Please Note: The BeanTown Dogs website provides information and listings of dog breeds, clubs and associations, rescue organizations, health and nutrition, breeders,
trainers, groomers, boarding kennels, and other pet services and products. However, we do not recommend, endorse, or support any one of these listings over another. The links
provided on the site are for information purposes only and should not be viewed as a recommendation or endorsement. Accuracy of information is the sole responsibility of the
owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The BeanTown Dogs website is
not affiliated or associated with any organization or business - It is a completely independent project. - Archie and Mum
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Most people associate seasonal allergies with the springtime, when everything is in
bloom, but fall is also an important allergy season. The allergens that most commonly
affect pets and people in autumn are molds (from decaying plant materials) and
ragweed pollen. Learn what the signs are in animals and how you can reduce your
pet's exposure to these allergens
Owners can proactively avoid some frustration by limiting their dogs' exposure. Dog
owners should pay close attention to surroundings, time of day and weather conditions
to ensure their pets steer clear of risky allergens.
- Stay away from un-mowed grass -- Ragweed pollen is more likely to be airborne
in areas with high grass and weeds. To limit exposure, restrict a dog's outdoor
time to either mowed lawns or areas of packed dirt during the peak ragweed
season, August 15 through the end of September.
- Clean up leaves and other decaying matter promptly -- Leaves sitting on a lawn
are more likely to absorb water and decay, creating higher concentrations of
mold. Clean up decaying matter quickly and keep dogs inside to limit exposure.
- Avoid morning, take advantage of rain -- Pollen tends to circulate most heavily
between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so limit outdoor activities during those times.
Conversely, rain helps prevent pollen from spreading, so take advantage after
rain showers for outdoor activities.
- Brush the dog down when returning indoors and bathe frequently -- Any time
spent outdoors exposes dogs to mold spores and ragweed pollen that gets
trapped in their coat. Grooming the dog with a stiff brush before coming indoors
helps prevent the prolonged contact that leads to allergic reactions. Bathing
weekly washes off many of the pollens and spores that cannot be removed
through brushing.
- Talk to a veterinarian about managing allergies -- Even with a close eye, dogs
still develop allergic reactions. Veterinarians have many options to manage
atopic dermatitis including Atopica to target the harmful reaction to allergens like
ragweed that cause itchiness and inflammation.
Halloween Tips
Going trick-or-treating with your pet? Be sure both of you wear reflectors for safety.
Watch your pet for signs of stress (heavy panting and anxious expression). And be
kind: don't share your Halloween candy with your pet. An upset stomach can occur, or
even worse, your pet can get poisoned from too much chocolate.
Other than that, have a howlin' good time!
.
Thanksgiving
Although Thanksgiving is a time for sharing, we urge you not to share your holiday
meal leftovers with your pet. Table scraps, including Thanksgiving turkey, are
unhealthy for pets. Turkey bones or spoiled meat could be especially dangerous to
your pet's health.
Turkey bones, like other bird bones, are hollow and therefore break easily and splinter
into sharp pieces. Most dogs and cats will not chew the bone thoroughly and sharp
pieces can cause blockage and perforate the intestinal tract.
A pet who has a turkey bone lodged in his digestive system may not show any
symptoms for 1 to 2 days. When symptoms do occur, they may include loss of appetite,
depression, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sometimes the bone will pass by itself; other times it
may need to be surgically removed.
Another common ailment in pets who eat leftover turkey is salmonella food poisoning.
Salmonella is an organism that lives in the turkey's intestinal tract. The cooking process
usually destroys all the organisms, making the turkey safe to eat. Occasionally, the
center of the turkey may be undercooked, especially if it's large or full of stuffing. If the
meat sits out at room temperature for too long, the salmonella organisms can multiply
and cause contamination. Pets may become poisoned if they eat any of the turkey that
has been sitting out.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea,
depression, a high temperature, loss of appetite, and listlessness.
Another problem that can occur if your pet overeats a large amount of fatty foods on
Thanksgiving is pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
Symptoms of pancreatitis are variable. Vomiting and abdominal pain are the most
common symptoms of pancreatitis. Trembling, panting and a hunched-up abdomen
indicate pain in a dog. Diarrhea, often tinted with blood, fever, and weakness are also
very common.
Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency. Dogs experiencing acute pancreatitis are
usually in severe pain.
Pets should not be allowed to eat table scraps, even on Thanksgiving. If your pet
sneaks some turkey or other food from the table and begins showing any of the signs
listed in this article, consult your veterinarian immediately.
As the nights draw in, and the weather cools, it becomes harder for many owners to
maintain their pet's exercise levels, at just the time when they may be more prone to
getting stiff because of the colder damper weather. However regular exercise is a must
for any pet's quality of life so it is important to make time to get out for a walk. Beware
of the risks of walking in the dark though, and wear pale and reflective clothing and
collars to avoid accidents.
Other hazards to look out for at this time of year include dogs eating autumn fruits and
developing digestive problems - do prevent access to fallen apples and the like. Also,
bear in mind that anti-freeze is highly palatable (and poisonous) to pets and don't leave
it lying around when getting the car ready for winter.
Finally, be prepared for fireworks - keep pets in and safe around firework night, and
bear in mind that background noise and light from the TV, with curtains well drawn can
be a helpful distraction for those pets that are firework phobic. However medication to
reduce anxiety may also be needed, so do contact your vererinarian.
