National Pet ID Week - April 18 - 24 by Leslie Miller, Veterinary Technician at Fenway Bark

In celebration of National Pet Id Week (April 18 – 24th) we’ve compiled a list of ways your pet can be identified, should he/she become lost.

ID Tags –

Your pet should always wear a collar with a tag that has his/her name, address and phone number. You can get personalized ID tags made at your local pet supply store or there are many options online.

Red Dingo provides high quality tags for a decent price and ships them to your door! 

Fenway Bark is a proud supplier of Red Dingo tags.  Come in and order your custom tag for your pet!

Rabies Tags –

When your dog is vaccinated for Rabies, your vet will provide you with a tag that has a unique number on it, as well as the Vet’s address and phone number. This is another way your pet can be identified should he become lost.

Dog Licenses –

Most Cities require dog owners to purchase a license for their dog. (Proof of current rabies vaccine is required.) You will be given a tag with a unique number on it. Should your dog become lost, the finder could call City Hall of the town that the license was issued in and find out the contact information of the owner.

Check your town’s website for more information on dog licensing in your area.

Custom Collars / Leashes –

There are many places out there that sell collars and leashes with your pets name and your phone number embroidered on them.

Lucky Pet and LL Bean offer options as well as the vetted suppliers for Fenway Bark.

GPS collars –

There are a few products that have come on the market that utilize GPS technology to pinpoint your dog’s location. However, they too can be easily removed and are pretty expensive.

Garmin Astro DC 40 Collar:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8576&ra=true

Spotlight GPS Pet Locator:
http://www.spotlightgps.com

Zoombak GPS Locator:
http://www.zoombak.com/products/pet/


Microchipping -

While fancy tags and collars are nice, they can slip off or be removed by thieves. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and are inserted via syringe between your pet’s shoulder blades, just under the skin. While the needle is slightly larger than those used for vaccines, the procedure does not require any anesthesia and causes minimal discomfort for your pet.

Once implanted, the microchip can be read by universal scanners at vet’s offices, shelters, animal control, etc. Each chip has a unique number that identifies your pet. Once the number is found they call the microchip company to get the contact information* for the owner. The microchip companies also provide a tag for your pet’s collar with the microchip number printed on it.

*PLEASE NOTE: It’s really important to keep your contact information up-to-date when you move or change phone numbers.

Microchipping is very affordable – at approximately $35 - $50. Some pet stores, shelters and even vet offices, have low cost microchipping clinics. It’s a small price to pay to increase the chances that your loved one will be returned to you if lost or stolen!


Home Again Microchips:
http://public.homeagain.com/

Avid Microchips:
http://www.avidid.com/

Visit our Boutique on April 13, 2011 and receive $10 off a $50 or more purchase!

Fenway Bark in the news!

Fenway Bark Stay.Play.Heal. was featured today on Boston.com!  Click here to read the article!

Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month - by Emily Hines, Guest Attendant, Fenway Bark

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. It is caused by a spirochete (bacteria) species of the Borrelia burgdorferi group.

What symptoms should I look for?

The early signs of Lyme disease in dogs are most commonly loss of appetite, fever and lethargy. Lameness may occur at the same time or may occur later. In some dogs, enlargement of the lymph nodes (usually generalized enlargement) occurs. In dogs, skin signs, heart disease, kidney problems and neurologic signs are reported to be rare. Symptoms of Lyme disease are usually delayed for several months but start to occur about 2 months after exposure and should show up by 5 to 6 months after a dog or cat is bitten by a tick carrying the bacteria.

How can I protect my dog?

•             You may request a test for Lyme disease from your veterinarian during your pets annual exam

•             Regular use of a flea preventative that protects against ticks as well; such as Frontline or Advantage (available at Fenway Bark!)

•             Check your pet for ticks after they go outside

•             Ability to differentiate an Ixodes tick from other ticks may help the veterinarian identify if it is a carrier of Lyme disease.

What should I do if my dog has Lyme disease?

There are a number of antibiotics from which to choose. It is important that you keep your dog warm and dry, and you will need to control its activity until the clinical signs have improved. The recommended period for treatment is four weeks. Your veterinarian is unlikely to recommend dietary changes. Do not use medications unless they have been recommended by your veterinarian.

Fenway Bark offers a full line of products for flea and tick prevention.  Stop by our store soon to pick up your supply!

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month by Emily Hines, Guest Attendant, Fenway Bark

What is considered Cruelty to animals?

Animals without proper shelter, in need of medical attention, not receiving proper nutrition, animal fighting and animals abandoned when an owner moves away.

What are the consequences for Cruelty to animals?

In the state of Massachusetts if you are found guilty of animal cruelty you may receive up to a $1000.00 fine, seizure of your animal or up to one year imprisonment.

What can I do if I think an animal is being abused?

Contact your local law enforcement/animal control office or the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department.

The MSPCA Law Enforcement Department Administration is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. When calling after hours, leave a brief message along with your name, and the area code and phone number where you may be reached during normal business hours. MSPCA Law Enforcement Department voice mail will not be monitored during weekends, nights or holidays, and voice messages left will not be received until the next business day.  In the event of an emergency after hours, local city/town police departments may be contacted. All Calls are Confidential.

Outside Massachusetts, contact your local police department, animal control or animal protection organization.

How can I help? 

