Here is our first video! Let us know if you have suggestions for the next show let us know. It's my first video so please excuse the nervousness. I hope you like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C871YDLqBjA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Check Us Out On Youtube!
We are excited to announce a new vlog (video blog) coming out soon on Youtube. This will be the same type of information you find here but on video. The first one should be coming out soon and will discuss things such as fostering and what is involved.
We hope you enjoy the first episode and feel free to let us know how you like it but please be gentle. :-)
Keep reading and be sure to watch our new episodes of Amy's Animals Experiences on Youtube!
For more information email us at amysanimalexperiences@gmail.com.
We hope you enjoy the first episode and feel free to let us know how you like it but please be gentle. :-)
Keep reading and be sure to watch our new episodes of Amy's Animals Experiences on Youtube!
Friday, June 28, 2013
I Want Plants But Which Ones Will Harm My Pet?
Most of us love plants and some of us even love to get outside and plant one or two. The flowers are beautiful and they help our living environment with the oxygen exchange that occurs. However, with pets we have to be careful because our little furry friends love to chew on them and a lot of plants are very toxic to animals. So which ones are toxic? Here are some lists:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Cats specifically: http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/plant-list-cats.aspx
Spanish version: http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/resources-for-spanish-speakers/17-plantas-venenosas-comunes.aspx
Ok. So now that we know what plants to avoid bringing in, what if we already have them (say outside) and don't want to get rid of them? Well, definitely be very, very diligent in watching your pet and where s/he goes and what s/he chews on. For instance, my cat Killian likes to go outside and roll around in the grass and play in the bushes. Catnip was growing behind those bushes which was leading him there and he LOVED to chew on that but nothing else except grass.
Also, be wary of the poinsettias at Christmas time but they are not as poisonous as once thought. They can cause stomach upset and mouth irritation but they aren't the deadliest plant. Oleander, however, is very poisonous and should be avoided.
These two pictures both show Oleander but also show how different the two plants can appear. If you are not sure what type of plant you have around in your yard please either take a picture or take some with you to a garden store and ask them.
This would mean more peace of mind for you while you are enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors with your furry loved one.
If there's anything I have learned over the years is that I will not take any chances with my pets. I may be overprotective sometimes but they depend on me and I want what is best for them as I would my human children. There's obviously no reason to panic every time you see a plant but just try to be proactive when you are outside or even bringing plants indoors. If your cat likes to eat grass then you can always get some "cat grass" and grow it indoors for your cat to chew on which is a great option.
If there is an accidental ingestion, you need to call your local poison control center and/or your vet as quickly as possible. Medical intervention will be necessary no matter what type of plant and if you think about it (hard to do in the moment) take an example of the plant with you so it can hopefully be identified so your vet will know what type of plant it is and what to expect from your pet regarding signs and symptoms.
If you have any comments or questions please let us know. We'd love to hear from you. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook as well. As always, Thanks For Reading!
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Cats specifically: http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/plant-list-cats.aspx
Spanish version: http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/resources-for-spanish-speakers/17-plantas-venenosas-comunes.aspx
Ok. So now that we know what plants to avoid bringing in, what if we already have them (say outside) and don't want to get rid of them? Well, definitely be very, very diligent in watching your pet and where s/he goes and what s/he chews on. For instance, my cat Killian likes to go outside and roll around in the grass and play in the bushes. Catnip was growing behind those bushes which was leading him there and he LOVED to chew on that but nothing else except grass.
Also, be wary of the poinsettias at Christmas time but they are not as poisonous as once thought. They can cause stomach upset and mouth irritation but they aren't the deadliest plant. Oleander, however, is very poisonous and should be avoided.
 |
| White Oleander |
 |
| Yellow Oleander |
This would mean more peace of mind for you while you are enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors with your furry loved one.
If there's anything I have learned over the years is that I will not take any chances with my pets. I may be overprotective sometimes but they depend on me and I want what is best for them as I would my human children. There's obviously no reason to panic every time you see a plant but just try to be proactive when you are outside or even bringing plants indoors. If your cat likes to eat grass then you can always get some "cat grass" and grow it indoors for your cat to chew on which is a great option.
If there is an accidental ingestion, you need to call your local poison control center and/or your vet as quickly as possible. Medical intervention will be necessary no matter what type of plant and if you think about it (hard to do in the moment) take an example of the plant with you so it can hopefully be identified so your vet will know what type of plant it is and what to expect from your pet regarding signs and symptoms.
