Ollie was recently adopted from the Washington Animal Rescue League. He is missing. On March 30th he was being walked, and pulled loose, and ran off. This happened around 2:00 p.m. in the area near Howard University on Georgia Avenue (811 Euclid Street, NW). Ollie is 40 pounds, and is wearing a pick collar that says 'WARL' and a light blue harness with a grey leash attached. He will likely have his tail between his legs because he is scared. DO NOT CHASE! Just note the location and call Roger at 914-844-7692 or AnneMarie at 801-971-2836. Reward offered.
The public debut of Hulk, the worlds largest Pit Bull, caused a great deal of controversy last month. The 174 pound dog sparked debate over backyard breeding, the safety of Pit Bulls as a breed, and the ethics of breeding dogs (in any capacity) for size and aggression. Well, Hulk is making more waves, this time over the price tag of studding him out. Dark Dynasty K9’s, who are responsible for Hulk, are charging $20,000 for impregnation services. Yes, for about half of the average household income, you can contribute to this heinous practice. What a sweet deal.
The Animal Rescue Site has written about the dangers of breeding, especially when done in puppy mills or for specific traits, like Hulk. What makes his story so tragic is not just the considerable damage he may have, or may pass down, from linear breeding, but the way Dark Dynasty is advertising him.
Their website also features a video section, every single one highlighting how dangerous and deadly these dogs are. There is much to be said about the kind of clientele they are cultivating, and the fuel they are giving anti-Pit Bull advocates, but they are also contributing to the “designer dog” field. Well over a million dogs are euthanized in shelters every year, nearly 800,000 being Pit Bulls.
Overpopulation is a major concern among Pit breeds (some states consider American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any breed with similar “characteristics” to be Pit Bulls), and the fact that there is a market for $20,000 semen is only adding to the list of dogs that don’t “make the cut.”
Another concern about this now-famous pup is how his breeders encourage dog fighting, unintentionally or not. Dark Dynasty uses shock collars, choke chains, heavy restraints, and antagonizes them with violence in order to make them “the best security dogs” that they can. These practices are disturbingly close to how dog fighting rings are ran, and these animals are the exact target of underground rings.
Animal lovers are well aware of these issues. However, Hulk’s viral debut was met with a great deal of awe, and his newly priced services are keeping him in the public eye, a public that doesn’t know about how terrible the world surrounding him really is. To them he’s huge, adorable (or scary), and apparently worth $20,000.
There must be a reason right? The takeaway is that Hulk is worth it, encouraging people to look at purebred animals and bypassing shelters. This glorification is why shelters are overcrowded, why states are banning Pit Bulls, and why the breed is among the most contentious and misunderstood.
Hope For Paws and PAL Rescue teamed up to save three dogs who have been living on the streets for a long time. When Lisa Chiarelli and I arrived on the rescue location, we found Anna & Aurora, and we also found their friend... dead on the road.
We were able to save them in this challenging rescue, and a couple of days ago, our friend Diana Lundin Pet Photography volunteered to take some beautiful pictures of them in their new amazing home.
