Recently in pet first aid Category

Just checked some fire updates on dailynews.com. Here's an update on where you can bring your animals:

Animal Shelters

* Pierce College - Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 719-6401
Enter campus on El Rancho Road off of De Soto Avenue just south of Victory Boulevard.
* Hansen Dam Equestrian Center - HAS REACHED CAPACITY
11127 Orcas Road
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
(818) 896-6514

Those with livestock or horses can bring them to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. All other animals should be taken to the Camarillo Airport.

* Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
* Camarillo Airportt
600 Aviation Dr.
Camarillo, CA 93010

For updated information on all evacuation shelters, CLICK HERE!

I know I've posted this before but as you know fire season is in full force. For up-to-the-minute updates on the fire CLICK HERE!! It even lists places where you can bring your pets (Hansen Dam comes to mind). The following comes from an ASPCA press release that I received a while back:

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS

What Pet Owners Need to Know in an Emergency

Los Angeles - Disasters strike at any time, don't get caught unprepared. It is now fire season and a major earthquake just hit the Chino Hills area today, only 29 miles away from Los Angeles. When a disaster strikes a community, essential services are often unavailable and precautions should be taken for the entire family including the safety of pets.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) strongly recommends pet owners prepare for an emergency by following simple guidelines to ensure their pet's safety in the event of an urgent situation or natural disaster.

"Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more," says Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA President. "With the earthquake that just occurred, it is important to have a disaster plan in place to ensure all members of the family are accounted for properly and it only takes a little advance preparation."

The following are the most important things pet owner can do to prepare their pets for an emergency:

* Make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food and bottled water with other emergency provisions including pet prescription and medicine.

* If roads are blocked due to a natural disaster, professional help may not be possible immediately so familiarize yourself and other family members with pet CPR, resuscitation
and general first aid procedures. Your quick action could save your pet's life.

* Try not to display stress and anxiety when dealing with pets. Most animals are very aware of their owner's emotions and can read your stress. This can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.

* After a fire or disaster, check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.

* Ask your local fire department, animal shelter or veterinarian for a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows. If none are available, make your own by listing your pets on 3X5 card and display it prominently. This alerts emergency teams there may be pets that need assistance.

* Dogs and cats should wear I.D. tags with current address and/or phone number at all times. This will make it easier for you and your pet to be reunited if separated.

* Keep up-to-date on your pet's vaccinations. Pets may become disoriented and stray, or housed in shelters with other animals, thereby potentially becoming exposed to infectious
diseases.

* Alert local shelters immediately upon discovering that your pet is missing.

For more information, contact spcaLA at 1(888) spcaLA-1 or visit www.spcaLA.com.

I also came across THIS INFORMATION from DOGSTER. I can't stress enough the importance of having an evacuation plan for both you and your pets. ALWAYS KNOW YOUR PET'S FAVORITE HIDING PLACE. I constantly keep up-to-date on new hiding places that my cats love to hang out in.

Check out this article written by Daily Breeze Staff Writer Melissa Heckscher in today's Daily News! I wonder if they'd be able to help me with Marcie in her road to recovery...although, according to my vet, she's not feeling any pain. She just needs to get her strength up more.

Anway...I thought I'd type the sidebar to this article that was published in the print edition since I can't find it anywhere online. Here's some useful pet rehab information that was provided to Melissa by Veterinarian Jessica Waldman:

WARM UP: Warm up your pet before strenuous activity. Start with a brisk, 10-minute walk, and cool down for the same amount of time afterward.

LIMIT EXPLOSIVE EXERCISE AND TAKE BREAKS: Any strenuous activity, such as rough play, should be limited to intervals, ideally 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Force your dog to take a break. "A dog in a dog park will push itself beyond what its body can do," said veterinarian Jessica Waldman, founder of California Animal Rehabilitation. "Dogs don't say, 'No, I need a break.'"

BUILD CONTROLLED ENDURANCE: The majority of exercise should be controlled (on a leash, or just no running, jumping or rough play) so that when your pet does strenuous exercise, he is better prepared, similar to how people train for competitions.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERDO IT: Your pet should end a walk at the same pace he begins the walk. If your pet sits down or lags behind on a walk, you are pushing him too far.

SENIOR PETS: As your pet ages, he won't be able to do the same activity he did when he was younger. (Think of a 10-year-old Labrador as a human senior citizen.)