If you have any comments or questions please let us know. We'd love to hear from you. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook as well. As always, Thanks For Reading!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
You've Found A Baby Kitten Or Puppy...Now What?
Finding baby kittens and puppies can stress anyone if you love animals because the first question is normally "what do I do with it?" Here's some good information about what to do and if you're up to it some supplies you can get to feed the little one.
http://www.kittenbaby.com/
http://puppies.about.com/od/NewOwners/a/Development-Birth-to-3-Months.htm
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-newborn-puppy-care.aspx
http://www.2ndchance.info/orphanpuppy.htm
The links above provide some really good information about bottle feeding and the development stages of both kittens and puppies. As far as guessing their age, I have personally found it useful to calculate it at 4 ounces per week of life. For instance, if the kitten weighs 8 ounces we can safely assume he/she is 2 weeks old. Obviously this is a guesstimate since the only way to know exactly how old your baby is is to see them born.
These guys are really super cute, but they are deceivingly a lot of work. They are also extremely busy figuring out what's appropriate behavior and what is not and will play almost non-stop. They will also fill a litterbox so it is extremely important to stay on top of that as well. Kittens defecate their body weight every day which is quite amazing given how small they are.
These guys are even more work in that potty training is involved. They have to learn to go outside and not in your home! That requires lots and lots of trips outside to show them where they can go potty. Their bladders are also not as big so they will have to go a lot more than their adult counterparts.
http://www.kittenbaby.com/
http://puppies.about.com/od/NewOwners/a/Development-Birth-to-3-Months.htm
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-newborn-puppy-care.aspx
http://www.2ndchance.info/orphanpuppy.htm
The links above provide some really good information about bottle feeding and the development stages of both kittens and puppies. As far as guessing their age, I have personally found it useful to calculate it at 4 ounces per week of life. For instance, if the kitten weighs 8 ounces we can safely assume he/she is 2 weeks old. Obviously this is a guesstimate since the only way to know exactly how old your baby is is to see them born.
These babies are extremely cute and sweet but if you find one or more then it is important you check with a local vet or rescue organization if you aren't sure what to do. It is work but definitely worth it in the end.
If you have any questions, comments or need information on how to go about finding a local rescue organization please let us know. Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook. As always, thank you for reading!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Should You Avoid The Asphalt When Walking Your Dog? Why?
Since it's officially summer time here in the United States we need to start thinking about how hot not only we can get during the day but also how hot the pavement gets because we walk our dogs on that hot pavement and it can do damage. If you have ever walked barefoot across a parking lot in the summer time you know it hurts. It's the same thing for your dog. We cannot think just because they are animals and have paw pads that they are indestructible because that is simply not the case. If they walk too long on the hot pavement it will burn the skin off those pads.
This is what can happen if your dog is allowed to walk to long on the hot pavement. It's painful and obviously need treatment. If you live in a place where it doesn't get hot then you will need to protect their little feet from extreme cold if that is your weather. Most cold weather places do use mitts on their dogs paws to protect them from the ice and snow. That is something that will protect your dog from the heat as well. Just be careful that this doesn't overheat your dog because animals release heat through the pads in their feet as well as their tongues and other mucus membranes so pay very close attention to their breathing and take water along for them as well so they can cool off too. Walking in the shade or grass is best, if possible. If it's too hot for you to go without shoes it will be too hot for your dog.
http://www.activedogs.com/product.php?id=125
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753821
The above links are for two types of mittens for your dog's paws when walking in cold or hot weather. I highly recommend these for hot summer days and cold snowy or icy weather or if you just want to keep your dog from sliding on slick surfaces to prevent shoulder and hip injuries. It will be a very weird sensation for them at first but they will get used to it and will be pros at walking in them in no time!
If you have concerns about this please ask your vet or trainer to get suggestions or advice. We want your pet as safe as possible.
We welcome comments, questions and concerns so do not hesitate to ask. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook! As always, thanks for reading.
http://www.activedogs.com/product.php?id=125
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753821
The above links are for two types of mittens for your dog's paws when walking in cold or hot weather. I highly recommend these for hot summer days and cold snowy or icy weather or if you just want to keep your dog from sliding on slick surfaces to prevent shoulder and hip injuries. It will be a very weird sensation for them at first but they will get used to it and will be pros at walking in them in no time!
If you have concerns about this please ask your vet or trainer to get suggestions or advice. We want your pet as safe as possible.
We welcome comments, questions and concerns so do not hesitate to ask. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook! As always, thanks for reading.