March is Poison Awareness Month. In this series, Dr. Kupkee discusses some of the most common causes of toxicity in pets, and what you can do to prevent them. Almost every day our clinic receives a call from a concerned pet parent asking which over-the-counter medications they can give to their pets. The short answer is, not many. Sadly, many pet owners assume that if a medication is safe for humans, especially children, then it must be safe for animals. Our pets’ bodies are different. They do not metabolize substances in the same way that we do. Let’s take a look at some of the most common culprits of medication toxicity. Tylenol The “pain reliever hospitals trust most” is perhaps the number one reason our pets are rushed to the emergency clinic. The active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen, has been linked to liver failure in both dogs and cats. Cats are especially susceptible to acetaminophen poisoning as even a single, child-sized dose can be fatal. Many people assume that if it is safe for babies, it is safe for pets. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ibuprofen and Naproxen These common over-the-counter pain medicines can cause bleeding ulcers and irreversible kidney damage. If you suspect your pet is in pain, call your veterinarian for a veterinary approved alternative. Aspirin Back in the old days, veterinarians would prescribe baby aspirin or buffered aspirin for pets. We now know that this seemingly benign drug can cause ulcers, internal bleeding, liver damage, and kidney damage. Adderall Commonly used to treat ADHD in children, Adderall contains stimulants that cause hyperactivity, high fevers, elevated heart rates, tremors and seizures in our pets. It also contains a binder that many users report as having a sweet, citrus-like taste. It is entirely possible that this is why pets find it irresistible. Make sure children who are taking these medications understand that they can never be given to pets. Sleep Aids Medications such as Ambien and Clonazapam can lead to extreme agitation and elevated heart rates in pets. Because these pills are often kept on bedside tables, they are easy for pets to find and ingest. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications While certain medications can be used for pets in very small doses, most drugs of this type can cause anxiety, tremors, excessive vocalization and seizures. Do not ask “Dr.Google” for advice on dosing your pets, and do not attempt to medicate them for anxiety without a veterinarian’s supervision. Decongestants - The Devil in the “D”-tails Certain antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Claritin are perfectly safe for pets. However, certain varieties of these drugs contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, that can lead to dangerous heart palpitations. Be sure to check with your veterinarian regarding antihistamine doses and never, ever use a product containing decongestants. Helpful hint: an antihistamine that ends with “-D” probably contains a decongestant. A good rule of thumb when shopping for these drugs is “D stands for Don’t”. Never give Psuedophed intentionally, and keep those pretty red tablets out of Fluffy’s reach. Cough and Cold Medicines There are times when it is appropriate to treat a coughing pet with over-the-counter cough medicine intended for children. That being said, most of these drugs contain acetaminophen and/or pseudoephedrine. If your veterinarian recommends one of these products, have him/her write down exactly what you should purchase, including which active ingredients should be included. If you must ask the pharmacist to get it for you, chances are you are getting the wrong product, as defined by one containing pseudoephedrine. Stop, call your vet, and get clarification before buying anything. Remember, pharmacists are not trained in veterinary medicine, and it is not their job to be familiar with off-label, veterinary uses of human products. If you find yourself getting conflicting opinions, go with your vet’s. Your pets are our patients and our responsibility. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications While certain medications can be used for pets in very small doses, most drugs of this type can cause anxiety, tremors, excessive vocalization and seizures. Do not ask “Dr.Google” for advice on dosing your pets, and do not attempt to medicate them for anxiety without a veterinarian’s supervision. Marijuana While medicinal uses are being studied by veterinary researchers, marijuana remains one of the leading causes of drug-related toxicity. Pets who ingest marijuana usually do so in large doses, causing lethargy, respiratory depression, dangerously low heart rates, low blood pressure, coma, and seizures. They are often guilty of raiding the “special brownies”, and suffer from the toxic effects of chocolate as well. If you think your pet has gotten into your stash, the most important thing you can do is to be honest with your veterinarian. Several years ago, I treated a teacup Yorkie who presented several times in the course of a week with dilated pupils, shallow breathing, and neurological symptoms. We tested her for hypoglycemia, liver problems, distemper, as well as a host of rare conditions that would have put Dr. House to shame. Every test came back normal. It wasn’t until I recommended a $3000 MRI with a veterinary neurologist that the teenage son sheepishly admitted to “doping” the dog in an attempt to stop her from barking. Your veterinarian is not there to judge you. Our job is to help your pet, and we cannot do that without knowing the facts. Be honest, and don’t attempt any “herbal remedies” at home.
Vets at the Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre (MPEC) are warning of potentially fatal toxicity in pets due to a sudden increase in paralysis tick cases.
Dr Jill Griffiths, Veterinary Supervisor of MPEC, said pet owners should take great care when travelling with their pets in the eastern states.
"Recent weather conditions have created perfect breeding conditions for these ticks. We have had more pets present with paralysis tick poisoning in the last 10 days than we usually see in a year," Dr Griffiths said.
