Montgomery Parks urged dog owners to keep their pets on a leash and out of the lakes There are elevated levels of a toxic substance that could be deadly to dogs and harmful to people in two lakes in Montgomery County, Maryland, officials say. Blue-green algae released the toxin microcystin in Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park. If ingested, microcystin can cause liver damage to people and pets. The toxin often appears at the lakes during the summer. "An algal bloom toxicity can be very dangerous and possibly lethal if not treated when clinical signs start occurring," Dr. Matthew Antokowiak, a veterinarian at AtlasVet in Washington, D.C., previously told News4 in 2017. Montgomery Parks said in a statement Tuesday that pet owners should keep their dogs on leashes and not allow them to drink or come into contact with the water. To read more on this story, click here:Algae Toxin That Can Kill Dogs Discovered in 2 Montgomery County Lakes
For rescue dogs, this is their day. Watch the first dog show that does not judge a dog on their breed, but rather their personality. Dogs do not have to be purebred to compete, and mutts are our favorites. The only requirement is that the dogs all be rescues. This dog show will be showcasing the dogs’ best traits out of 10 categories. Rebecca Romijn and Rich Eisen are the hosts, and the program features some celebrities as the judges. To read more on this story, click here:Spotlight Is On Rescue Dogs In First-Ever American Rescue Dog Show
An act of kindness was captured in a video when a disabled man got out of his wheelchair in order to shuffle down a grass embankment in order to rescue a small kitten that was caught in a storm drain. 30-year-old Abu Fathiyyaturahma Menk Abdun Mujtahid first noticed the kitten struggling to hold onto the concrete barriers in Sabah, Malaysia, last Saturday morning. Despite his inability to use his legs, Abu didn’t hesitate to get out of his wheelchair to get down to the stranded cat. His friend, who is also in a wheelchair, managed to film the moment that Abu rescued the kitten. When Abu first reached the drain, he realized that he was too far away to reach the kitten so he then readjusted his position in order to try again. To read more on this story, click here:Disabled Man Leaves His Wheelchair And Risks His Life To Rescue Kitten Stuck In Drain
Lynn Wainman arrived to her Hollywood home on Valentine’s Day to find that it had been ransacked. Her jewelry was stolen, but worst of all, her beloved dog named Daisy was missing as well. Wainman had adopted Daisy from the shelter more than seven years ago. Daisy has a severe skin condition that requires medication. Without it, her skin could become very bad, so Wainman worried about this as well. Months after Daisy had gone missing, a good Samaritan saw her on a road in North Miami Beach and took her in to try and find the owner. They scanned the dog for a microchip, which she had, but it still had the previous owner’s information. But with a lot of hard work, they finally were able to find Wainman. “I feel very excited because she’s back home and I know she’s going to be around people who love her and who are going to care about her,” said the good Samaritan, Joceline Paria. To read more on this story, click here: Dog Stolen In Home Burglary Found Months Later In Awful Condition
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A blind pet does have some special needs, including a protected environment. This is particularly important because they behave so normally that you may forget that they are handicapped. Hazards for a blind pet include swimming pools, traffic and balconies. A blind dog should always be kept on a leash when outside of a fenced yard; you may find a harness works better than a collar for guiding your pet on walks outdoors. There are tools available to help you keep your pet safe while still allowing some freedom. For example, there is an alarm you can attach to your pets collar to alert you if they fall in the swimming pool. While there are certainly some things that they may be unable to do, most of the activities that are important to our pets are still possible. A blind dog or cat will behave remarkably normally in their own home. Animals that lose vision gradually appear to adjust better than those that lose vision rapidly. In both cases, with a bit of patience, we have found that almost every pet can make this adjustment. They will remember where their food and water are and rarely bump into things in the home. Try not to rearrange the furniture and you will be amazed at how well your pet will remember the floor plan, even going up and down stairs. They will still play with toys and may prefer a ball with a bell or a squeak toy. They will enjoy interacting with their human family in most all of the same ways as they did before they lost vision. A blind pet can continue in every way in their primary role as a loving companion.
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Cats, dogs, parrots and even fish are right or left-handed, scientists have revealed. The discovery was made by psychologists from Queen's University Belfast, who as part of their research played with 42 pet cats for weeks on end. Dogs are the same - until they are spayed or neutered, when the difference disappears, suggesting hormones play a role in left or right-handedness. They found that females are 'right-handed' while toms favor the left.
Paw preference: Female dogs favor their right front paw and males choose their left, according to the study. The scientists also reported that parrots will pick up objects with their 'dominant' foot, toads are mostly right-handed and fish will have a preference to left or right when they dodge a predator - and even humpback whales prefer the right side of their jaws when feeding. Dogs wag their tails to the right when relaxed and to the left when agitated, this week's New Scientist reports. The experts said: 'Male and female cats differ in their behavioral patterns, for example hunting styles and parental care, and it is possible that these place different demands on motor functioning.'