• Always make sure your pet is wearing an I.D. tag
• Prepare a Disaster plan that includes your pet
• Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered

*If you see something, say something! Animals don’t have a voice of their own, so we need to protect them.  We collectively share the responsibility to keep animals safe.

National Poison Prevention Week

National Poison Prevention Week

- by Miriam Woodruff, DVM, Fenway Bark Stay.Play.Heal.

March 20^th – 26^th marks National Poison Prevention Week.  To celebrate the importance of this week, Fenway Bark would like to remind everyone of some easy ways to keep your pets safe!  Following is a list of common things around the house and yard that can be harmful to your pet.

At the end of the list are helpful tips about what to do if you suspect your dog or cat might have gotten into something toxic, including symptoms to watch out for.

Remember to always stay calm if you suspect your pet has been poisoned!  Make sure your dog or cat is in a safe place, and call your local emergency veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline (888) 426-4435.

Common Food Hazards

Many everyday human foods are harmful and even lethal to pets. Read this list carefully. You might be surprised!  For example, did you know that mere raisins (and grapes!) can cause acute kidney failure and even death in your dog in a matter of hours or days?  Or that macadamia nuts can cause temporary paralysis? Click on the links at the bottom of the page to learn more.

• Alcoholic beverages
• Avocado
• Bones that have been cooked (raw bones are okay)
• Chocolate (in all forms)
• Coffee (in all forms)
• Fatty foods
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy or spoiled foods
• Onions, onion powder
• Raisins   
• Salmon that’s raw (deadly – salmon poisoning disease)
• Salt
• Tomatoes
• Wild mushrooms
• Yeast dough
• Xylitol (sweetener used in candies, sugar-free gums and mints)

Warm Weather Hazards

Keep a close eye on your pets in the warmer seasons. Be sure toxins are out of reach or safely locked up. Even seemingly harmless stuff as cocoa mulch can be extremely toxic to dogs: it contains the same chemical that’s in chocolate.  Be on the lookout for toxicity symptoms in your pet, and call your veterinarian if you have questions.

• Animals—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
• Blue-green algae in ponds
• Citronella candles  
• Compost piles
• Fertilizers
• Flea products
• Fly baits containing methomyl
• Herbicides
• Mulch with cocoa
• Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
• Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde
• Swimming-pool treatment supplies

Medication

Human medications can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses. You might be tempted to give your dog or cat some Tylenol - don’t!  Tylenol can cause death within hours in cats, and a day or two in dogs.  Don’t give your pet any medication or supplements without consulting a veterinarian. In the case of accidental ingestion, call your vet right away.

• Anti-cancer drugs
• Antidepressants
• Cold medicines
• Diet Pills
• Pain killers of ANY KIND
• Vitamins

Cold Weather Hazards

Some household products like antifreeze are sweet and tasty, increasing the likelihood that your pet could ingest some. Be sure these products are out of reach. Some products such as ice melts are now available in pet-safe forms.

• Antifreeze
• Ice melting products
• Liquid potpourri
• Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards

Be sure your cleaning supplies and other household hazards on this list are safely out of reach of pets and in a secure place. 

·       Baits for rodents, snails, slugs or other pests

·       Batteries

·       Cleaning supplies, such as bleach, acids, alkalis and other detergents

·       Fabric softener sheets

·       Insecticides

·       Mothballs

·       Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

·       Rat and mouse poisons of any kind

Plants and Flowers

Many house plants and outdoor plants are harmful if ingested by your pet. For instance, lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats, while sago palms can cause liver failure in dogs and cats. Keep house plants and bouquets away from your dogs and cats.  Be sure to click on the links below for more information on the variety of toxic plants that are a danger to your animals, and what they look like.

What to Do IF!

If you think your dog or cat has been poisoned:

·         Stay calm!

·         Secure your pet in a safe place

·         Do NOT give any home antidotes

·         Do NOT induce vomiting without consulting a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline

What if your pet seems normal?

If you suspect that your pet may have become exposed to something toxic, but is not showing signs of illness, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435.  Not all exposure situations require an immediate trip to the clinic, but your vet will know for sure.

If your pet does NOT SEEM NORMAL, call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline or your local emergency veterinarian right away.

Here are some symptoms never to ignore:

·         drooling

·         vomiting/diarrhea

·         weakness

·         convulsions

·         difficulty breathing

·         staggering

While many things will make a dog drool, vomit, be tired or have convulsions, this combination in an otherwise healthy pet should immediately alert you to the possibility of poisoning.

As always, STAY CALM!  If your dog is showing combinations of the above symptoms, call your local emergency veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline (888)426-4435 right away.

Have the numbers ready!

You should have the number of your local veterinarian AND the number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline conveniently located in your house and in your wallet/purse (or better yet, stored on speed-dial on your phone).

Information you will need when call your emergency vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline at (888) 426-4435

When you call your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435, be ready with the following:

·         species, breed, age, sex, weight of your pet

·         symptoms

·         information about the exposure, including the toxic agent or poison if you know it, and the time elapsed since the time of exposure

·         save the product container or package for reference, if possible

·         collect in a sealable plastic bag any material your pet may have chewed or vomited

Some Useful Links

ASPCA Poison Control Center

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

 ASPCA List of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

Cornell University Searchable Database of Poisonous Plants

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html

How can I check to see if my pet food has been recalled?

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

How to make a Pet First Aid Kit

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/animal-poison-control-faq.aspx#GI3

Best Pricing for Thanksgiving Holiday Boarding Now Available!