"Paralysis ticks are not naturally found in Western Australia, and all the cases we have seen here are of dogs and cats that have recently travelled from the eastern states. This coincides with record numbers of paralysis tick cases in New South Wales and Queensland."
Signs of paralysis tick intoxication include weakness, lack of coordination, gurgling, breathing problems, choking and a change in voice. The signs usually start with hind leg weakness and progress forward up the body.
Intoxication occurs when a tick bites, releasing a toxin into the pet as they feed.
"Tick paralysis can be fatal, so it is critical that pets are taken to a vet immediately if any symptoms are noted. Treatment involves tick anti-serum, intravenous fluids and supportive care, and some animals will need extra oxygen or to be placed on a ventilator to help them recover from this toxicity," Dr Griffiths said.
Paralysis ticks are typically found along the eastern seaboard, usually in scrub and long grass. They usually attach around the legs, chest, head and neck, but can be anywhere on the body including down inside the ears.
Dr Griffiths said pets needed to be checked every day for ticks when in these areas, which owners could do by running their hands all over the animal's coat, feeling for anything unusual, including inside the toes and looking inside the ears.
Tick preventatives are also recommended, but do not remove the need for daily checks.
Dr Griffiths advises that if you do travel to the eastern states and find a tick on your pet, gently remove it immediately and closely monitor your pet for at least three days for any clinical signs.
"Paralysis can take up to three days to show signs, so it is important to be continually vigilant," she said.
Police K-9 officers are an indispensable resource when it comes to keeping our neighborhoods safe. This adorable video shows a 3-month-old puppy named Taz practicing his criminal pursuit and takedown.
Paramus, New Jersey - An MRI machine exploded during maintenance at the Oradell Animal Hospital late Friday morning, critically injuring one repairman but sparing scores of employees and animals in the hospital, Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said. The critically injured worker suffered cuts and crushing-related injuries; the other two had minor to moderate injuries including respiratory complaints, the chief said. He said their identities were being withheld pending family notification. Responding to reports at 11:51 a.m. of a fire and an explosion at the animal hospital at 580 Winters Ave., police found the ceiling of the east wing collapsed, but the building remained structurally sound, the chief said. There was no evidence of a fire, he said. About 60 animals and 100 employees were in the building and the staff subsequently accounted for all animals and employees. Three men were injured, all contract workers from a private company not affiliated with the hospital. They were in the process of removing the 10-year-old MRI machine when the explosion happened. The machine was being leased from Advanced Veterinary Technologies, and was having software problems. Emily Cottam, an emergency and critical care resident at the animal hospital, was in the rear of the hospital near the explosion. “The ceiling fell on my head,” she said. Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assisting in the investigation. The building will remain closed until further notice. MRI explosions are rare but can be deadly, said Wlad Sobol, Ph.D., a medical physicist and professor of radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. “I’m aware of maybe half a dozen events that led to catastrophic failure of a magnet” in the last decade, Sobol said. Sobol, who has studied MRI explosions, said that there are two potential causes. An MRI — magnetic resonance imaging — machine is a superconductive device, meaning it contains wire that can conduct electrical current without generating any resistance, or heat. Superconductivity happens at extremely cold temperatures, made possible by bathing the wire in liquid helium. If for some reason the superconductivity is lost — if one of the magnets in the device is dropped, for example, or the helium runs out — the large amount of energy stored inside the magnet quickly encounters resistance and releases heat. “The amount of energy stored in a magnet like that is not trivial,” Sobol said, adding that it is equivalent to several kilograms of TNT — “It’s like a bomb in its ability to destroy stuff.” The other possible scenario is that the ventilation system for the liquid helium becomes clogged. “The pressure will build up and the magnet will explode,” Sobol said. Shortly after noon, about 60 people had congregated in the hospital's parking lot, along with several dogs. The staff brought animals out of the building, some on leashes, some carried in blankets and some in moving cages or hand crates. Soon after the incident, no smoke or fire was observed coming out of the building. But A&S Drive was blocked off by police tape between Winters Avenue and Ring Road. Among the units that responded were Bergen County sheriff’s officers, Paramus and county police, and Paramus and Hackensack fire departments, the latter’s collapse team, Bergen County Hazardous Materials Unit, and the county Office of Emergency Management.
