The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The Hero Rats of Africa Sniff Out Land Mines — and TB Infections


MOROGORO, Tanzania — The grass is still damp with dew as the sun begins to glint over the Uluguru Mountains. It’s only 7 a.m. in Morogoro, Tanzania, but Oprah and Malala and Taylor Swift and the others are already hard at work. They are heroes in the region, literal saviors to thousands of Tanzanians and those in the international community as well. It is on this large swath of land that giant African pouched rats, often named by their handlers after celebrities or loved ones, are meticulously trained for nine months to sniff out land mines. Down the dusty red dirt road, you’ll find others just like them — but there the rats are training in a laboratory, learning how to detect tuberculosis amid thousands of samples.

It is here in the field that APOPO, a nonprofit organization that trains African giant pouched rats to undertake such endeavors, works its magic. The humans are patient, methodical, while the rats seem eager to learn — an interaction reminiscent of a new owner training a puppy. After each rat undergoes its daily weigh-in — they are generally between two and three pounds — it is put in a harness to walk one of the areas marked off on the field. It paces the ground, scratching feverishly when it detects a dismantled land mine beneath the surface. An APOPO worker uses a clicker to notify the rat that it is correct. The rat then scrambles to receive its treat of bananas or peanuts. After nine months of training, they are shipped out to APOPO’s partner organizations in various countries, where they will detect and help dismantle thousands of land mines that have been left over from decades of prior conflicts.

To read more on this story, click here: The Hero Rats of Africa Sniff Out Land Mines — and TB Infections

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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Is It Okay To Sleep With Your Pet?


We love sleeping with our pets, but some veterinary scientists don’t agree. They say that sleeping with and “kissing” your animals on their little pet lips puts you at risk for some serious medical problems, even when those pusses and pooches are seemingly healthy.

According to “Zoonoses in the Bedroom,” a study published in the February issue of the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases:

“The risk of contracting something is rare, but if you’re that person who gets a disease from a pet, rare doesn’t matter that much,” says the paper’s co-author Bruno Chomel, a professor at the University of California-Davis school of veterinary medicine and an expert in zoonoses, the transmission of disease from animal to human. “I know this will make me unpopular, but pets really don’t belong in your bed.”



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Would You Eat this Albino Burmese Python Cake?


The photo of this Albino Burmese Python looks so real, Francesca Pitcher of North Star Cakes in Kent, U.K., was prompted to add this tagline: "****I DO NOT SELL SNAKES****. This photo is of a snake CAKE made to look like an Amelanistic Burmese Python for a birthday party."

Yes, the snake is a fake. It's a fake snake cake.

And it truly is awesome, as many of the commenters on North Star Cakes' Facebook page have stated emphatically.

"The detail is absolutely spot-on!! As a long-time reptile keeper I know you would do well to advertise this in local pet shops and reptile specialists."

Indeed. Just take a look at this real Albino Burmese Python for comparison sake. The fake snake cake has an incredible resemblance to the real Albino Burmese Python, which is one of the six largest snakes in the world with most averaging 12-feet long. But it can grow up to 19 feet, and, if not handled properly, can be quite dangerous.

The only danger with Pitcher's snake, however, is to the waistline.

According to the UK Daily Mail, Pitcher's now-6-year-old daughter Claudia, who loves reptiles, wanted a spooky-themed birthday party. She wanted something that would scare her friends. Pitcher suggested a snake cake.

She regretted that idea immediately and for good reason. Pitcher has a snake phobia.

From the UK Daily Mail: 

'At first I couldn't even look at the images of them online but as I kept researching them I realised they weren't so bad and had quite beautiful patterns.

'Once I had got over my phobia I just cracked on with it...'

Over the course of three days, Pitcher spent 12 hours baking and shaping sponge layers, using "a white chocolate fondant with special dye to make the skin and replicate the distinctive markings of the dangerous snake," according to the Daily Mail.

As it turned out, none of the kids at the birthday party were afraid of the snake. Instead, they fought over who was going to eat the head.

Would you eat this cake?









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Cat Declawing Ban Passes Unanimously in Denver


KUSA - The proposed bill that would ban declawing cats passed unanimously on Monday during a Denver City Council meeting. 