Friday, June 21, 2013
The First Day Of Summer! Don't Leave Pets In The Car.
It's officially the first day of summer here in the United States. That means the hotter temperatures are here and in some cases have been around for a while already. So what does this mean for your pets? Well first and foremost they should always have access to water while they are outside. Animals do not sweat so it is harder for them to release body heat to cool themselves down.
If you see your dog panting harder than normal or your cat panting at all this means they are too hot and need to be cooled down. How is this done? First you need hose your dog off with cool water and get him/her in the shade. Once this is done take them indoors where there is air conditioning. If your dog is outdoor only then you should consider more shade and providing more water and potentially ice water at times. If you just cannot bring your dog indoors you may want to consider your garage as an alternative since there is a concrete floor which is cooler. Providing a fan or portable A/C unit is also a good idea since as the summer wears on the garage will heat up.
Outdoor cats do tend to find cooler places to stay during the day such as under decks in the dirt; however, water is still extremely important for them as well. Do not think just because cats are more independent that the heat cannot and will not bother them as well.
So what will happen if your pet gets overheated and nothing is done? Heat stroke is a very real possibility in your pet and it will happen a lot quicker in them than it does in humans. It will kill your pet very quickly as their bodies are literally cooking on the inside as their temperature rises.
I personally had an experience with this and watched as the dog paced the floor, panted extremely hard and was obviously very uncomfortable. We had no idea what to do at this point in time and did our best to no avail. She passed away on the way to the vet. Her temperature was 108 degrees internally. A normal temp is 102 so you can see this was extremely high.
Our ignorance led us to do a great deal of research and educate ourselves on how to prevent this from happening again. Fortunately we had the opportunity to keep another dog alive through this very same situation because we were educated this time and did the right things.
People should also not leave their dogs in their cars. If you have to go into a business then you should leave the car running with the A/C on if you cannot bring your dog in with you. Same thing with cats. The temperature in your car heats up to dangerous temps very very quickly and any outside temp over 70 can kill your dog or cat in the car if left for too long in the car.
It is very important that we as pet parents think of these things so we can keep our furry family members as safe as possible. I personally do not take my dog anywhere I cannot take him in with me so I do not have to leave him in the car. That's just so I don't have to worry about him either being taken or getting sick because I wasn't aware of the temperature. I do not judge others for leaving theirs in the car as long as the A/C is on though. If the A/C is not on, however, and I see it then I will take your dog especially if it is hot outside. That's animal cruelty in my opinion.
We welcome your opinions and comments and questions. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and Flipbook. As always, thanks for reading!
If you see your dog panting harder than normal or your cat panting at all this means they are too hot and need to be cooled down. How is this done? First you need hose your dog off with cool water and get him/her in the shade. Once this is done take them indoors where there is air conditioning. If your dog is outdoor only then you should consider more shade and providing more water and potentially ice water at times. If you just cannot bring your dog indoors you may want to consider your garage as an alternative since there is a concrete floor which is cooler. Providing a fan or portable A/C unit is also a good idea since as the summer wears on the garage will heat up.
Outdoor cats do tend to find cooler places to stay during the day such as under decks in the dirt; however, water is still extremely important for them as well. Do not think just because cats are more independent that the heat cannot and will not bother them as well.
So what will happen if your pet gets overheated and nothing is done? Heat stroke is a very real possibility in your pet and it will happen a lot quicker in them than it does in humans. It will kill your pet very quickly as their bodies are literally cooking on the inside as their temperature rises.
I personally had an experience with this and watched as the dog paced the floor, panted extremely hard and was obviously very uncomfortable. We had no idea what to do at this point in time and did our best to no avail. She passed away on the way to the vet. Her temperature was 108 degrees internally. A normal temp is 102 so you can see this was extremely high.
Our ignorance led us to do a great deal of research and educate ourselves on how to prevent this from happening again. Fortunately we had the opportunity to keep another dog alive through this very same situation because we were educated this time and did the right things.
People should also not leave their dogs in their cars. If you have to go into a business then you should leave the car running with the A/C on if you cannot bring your dog in with you. Same thing with cats. The temperature in your car heats up to dangerous temps very very quickly and any outside temp over 70 can kill your dog or cat in the car if left for too long in the car.
It is very important that we as pet parents think of these things so we can keep our furry family members as safe as possible. I personally do not take my dog anywhere I cannot take him in with me so I do not have to leave him in the car. That's just so I don't have to worry about him either being taken or getting sick because I wasn't aware of the temperature. I do not judge others for leaving theirs in the car as long as the A/C is on though. If the A/C is not on, however, and I see it then I will take your dog especially if it is hot outside. That's animal cruelty in my opinion.
