The Cat/Dog Log is back

About a year ago I stopped posting to my other blog "The Cat/Dog Log" because of time constraints. However, I have decided to get it going again, so if you're looking for pet information or funny pet pictures, please visit The Cat/Dog Log. We look forward to seeing you there.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Colds & Flu

The next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, try putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ears. It's been found to be effective about 4 times out of 5 if done when symptoms first appear. Results usually occur within 12 to 14 hours. The following is an excerpt from an article on the use of peroxide:

In 1928, Dr. Richard Simmons hypothesized that colds and flu virus enter our bodies through the ear canal. It was Dr. Simmons' hypothesis that, contrary to what we have been taught, we usually can catch the two via the ear canal and not through the eyes or nose or mouth as most of us believe. Dr. Simmons' findings were dismissed by the medical community.

According to Dr. Simmons, keeping your fingers out of our ears will greatly reduce our chances of catching colds and the flu, but we need to keep in mind that these 2 are microscopic and can be air-born and may land on/in our ears. Once these microscopic bodies have entered the inner-ear, they then begin to breed, and from there they have access to every avenue throughout our bodies to travel, and infect and make us sick.

To read the entire article, click here.

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Facts

While Thanksgiving is a day to gather with family and friends and share delicious foods, those same foods can be deadly to your pets. The following is a pet safety fact sheet provided by Dr. Bill Craig, DVM and his dog Maizie pictured in her Thanksgiving apparel, which I wanted to share with you:

HOW IS THANKSGIVING DINNER DANGEROUS FOR PETS?

The dangers posed to pets around Thanksgiving are as bountiful as the bread stuffing. In general, pets' stomachs are not accustomed to handle the heavy seasoning we use to cook and prepare our foods. Some of the foods commonly found on the Thanksgiving menu are toxic to pets. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and fat trimmings or very fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis in dogs and cats. Even if it is just a scrap from the table, it may be enough to cause an upset stomach in our pets, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.

LIST OF COMMON THANKSGIVING FOODS PETS NEED TO AVOID:

• Bones - Many pet owners want to hand over left over bones from the turkey, ham or steak to the dog, but these small bones can become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestinal tract or break into splinters, causing extensive damage to the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract if swallowed, even puncturing the small intestines.

• Dough and Cake Batter - The combination of raw bread dough and the pet's body heat can cause the dough to rise inside the stomach, resulting in vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating. The batter used in cakes and pies usually contains raw eggs which could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

• Onion and Garlic - These ingredients contain sulfides, which are toxic to animals and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, especially in cats, causing Heinz body anemia.

• Sage - This, as well as many other herbs, contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets, especially in cats.

• Raisins and Grapes - They are a choking hazard to pets and ingestion of either can cause significant kidney damage.

• Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts - These can cause weakness, depression, incoordination, and tremors. In addition, the high fat levels of these nuts may cause pancreatitis in dogs, resulting severe vomiting and diarrhea.

• Chocolate - Chocolate can be toxic for pets, or even fatal, due to a substance called theobromine found in chocolate.

• Mushrooms - These can produce damage to a number of internal organs, including kidneys, liver, and the central nervous system. If a dog eats mushrooms, seizures, coma, vomiting, even death can occur.

• Chewing Gum and Candy - Many contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a severe drop in blood glucose in dogs and As soon as 30 minutes after ingestion, dogs can begin to show signs of depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. Xylitol may also lead to delayed onset damage to the liver occurring days to weeks after ingestion. Xylitol toxicity in pets may be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.

• Beer - Alcohol, especially the hops in beer, can be particularly harmful to dogs, causing intoxication, panting, fever, racing heart, liver damage, even coma, seizures and death.

(this fact sheet is courtesy of Dr. Bill Craig, DVM at PurinaCare.com)