Declawing, or onychectomy, is the operation to remove an animal's claws surgically. All or most of the last bone of each of the ten front toes is removed, and tendons, nerves and ligaments that allow for normal function of the paw are severed.

To read more on this story, click here: Cat Declawing Ban Passes Unanimously in Denver

You may also be interested in reading: Denver City Councilwoman Kendra Black, to Pass a Bill That Would Make it Illegal to Declaw Your Cat, Unless it Was Deemed Medically Necessary








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Why Losing a Dog Can Be Harder Than Losing a Relative


I was 20 years old when I got my first dog. Of course, there were family dogs growing up, but this was my dog. I was living on my own for the first time, and he was mine to care for, love, and teach. It was like having a child. He relied on me for his basic life needs, like feeding, walking, and love. I relied on him for emotional support, entertainment, and love.

Though unlike a child who would grow up, move out, and start a life of his own, my dog was always going to be by my side, needing me as much as I needed him. We did everything together—we were inseparable. He meant more to me than most people in my life did, and we had a bond that no one could break. Our lives revolved around each other, in the most co-dependent kind of way. I had to plan my days around him, and he had to wait for me for anything he needed. And we gave each other our all.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Losing a Dog Can Be Harder Than Losing a Relative




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This Bird is Too Sexy for Facebook


LONDON — The quintessentially British holiday scene of a Christmas card featuring a robin redbreast in the snow was blocked from sale by Facebook after it was deemed too risqué.

Jackie Charley, the artist behind the picture, posted the image — as well as others of a squirrel and a stag — on her Facebook page late last month along with the description “making history.”

"Hilariously, Facebook has blocked my Christmas cards from becoming a product in my shop due to their shameful, sexual nature! 😂" she wrote.

"It looks like we didn't approve your item because we don't allow the sale of adult items or services (e.g. sexual enhancement items or adult videos).

“Please judge for yourself!  😉 (Can't stop laughing!) And if you'd like a pack of six at £5.99 plus postage and packaging let me know.”

To read more on this story, click here: This bird is too sexy for Facebook

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Monday, November 13, 2017

Tips on Sharing the Thanksgiving Holiday with Your Dog


As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches many of you are wondering if you can give your dog turkey ...Yes, you can!  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering your dog a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey, plain mashed potatoes and a smidge of pumpkin pie are not likely to be harmful treats for your dog. Just be sure to avoid giving foods with large amounts of onion or garlic, or any treats sweetened with xylitol, a sweetener that can lower the blood sugar of dogs.

When placing the meat in your dog's bowl, be sure to remove all pieces of bone, and the skin! Just like chicken bones, turkey bones splinter and can cause blockage or perforation of the intestine. Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis. Dogs and turkey bones aren't a good combination.

Your dog may become agitated with strangers in your home

If you plan on serving Thanksgiving dinner in your home, it’s probably a good idea to give your dog a special chew toy and put him in a secure room. With so many people coming into and out of your house, your dog may become agitated. Dogs don’t like changes in their routine and may not find mingling with strangers to be enjoyable. There’s also a higher risk of your dog escaping to the outside when there’s so much confusion.

Tips:

1. Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked.

2. Feed your dog in their dog bowl.

3. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet.

4. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your dog.

5. Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your dog.

6. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident.

7. As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your dog to escape.

8. If you think someone gave your dog too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

                           Happy Thanksgiving from The Pet Tree House! FOLLOW US!
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Tips on Sharing the Thanksgiving Holiday with Your Cat


As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches many of you are  wondering if you can give your cat turkey….Yes, you can!  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering  your cat little nibbles of a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey. Don’t give your cat any thing sweetened with xylitol, While xylitol is toxic and even potentially fatal when ingested by dogs, its effects on cats is unknown.

If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer them raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella  bacteria.

Tips:

1. Do not leave food crumbs on plates and make sure all food items are sealed in containers with lids.

2. Also place candles where cats cannot knock them over. Never leave a cat unattended in a room with lit candles. He will gravitate to them like moths to a porch light.

3. Keep stoves and countertops off-limits to cats. Electric stovetops can be very hot without changing color, and present a serious burn hazard to curious noses and tender feet.

4. You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Thanksgiving visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a Safe Room.

5. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your cat.

6. Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your cat.

7. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your cat, may end up getting scratched.

8. Sage (Salvia species) is considered to be edible in small amounts. However, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and even central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities.

9. Cats are sensitive to the effects of essential oils. Keep your cat away from the sage, if  you are cooking with this while preparing your Thanksgiving dinner.

10. As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your cat to escape. Your cat may become agitated with strangers in your home. To your pet the holidays are a confusing mix of noise, people, strange sights, sounds and smells. Make sure your cat or dog has his own space, either a crate or a separate room, to retreat to when it all becomes overwhelming. You and your pet will be happier for it.

11. If you think someone gave your cat too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your cat got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

For more information on sharing the Thanksgiving Holiday with your cat, visit the websites below:

                Happy Thanksgiving from The Pet Tree House! FOLLOW US!
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Pet Cancer Awareness Month: How Can You Protect Your Pets?


November is Pet Cancer Awareness month and the perfect opportunity to explore ways we can help protect our best friends.

Did you know that many of the cancers humans get can also affect pets?

It makes sense when you think about it. We share the same environments, are exposed to the same toxins, we share love and companionship as the human-animal bond, and our DNA or genomes are similar. The human genome and canine genome are 90% identical.

Cancer treatments vary depending on the form of cancer. Just like in humans, some dogs and cats can be treated with chemotherapy and others need to undergo amputations. The good news is that experts say 50% of pet cancers are curable if detected in the early stages.

To read more on this story, click here: Pet Cancer Awareness Month: How Can You Protect Your Pets?

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Foods That You Should Never Give Your Dog


Does your dog beat you to the table? Looking up with those puppy dog  eyes … waiting for you to drop something down to them? Stop! … and think of what you are eating.  Ask yourself, is this going to hurt them?

The experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight. As the premier animal poison control center in North America, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365  days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card. For more information visit them at ASPCA - People Foods.

Listed below are some of the foods that you should never give your dog.

Chocolate and Cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide that can adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.

Grapes and Raisins can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possible resulting in death.

Onions can cause a form of hemolytic anemia called Heinz body anemia, a condition that causes the destruction of red blood cells. Kidney damage may follow. Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate. It can damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.

Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness.

Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression.

Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain the toxin cyanide.

Baby food can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. It can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Milk and other Dairy Products  - Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Raw Eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Sugar-Free Gum - Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver damage.

Moldy or Rotten foods can cause many problems for your dog, some more serious than others. Any food that seems "past its prime" should be kept out reach. Be especially careful to keep your dog away from trash cans.

Poison Control Hotline
888-232-8870  (TOLL FREE)





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Florida Dairy Workers Seen Beating And Kicking Cows In Undercover Video


A Florida dairy farm is under criminal investigation after an undercover video from an animal rights group revealed workers kicking cows in the head and beating them with metal rods.

The video was shot by a member of Animal Recovery Mission who went undercover in August as a farm worker at Larson Dairy in Okeechobee County. The footage shows men brutally abusing cows as the bovines cower and duck their heads. In some cases, the cows are unable to get away because they are confined by bars meant to restrain them for the milking process.

Larson Dairy was a supplier of Publix Super Markets, which has announced it suspended deliveries from the farm in the wake of the video, the Associated Press reports. Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen announced Thursday that he had launched a criminal investigation into the farm.

To read more on this story, click here: Florida Dairy Workers Seen Beating And Kicking Cows In Undercover Video

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Tips on Trimming Your Dog’s Nails


If you hear your dog's paws clicking like they have on tap shoes…. it’s time for a trim! You can usually here it when they walk across a hard surface, like hardwood flooring.

Most dogs detest having their feet handled, however, if you, so clipping their nails at an early stage, they will get used to it. Always reward your dog with a treat after the trimming session.

A dog’s toenail is made up of the nail itself and the quick. The quick is the pink part of your dog’s toenails that provides the blood supply to the nail. Try to avoid cutting into the quick because it bleeds quite a bit and it’s quite sensitive.

If your dog’s nails does bleed, use kwik stop to stop the bleeding. Kwik stop is a sulfer product.  When packed on the bleeding nail it stops the bleeding almost immediately.