We welcome your opinions and comments and questions. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and Flipbook. As always, thanks for reading!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Dog Fighting...How To Recognize It And What To Do About It.
We've all heard about Michael Vick and his dog fighting ring, I'm sure. Does this type of thing really exist in our own neighborhoods though? I mean we like to think we live in a safe area. Unfortunately this illegal activity can exist anywhere. Your neighbors may even be participating in this behavior and you will not even know it unless you know what to look for.
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.aspx
If you hear someone asking for free kittens then that is a red flag. Do not be fooled by the fact that they may have children with them. Free kittens or cats are ALWAYS a bad idea for this reason. They are used for bait to help make these dogs fight. The kittens do not stand a chance and will always be killed in a horrible way. They are then just tossed in the garbage like trash. People will also look for free dogs and come by to see if they are submissive. Submissive dogs make good bait as well because they will not fight back and if they do these people will tape their mouths shut so they can't fight back. This is all an effort to make the other dog get a taste for fighting and blood so they will continue to do this behavior. These people praise the behavior so the dog thinks it is a good thing to do.
The dogs will also more than likely be chained up outside with very heavy chains. There will always be more than one and it will be breeds like pittbulls, rottweilers, etc. that people are already afraid of and feel are aggressive. Unfortunately what a lot of people do not know is these breeds were originally used as nannies or herding or general working dogs...they were never deemed aggressive. Humans made them that way and have inbred them so the genetics are not as they were initially so these dogs have gotten a bad rap over the years.
The dogs used for fighting are most likely not vaccinated or cared for medically either. Why should they care for them medically if they are just going to let them kill each other? The dogs may be heart worm positive, have tick borne diseases, distemper, or any variety of other medical issues. Unless rescued from this situation, these dogs will never be treated for any medical condition they may or may not have and any injured dog will not receive treatment for injuries.
The graphic picture above is not meant for shock but to show you what can happen to another dog during a fight. This is definitely considered animal cruelty and is also very illegal. People spend many years in jail if they are found guilty of this activity. There are also activities beyond just dog fighting such as drugs found to be involved as well.
Please check the link above for information as well as the links on this blog for more information regarding what to look for and if you do stumble upon what you feel is a dog fighting ring please leave immediately and call the police! Give them the address and as specific a location as possible but do not go back there as the people would rather see you dead than to go to jail.
If you have any pertinent information to add please feel free to comment or ask any questions. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook and be sure to remind your family and friends about us. As always, thanks for reading.
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.aspx
If you hear someone asking for free kittens then that is a red flag. Do not be fooled by the fact that they may have children with them. Free kittens or cats are ALWAYS a bad idea for this reason. They are used for bait to help make these dogs fight. The kittens do not stand a chance and will always be killed in a horrible way. They are then just tossed in the garbage like trash. People will also look for free dogs and come by to see if they are submissive. Submissive dogs make good bait as well because they will not fight back and if they do these people will tape their mouths shut so they can't fight back. This is all an effort to make the other dog get a taste for fighting and blood so they will continue to do this behavior. These people praise the behavior so the dog thinks it is a good thing to do.
The dogs will also more than likely be chained up outside with very heavy chains. There will always be more than one and it will be breeds like pittbulls, rottweilers, etc. that people are already afraid of and feel are aggressive. Unfortunately what a lot of people do not know is these breeds were originally used as nannies or herding or general working dogs...they were never deemed aggressive. Humans made them that way and have inbred them so the genetics are not as they were initially so these dogs have gotten a bad rap over the years.
The dogs used for fighting are most likely not vaccinated or cared for medically either. Why should they care for them medically if they are just going to let them kill each other? The dogs may be heart worm positive, have tick borne diseases, distemper, or any variety of other medical issues. Unless rescued from this situation, these dogs will never be treated for any medical condition they may or may not have and any injured dog will not receive treatment for injuries.
 | |
| Gypsy with dog fighting injuries. Notice she has no ears and is missing a leg. |
Please check the link above for information as well as the links on this blog for more information regarding what to look for and if you do stumble upon what you feel is a dog fighting ring please leave immediately and call the police! Give them the address and as specific a location as possible but do not go back there as the people would rather see you dead than to go to jail.
If you have any pertinent information to add please feel free to comment or ask any questions. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook and be sure to remind your family and friends about us. As always, thanks for reading.
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