakes," Pam House said of her daughters. But exotics may not be the pet they get.

"We might get a dog next year," said House, who prefers a pug because it doesn't shed a lot.

The pet expo event is a great way to educate people on responsible pet ownership, said Vickie Frank, trade show director for WBAY.

The three-day event featured 72 exhibitors, pet supply or services groups. It was expected to draw between 8,000 and 10,000 over the weekend, she said. This was the pet expo's fifth year.

"It started as a celebration of pets and has become a great networking resource," she said.

Exhibits included hydrotherapy, nutrition and pet hygiene. Dock Dogs entertained the crowd. Packerland Kennel Club offered demonstrations in obedience and agility. Clever K9s of Kaukauna held a high-jump contest. Several groups promoted rescue services for surrendered pets that shelters are unable to take.

Becca Beattie of Saving Paws said the group is in need of foster families. The group recorded 355 adoptions in 2009, including 204 cats and 147 dogs. Four other pets were hamsters or rats.

Frank said exhibitors can help enthusiasts decide if they should buy an exotic animal.

Tlachac advised people to check local ordinances first before buying an exotic animal.

"It's an investment. Read up on how much food and supplies are going to cost," he said.

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Holiday decor puts pets at safety risk (FOX Providence)

Posted: 29 Mar 2010 08:16 AM PDT

(FOX Providence) - Easter brings about thoughts of spring chicks and bunnies. Animals like those, and your own pets, could be at risk during the holidays.

Decorating for the holidays puts everyone in the spirit but what many people are not aware of are the dangers that are in everyday household items.

Here are some items to stay away from:

Chocolate:

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and dogs love chocolate! It is important to keep all chocolate out of reach of dogs. The symptoms the dog will get depends on the size of the dog and the amount and type of chocolate eaten. Mild signs include vomiting and diarrhea. More severe signs include shaking, increased heart rate, and even seizures, heart arrhythmias and in rare cases death. Early treatment and monitoring allows us to get most dogs through this.

Easter Lily:

Most plants in the Lily family are toxic to cats. If the cat chews even a small amount of the leaves or flowers it can cause kidney failure. Unfortunately, once kidney failure occurs there is usually little that can be done. Immediate treatment after the plant is consumed can help some cats. There are many plants that are toxic to cats – Lilies bear special mention because of the severe kidney damage they cause. If your cat likes to chew on greenery, there are several good websites that list toxic and nontoxic plants.

Easter Grass:

The plastic grass that fills most kid's Easter baskets, just like tinsel at Christmas time, is attractive to some cats. Consumption of the strands can cause bunching and even perforation of the intestines.

Why not to buy bunnies or chickens as Easter gifts

Bunnies and chickens seem to be a cute idea around Easter but once the holidays pass many owners neglect to take care of raising these unusual house pets, leading to possible abandonment.

Bunny:

People purchase bunnies more so around the Easter Holiday but although it seems like a cute idea at the time, what happens is the cuteness wears away as the bunny becomes a time sink in which the lost of interest becomes a possible abandonment scenario for the bunny.

Chickens:

Chicks are cute when their small but they could become a daily nuisance. Along the same lines as the bunnies, chicks also seem like a cute idea to get around the Easter Holiday. What people are not aware of is a chick can turn into a hen for laying eggs OR become a rooster that will become an instant daily alarm.

Dr. Justine Johnson and Dr. Cyndi Brown from Ocean State Veterinary Services , joined The Rhode Show to share more ways to pets safe.

Check out the attached video for their expert tips.

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