June 2011 Archives

Pfizer has announced it will discontinue manufacturing the relatively new (2007) flea and tick control product ProMeris.

According to the VetDepot blog:

The product has been linked to an increased risk of dogs developing pemphigus foliaceus, a potentially serious autoimmune disease.  Affected dogs typically develop crusts and ulcers around the eyes, ears, foot pads, nose and groin.  Pemphigus foliaceus can develop spontaneously or as a reaction to medications, including ProMeris.

The product will continue to be sold until September. If your pet's skin looks normal, there's no need for alarm, according to the blog post above. But it might be a good time to switch onto something else.

Ah, the Fourth of July, the quintessential summer holiday.

But for your pets? Not so much fun.

One of my dogs, Cowboy, is especially sensitive to noise. And we had a German shepherd, Queenie, many years ago who would cower in the closet when the bombs began bursting in air.

Culled from releases put out by the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the spcaLA, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as next weekend approaches.

• Beware of fireworks: Many cats and dogs are easily frightened by the foreign -- and very loud -- noises on the night of the Fourth of July (and often the nights leading up to the holiday, especially when it falls on a long weekend like it will this year). The best option is to keep animals indoors (not leased in the yard) in a safe, secure, escape-proof room of the house with a pet bed, food and water. Consider leaving a TV or radio on to help drown out the noise of fireworks -- and also to provide some familiar sounds if you're going out for the evening. Be sure to education children not to scare pets with firecrackers or sparklers.
• Pets' collars and ID information: Make sure this information is up to date and attached. Shelters often wind up with animals that have panicked and escaped during loud Fourth of July nights. Microchipping is also a good precaution, along with collars and tags.
• Decoration: Glow sticks can look like chew toys to many dogs -- and cats can easily get tangled in streamers and ribbons. Keep them out of your pets' reach.
• Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages can poison pets. Never leave beverages unattended.
• Table scraps: Don't. Human goodies include things that are dangerous to pets, from bones to onions, avocado, grapes and raisins. You don't want to spent the rest of the night at the emergency pet ER.
• Never leave animals tethered or chained outside. They can injure or hang themselves. Cats should be kept indoors -- dogs, too, for that matter, when it comes to the Fourth.
• Never leave pets unattended in parked cars.
• Hydration: keep your pets cool, in the shade and with plenty of access to fresh water.

"We all love the 4th of July and our country's independence celebrations, but it can be a rough time for cats, dogs and other pets," said SEAACA Executive Director Dan Morrison. "With a few simple rpecautions, we can make it safe for every animal and celebrate without worry."

There also are supplements that may help keep animals calm -- check with your veterinarian.

And some folks say the Thundershirt can help.

Read more here.

Any other advice for our readers? Leave a comment! 

Lily was adopted from a shelter several years ago, but her owner dropped her off at the Harbor Area Animal Care Center in San Pedro on June 14.

A friend of the former owner rushed down to the shelter to bail her out as soon as she heard and the dog is now in foster care.

But Lily now needs a new permanent home.

From the email sent out by a dog rescue contact in SP:

I met with Lily today -- she is very sweet, responds to voice commands (sit, shake) but is a little out of sorts right now, probably confused from all this relocating. She is being fostered with an intact male Lab and they get along beautifully. She may be older but she still needs a yard to play in and to be taken on almost daily walks.

She's a bit overweight (weighs about 50 pounds) and it's not clear how she gets along with cats, other kinds of dogs or children.

But if you want more information or think you can help, call Tracy at 310-892-2223 or email her at tracyanne22@aol.com

Here's a question: Are there trainers in the South Bay that you'd consider to have "dog whisperer" talents? Someone with a unique ability to communicate with dogs (and their owners), to assess, understand and redirect problem behaviors?

Tell us about trainers who have impressed you the most in our local area.

My friend Dolly sent this in, her cat Boots has gone missing:

Los Angeles County will sponsor a low-cost pet vaccination and microchip clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 22) at Arthur Johnson Park, 1200 W. 170th St., Gardena.

Pet owners (who must be 18 or older) must be in line before 6 p.m. to participate and all pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. If you have prior records, including license renewal notices or Rabies certificates, bring them with you.

And be sure to notify your veterinarian in advance.

Cash only for vaccines and microchips; cash or check accepted for licensing, which also will be available at the clinic. Proof of ID is required.

Questions? Regarding clinic participation, go to www.scvvc.webs.com .

For licensing, pet adoptions, ordinance and other pet-related information, call 877-872-9738 or visit www.animalcare.lacounty.gov


 

*** Update: The paw print tattoo fundraiser has been extended indefinitely.


Ace of Hearts Tattoo in San Pedro -- (310) 684-1400; 639 W. Channel St. -- is sponsoring a fund-raiser to benefit the Harbor Area Animal Care Center.

For $50, get a paw print tattoo from tattoo artist, Chris Ramirez, and he'll donate all of his cut (60%) to the harbor shelter.

If you go, let us know. They're open until 10 p.m.

From Chris' Facebook announcement:

GET A SET OF PAW PRINTS FOR $50 AND (60% of) ALL THE $$ GOES TO HARBOR ANIMAL SHELTER DOGS. IF YOU DON'T WANNA GET INKED. JUST COME BY AND SAY HI OR DONATE SOME $$.

This is an odd story posted today at KABC about how 64 animals have gone missing from all six of the city's animal shelters over the past year.

Department of Animal Services Manager Brenda Barnette said more than five dozen animals have disappeared from shelters in Los Angeles within a year.

"It's actually dogs, cats and other small animals, about 64 in total, from all six of our shelters," she said. "What we've noticed was that 39 of them all came from North Central."

Workers are changing locks on cages and trying to keep a closer eye on the animals, the story said.

Barnette said it was "hard to tell whether the situation was so lax that the public could come in and take animals out without us knowing it or whether there was assistance from staff or volunteers, which I would doubt."