Dogs with black nails:

Both of my dogs had black nails.  I went out and purchased the nail clippers. After seeing that their nails were black,( I hadn’t noticed because hair usually covered their nails), I decided to let the professionals do it. I had them trimmed with they went for grooming.

The groomer told me that I can cut their nails, and showed me under the nail there is a groove and the quick has a more fleshy look to it. She said that I should always cut about an 1/8 of an inch in front of that groove.

Here is a step by step chart showing exactly how to cut dark nails. With dark nails when you trim just a bit off it will look chalky. That means you can trim a bit more. Then when you see a wetness appear and then a small dot appear stop! Usually the same length is good for all nails.

Please view the videos below showing how to properly trim your dog’s nails.






If your dog’s nails does bleed, use kwik stop to stop the bleeding. Kwik stop is a sulfer product.  When packed on the bleeding nail it stops the bleeding almost immediately.






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Foods You Should Never Give Your Cat


Do you know that you should not give your cat milk every day? According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, unless they are spoiled or moldy, milk, cheese and other dairy foods are not considered to be poisonous to pets. However, cats do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk. Feeding milk and milk-based products to cats can actually cause them to vomit or have diarrhea, which in severe cases could lead to inflammation of the pancreas. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before offering any “people food” to your pets.

Listed below are some of the foods that you should never give your cat:

Bones from Fish or Poultry - Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system

Canned Tuna (for human consumption) - Large amounts can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals. It can also lead to thiamine deficiency in cats.

Chocolate and Cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide  that can adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.

Citrus oil extracts - Can cause vomiting. Cats are more sensitive than dogs.

Dog Food - If accidental ingestion, will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.

Fat Trimmings - Can cause pancreatitis.

Fish (Raw, Canned or Cooked) - If fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.

Milk and Other Dairy Products  - Some adult cats and dogs may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.

Mushrooms - Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) - Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons - Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Raw Eggs - Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Rhubarb Leaves - Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Salt - If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String - Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Table Scraps (in large amounts) - Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Sugary Foods - Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Yeast Dough - Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Macadamia Nuts - Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Human Vitamin Supplements Containing Iron - Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Grapes, Raisins and Currants - Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Baby Food - Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats .

Alcoholic Beverages - Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Poison Control Hotline
888-232-8870  (TOLL FREE)

For anyone who may not know, the poison control number charges you $35. This goes to pay the vet in case of a phone consultation. If you ever have to call, make sure to have credit card ready.


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Does Your Pet Have an Extra Toe? – It is Called a Dewclaw


I will start off first by identifying the additional toe that your pet has…it is not a toe as I have heard people say, it is call a dewclaw.

What is a Dewclaw?

A dewclaw, commonly referred to as a Dog's thumb, is a vestigial digit  on the foot of many mammals, birds, and reptiles (including some extinct orders, like certain theropods). It commonly grows high on the leg so that in digitigrade species, when the animal is standing, it does not make contact with the ground. Dewclaws are perhaps best known in dogs, and they are often removed in young puppies, though there is debate on whether this is necessary.

I was first told about a dewclaw from my vet when I took my puppy to get shots. I asked him why he had an extra toe. He informed me that it was not a toe….”dogs don’t have toes”, he said. Then he got serious and explained what a dewclaw was and that I had the choice to have it removed. Because my dogs fur covered their dewclaws he told me to always call it to the attention of the groomer.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  says, don’t forget to trim your dog’s dewclaws as well. Most dogs just have dewclaws on their front legs, but some dogs have one, and sometimes even two, sets of dewclaws on their rear legs. If your dog doesn’t have dewclaws on his front legs, he had them surgically removed earlier in his life.

                                   
What do you if your dogs dewclaw broke and hanging?

Do not pull or cut unless you can see that it is almost not attached. It is preferable to bandage the part of the leg for giving time to it falls by itself.
Veterinarian Chevy Chase, MD



Polydactyl Cats

A polydactyl cat is a cat with a congenital physical anomaly called polydactyly (or polydactylism, also known as hyperdactyly), a type of cat body type genetic mutation that causes the cat to be born with more than the usual number of toes on one or more of its paws. Cats with this genetically inherited trait are most commonly found along the East Coast of North America (in the United States and Canada) and in South West England and Wales.





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