Female felines use their right paw while toms tend to use their left Dr Culum Brown, a behavioral ecologist, said they also tested the theory with parrots: "Anything they are interested in they will pick up with their dominant foot". Curiously, those parrots that favor their left or right rather than liking both equally, have been shown to be brainier. With goldfish, the way they dodge predators is likely to allow them to use a specific eye and side of the brain to deal with the threat. To test it out, place an unfamiliar object in the center of your fish tank and watch which way your pet swims round it. Toads, however, prefer their right, and pounce more quickly on morsels of food that enter their line of vision from their right. Humpback whales prefer to use the right side of their jaws to scrape up sand eels from the ocean floor. While there are advantages in following the crowd, it can also be good to be different. For instance, those humans or animals that are left-handed, or pawed, in a right-handed world, have the surprise on their side when they launch an attack.
Most ticks do not carry diseases, and most tick bites do not cause serious health problems. But it is important to remove a tick as soon as you find it. Removing the tick completely may help you avoid diseases such as Lyme disease that the tick may pass on during feeding, or a skin infection where it bit you. When you return home from areas where ticks might live, carefully examine your skin and scalp for ticks. Check your pets, too.
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Baking soda is a natural cleaner and deodorizer that every pet owner likely has on hand. It’s a good option if you wish to avoid cleaning products that contain potentially toxic chemicals or perfumes. Baking soda contains no harmful chemicals and poses no danger to children or pets unless it is ingested in large amounts. Always consult your veterinarian before using baking soda on your pet and spot test before using baking soda to clean carpets and furniture. How Does Baking Soda Work? Pet urine is usually acidic, which plays a role in its ability to produce a foul-smelling odor. Baking soda is a base and pet urine is acidic. When you put them together, baking soda chemically has the ability to neutralize acidic substances and make them more alkaline, eliminating the odors. Here are some uses of baking soda for pet owners: Deodorize Your Home sprinkle baking soda on carpets and furniture to get rid of pet odors in the home. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then vacuum it up. Always test a spot first to make sure the baking soda doesn’t discolor your carpet or upholstery. Deodorize Your Car Baking soda will also eliminate doggy odors in your car. Sprinkle it on the seats and floor mats. The longer the powder sits, the more odor it will absorb. Vacuum all surfaces and throw out the disposable vacuum bag immediately, just in case it contains any fleas, ticks or mites. Another trick to keep your vehicle smelling fresh is put a tablespoon of baking soda in the ashtrays. Deodorize Bedding Put pet bedding in your washing machine. Use a mild (no dyes or fragrance) laundry detergent and 1 cup of baking soda. Place the bed in the dryer for 15 minutes with a pet-safe dryer sheet, and if it’s still wet, let it air dry to avoid shrinking. The dryer sheet is important to use when drying because it will help to remove excess hair from the bedding. If your pet spends time rolling around in your bed, when you wash your sheets, add 1/2 cup baking soda into the washing machine to neutralize the odors. Clean Up Pet Accidents Baking soda can help you clean up your dog or cat’s “accidents”. Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and baking soda to create a runny paste. Apply the paste to the soiled carpet or furniture, let it sit for a few minutes, then sponge it up. When it’s dried, vacuum the area. Before using the paste or applying baking powder on its own, blot up as much of the liquid as possible. It helps to place a book on the cloth and stand on it to ensure you get it all out. Freshen the Litter Box Many brands of kitty litter contain baking soda for its ability to neutralize odors. If your current kitty litter doesn’t contain baking soda, you can sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box before adding the litter. Dry Shampoo Your Cat or Dog Baking soda also works as an odor eliminator for pets between baths. In between wet shampoos, baking soda may be used for dry shampooing dogs and cats. Start by brushing your pet to remove any dirt or loose hair. You may want to do the next step outside. Rub baking soda into your pet’s fur and massage it into their skin, making sure not to set it into their eyes. Let the baking soda sit on your animal’s fur for five minutes and then brush out the fur. To remove any remaining baking soda, rub your pet down with a dry towel, otherwise your dog or cat might lick its fur and ingest the baking soda. While baking soda is harmless for your pet to ingest in small quantities, it’s best to remove as much as possible. Consult with your vet before using baking soda as a dry shampoo to make sure your pet is not allergic to it. Wet Shampoo Your Dog Unless your dog has rolled around in dirt or sand, you only need to use a wet shampoo every two or three months. Many pet shampoos contain baking soda which helps eliminate odors. However, you can make your own shampoo by mixing three tablespoons baking soda with one quart warm water. Wash your dog with the solution and massage it into his coat. Give the baking soda a few minutes to neutralize odors. Next, apply your regular, vet-approved dog shampoo and massage it into your dog’s skin. Rinse your dog in clear water and make sure you do not leave any shampoo residue, which can make your pet itch. Help Toenail Accidents If you trim your pet’s nails too close, you may accidentally draw blood. To stop bleeding, dip the nail in baking soda and applying pressure. Get Rid of Skunk Smell If your pet is sprayed by a skunk, baking soda alone will not remove the foul odor. A mixture of ¼ cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide is a recommended solution. It’s best to use this mixture outdoors or in a basement sink to avoid bringing the odor into your home. Do not get the solution in your pet’s eyes and do not leave the mixture on too long or the peroxide will bleach your pet’s fur. Rinse your pet well, then follow with a vet-approved pet shampoo and rinse again. Towel dry your pet before bringing him into the house.
