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Spring is probably the busiest season for homeowners to work in their yards. To do this, regularly mow lawns, remove leaf litter, and clear brush around homes. . In particular, dogs find cocoa mulch palatable and can ingest varying amounts. The study revealed that dogs consuming cocoa bean mulch may develop methylxanthine toxicosis -- a condition that can result in symptoms similar to canine chocolate poisoning. "Make sure your dog can swim because not all dogs can swim; my American Eskimo couldn't. Puppies eagerly follow children and adults directly into the pool. And dogs with flat noses likes English Toy Spaniels and Shih Tzus have a harder time breathing when in the water. To prevent dogs from drowning, install and maintain protective fencing around your pool. Additionally, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends using multiple alarms: one for the pool (to tell you when the water is disturbed) and another for the fence (to tell you when the gate is opened). Besides pool and gate alarms, immersion detectors add a layer of protection. According to Joanna Sasso of Syosset, New York, it is also important to make certain your pet can swim and that you familiarize your pet with the pool. In addition, serious problems can occur because of the pets ingesting grass that has been treated with fertilizers or pesticides. These and other chemicals are particularly dangerous because they are absorbed by the grass stalks of your lawn which, in turn, can be eaten by pets. "For example, a puppy can eat more than plants, including gravel," says Smith. According to Animal Medical Center Staff Oncologist Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, ACVIM , if a dog eats gravel or rocks, the rock may become lodged in his insides and cause an obstruction. Hohenhaus recommends that you have an extensive discussion with your veterinarian to determine the best medical procedure to remove the foreign object from the intestinal tract. "Surgery isn't always the necessary option. Moreover, she reminds us that surgery may not necessarily be successful if the foreign object has been stuck inside the pet for a few days. Many gardeners prefer to use cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, as mulch in their landscaping. 19 percent to 2. Although early published reports noted that processed cocoa bean shell mulch contains approximately 0. Pets who are also bored may try to flee to find something better or more exciting to do. Additionally, pets can be stolen from your yard. According to quotes by the National Spa and Pool Institute (NSPI), there are about seven million residential pools in the continental United States. By being familiar with garden dangers, pet owners will have an easier time of protecting their pets while they are outside in the yard. Even so, low doses can be harmful. Ingestion of cocoa mulch can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, elevated heart rate, hyperactivity and seizures. The ASPCA operates this hotline twenty four hours a day, seven days a week for a fee of $65 per case. If you call the hotline, be prepared to provide the name of what poison or product your animal was exposed to, the amount and how long ago; the species, breed, age, sex, and weight of your pet; and the symptoms the animal is displaying. Also, you need to provide your name, address, contact number, and credit card information. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have connected chemical lawn treatments to a rise in deadly cancer among household pets. Also, look for fertilizers that are labeled pet-friendly and follow instructions listed on the products. If a homeowner is treating an area in front of the home or an area in which other pets have access, alert pet owners with a warning sign purchased at home centers or hardware stores that the designated area has been treated with chemicals. 98 percent of theobromine, manufacturers now assert that current technological processing results in lower chemical residues. Although many dogs can swim, not all dogs are natural swimmers. Furthermore, many dogs drown in their owners' or neighbors' swimming pools because they cannot get out of the pool. Even if you maintain your fencing, there are additional considerations when pets are left alone in the yard. As a result of this, exhaustion is the cause of their death. . Besides avoiding composting certain foods, Goldstein recommends pet owners use tightly sealed containers for composting and collecting garbage as a preventive measure to safeguard pets. Due to the mild 2011-2012 winter temperatures across much of the United States, flea and tick populations are expected to reach extremely high levels. Discourage deer by removing plants that attract deer and by constructing physical barriers that may deter deer from entering your yard and bringing ticks with them. Additionally, use parasite control chemicals which can be purchased by homeowners, or can be used by a professional pest control experts. A one-time, springtime application of acaricide can reduce the population of ticks that cause Lyme disease by 68-100%. Additionally, pet owners should avoid use of cocoa bean mulch in landscaping around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits, and consider less toxic alternatives such as pine and cedar mulch. While a fence can serve as a privacy barrier, it can also secure pets in a yard. Also, make sure that locks are in good working order. |
Friday, 1 June 2012
Garden Dangers for Your Pet