The first transport of March 2015 will transport 9 rescue dogs from South Carolina to the Buddy Dog Humane Society in Massachusetts; also making the trip will be 4 cats that have placements in New England! Please support this transport fundrazr so that 12 animals can find their forever homes! All of these pups were rescued from death row or high risk situations, they now need your help to make the thousand mile journey - the last leg of their rescue story! The excessive snow storms in New England have delayed our transports for the last several weeks, we now have the opportunity to get these guys on the road. We can not rescue new dogs and cats until space becomes available - the only way to create space for a no kill rescue is to get dogs placed! Dog4U, Inc, is a volunteer run no kill 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Our tax Id number is 20-5311280 - your donation is tax deductible! If you would like to make a donation, click here:
About: Dog4U, Inc. Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is a no kill 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Our goal is to save as many animals as possible with a no kill policy. We take in dogs, horses and a limited number of cats and farm animals. We provide local adoptions, though we primarily place our dogs through other no kill shelters and rescues in New England, where there are more homes available for them. All donations go directly and exclusively towards the needs of the animals. Dog4U, Inc. runs on a volunteer and family basis. Donations are tax deductible and can be made by going to www.dog4u.org/make-a-donation or by mailing a check to : Dog4U, Inc. P.O. Box 1514, Camden, South Carolina 29020
Stories like this truly makes my heart melt. A 13-year-old dog named Sunshade was diagnosed with cancer and to give her the best memories in the last few months of her life, her owner decided to grant her biggest wish: to have guinea pigs of her own.
According to Sunshade’s owner, the Airedale Terrier has always adored guinea pigs. Whenever they went to the pet store, Sunshade always stares at the guinea pigs for the longest time. She was so in love with them.
Sunshade finally got her wish and even got two guinea pigs. Her owner intended to get the dying pooch two females but something unexpected happened. Check out the video to know the surprising twist to the story.
A Las Vegas pet shop owner who was caught on surveillance video torching her business before 27 puppies and dogs were rescued last year failed to sway her sentencing judge with a courtroom announcement Wednesday that she was three months pregnant.
Clark County District Court Judge David Barker said he thought Gloria Eun Hye Lee, 36, was using her pregnancy to try to get him to hand down a lesser sentence.
He sentenced Lee to five to 14 years in state prison, nearly the maximum that prosecutor Shanon Clowers sought.
Clowers accused Lee of using her pregnancy in a manipulative bid for a "get-out-of-jail-free card."
Lee's attorney, Tom Pitaro, didn't immediately respond later to messages.
Clowers noted that Lee told the court the father of her child was her husband, from whom Lee was estranged at the time of the January 2014 fire at the Prince and Princess pet shop in southwest Las Vegas, and who she once tried to blame for the crime.
Store security video showed Lee removing files in an office while co-defendant Kirk Bills poured liquid on the floor around locked kennel cages and ignited it.
Lee pleaded guilty in October to arson, insurance fraud and attempted animal cruelty charges in a plea deal that had 28 other charges against her dismissed.
Bills pleaded guilty to arson and attempted animal cruelty. He'll be sentenced Monday. His lawyer, Roger Bailey, said he hopes for leniency and a two-to-five year sentence that, with time already served, could get Bills out of prison as early as next year.
Ceiling fire sprinklers quickly doused the flames, and none of the 27 animals was fatally injured before firefighters arrived.
But the incident sparked intense passions among animal rights advocates who picketed the courthouse for nearly every court appearance. Lee was arrested in Las Vegas shortly after the fire. Bills was arrested days later in Crown Point, Indiana.
It also touched off a weekslong ownership battle that ended when 25 rescued puppies were raffled in March 2014 for $250 apiece to benefit a foundation that runs the local Lied Animal Shelter. Two adult dogs were placed by a rescue group called A Home 4 Spot.
Call us today to schedule your pets Free Dental exam, all dental cleanings are $50.00 off til 03/31/2015, and our Purina Dental Diet and treats are 40% off. Your pet will also receive with their dental cleaning a gift bag filled with toothpaste, toothbrush, sample diet treats! Don't delay, schedule today! Includes comprehensive physical exam, pre-anesthesia bloodwork, intravenous catheter, supportive fluids, Sevoflurane gas anesthesia, ultrasonic scaling and polishing, day of hospitalization, at home dental care kit . *Discount available for a limited time only until March 31, 2015. New patients welcome!
Website: Coolridge Animal Hospital Coolridge Animal Hospital 6801 Old Branch Ave Camp Springs, Maryland (301) 449-1610
February 20th, celebrates National Love Your Pet Day. This “unofficial” National holiday is a day set aside to give extra attention to and pamper your pets that you love everyday. This is a good day to focus on the special relationship that you have with your pets.
Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet?
Our pets give us so much. They give us unconditional love and many health benefits which include stress relief and lower blood pressure. Our pets give us these benefits without asking for anything in return. So on February 20 (and everyday) show your appreciation to your pets!
National Love Your Pet Day, maybe you want to buy your pet a special treat or a new toy, or maybe you want to take them for an extra long walk or just spend some extra special time with them. Whatever you decide to do, spoil and appreciate your pets!
Do you know your pet's weight? Use this healthy weight calculator to find out if your pet is at their ideal weight.
Obesity in pets is common in many countries. Rates of overweight and obesity in dogs in the United States ranges from 23% to 41% with about 5.1% obese. Rates of obesity in cats was slightly higher at 6.4%.[1] In Australia, the rate of obesity among dogs in a veterinary setting has been found to be 7.6%. The risk of obesity in dogs but not cats is related to whether or not their owners are obese.
To check your pet's weight, click here:Calculator
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By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — When a Code Blue is effect, animal advocates see red if they find dogs being left out in the extreme cold.
A new city ordinance can fine owners up to $500 if their dog is outside during weather that’s 20 degrees or colder.
ACCT Philly handles the complaints. So far they’ve made 16 site visits.
Susan Cosby of ACCT Philly says, “We want to make sure every owner is aware of their obligations to protect their pet and so we are going to talk to each owner about each individual case.”
It's a given that the dogs at Kenton County Animal Shelter will be fed, given water and cared for, but Parker Willman wanted more.
So for the last year and a half, the 8-year-old from Independence has collected leashes, collars, durable toys, blankets, clothing and other items for the canines of Kenton County.
(PETS/DOG BEHAVIOR/PUPPIES) Many pet guardians become concerned with the amount of yawning displayed through their dog or puppy’s habits. Is it possible that dogs are that tired all the time? The Dogtime article below reveals the meaning behind dogs’ yawns, and explains how yawning can actually be a form of communication between you and your pet. — Global Animal
I have a unique perspective on owners’ relationships with their veterinarians. I provide end of life care, including hospice and euthanasia services, in my patients’ homes. Clients tend to be very candid with me regarding their feelings about their “regular” veterinarians. Most have nothing but good things to say about the doctors, technicians, and support staff, but every now and then, I’ll hear a comment that makes me think, “Why do you keep going back?”
NEW YORK — Two new breeds will make their debuts at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City this week, joining a field of nearly 200 blood lines competing in this year's edition of the prestigious canine showcase.
The show, in its 139th year, is billed as the second-longest continuously running sporting event in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby.
Not all large dog breeds need a ton of space. The featured breeds in this video are perfect for apartment living so long as they are walked daily. If you know any of these breeds personally, then you know this is totally accurate. My brother-in-law’s Great Dane is my favorite pillow, right George? Woof! LOL!