STRETCH YOUR PET: You stretch before and after exercise; why shouldn't your dog? Try these simple stretches after your pet is warm, and after exercise, to prevent injuries:

Shoulder extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the front leg straight and progress the whole limb forward until the leg reaches your pet's face. Stop progressing the leg when your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.

Hip extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the hind leg straight and progress the whole limb backward, keeping the leg parallel to the ground. Stop and hold at the point your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.

I thought this picture sort of fit the category...LOL!!!
WARNING!: Don't read while eating...or if you get queasy from talk of bodily functions!

As you know from this post, Marcie has had a bit of a constipation problem. And as said before, you can just imagine the result from the enema the doc gave her. Well he had to do it again and I'm really beginning to become concerned. It's mainly because of her condition (though she is moving allot more and the vet was even more impressed with her progress). The other day she really strained to defecate and nothing came out. I researched various natural remedies and came across everything from olive oil to canned pumpkin (not pie mix but plain pumpkin). I gave her a teaspoon of olive oil the night before and saw that she did something, but it was not to my satisfaction since she hadn't pooped in a few days...plus it was very hard.

So yeah...she had another lovely explosion after her enema but I bet that felt very good. As a result of this I plan on giving her a full on bath tomorrow. WISH ME LUCK!! The doctor also suggested that I put one to two table spoons of pumpkin in her food each time I feed her. I will let you know the outcome. I also ordered natural supplements from Pet Alive for constipation and Diabetes support. Hopefully those will give her a little boost.

She can wobble on all fours now but she still has a problem landing properly when she jumps off the bed. She does kind of a kitty somersault. It doesn't hurt her...I just feel so bad for her. Hopefully she'll be able to balance herself with time.

Oh...and one more WARNING!! If your dog or cat gets an enema PLEASE heed the warnings of the vet and put your pet in a special place in the house until all contents are emptied out...LOL!! I made the mistake of forgetting to do that. When the hubby and I got home we experienced a horrible stench and a lovely brown pile on our carpet. Needless to say it was "FUN" to clean up! Nature's Miracle Orange Oxy Power for Cats was definitely my friend!!!

Anyway...that's what's going on with Marcie at the moment. Keep sending those thoughts and prayers of healing.

The emergency hospital did a battery of tests from kidney function to heart function. There were some normal outcomes and some not so normal (but that was expected with the diabetes). But still it was inconclusive as to why she went limp. They also took x-rays because they heard a minor heart gallop. He also thinks it could either be an embolism in the brain or the neck. But she seems so alert in the brain and that really puzzles me. I will find out more tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

I'm in the process of updating some other stuff (i.e. local pet services and such), but as of this moment that is just going to have to wait. This morning I woke up at about 2 a.m. to Marcie meowing incessantly as she was slumped over on my bed. When I'd pick her up and try to stand her up she'd slump over like a ragdoll. She could barely walk. So my husband and I immediately drove her to the emergency hospital. They're not sure if it's the diabetes or her kidneys or what. Please pray that everything will be okay. She was totally fine last night. I cannot stand the thought of losing her. She is virtually my baby!!!

That everyone should be prepared in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Thank God nothing major happened to us over here (or any of you...hopefully). And our pets are okay. The minute this place shook I immediately thought about my cats (and then my husband...who was okay too) and all the things that could have fallen on them. Thankfully they were unharmed...very shaken...but unharmed.

I was going to link to a post at our sister blog Southbay Pets but, just like us, they lost everything that was entered earlier today. Heck I couldn't even get on here until now. So I'm going to post the exact same thing because it was emailed to me as well. Here's the press release from the spcaLA. You can never get enough of this information. Today was yet another reminder that disaster can hit anytime, anywhere and we must all be prepared.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS

What Pet Owners Need to Know in an Emergency

Los Angeles - Disasters strike at any time, don't get caught unprepared. It is now fire season and a major earthquake just hit the Chino Hills area today, only 29 miles away from Los Angeles. When a disaster strikes a community, essential services are often unavailable and precautions should be taken for the entire family including the safety of pets.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) strongly recommends pet owners prepare for an emergency by following simple guidelines to ensure their pet's safety in the event of an urgent situation or natural disaster.

"Pets depend on us for their safety, food, water and more," says Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA President. "With the earthquake that just occurred, it is important to have a disaster plan in place to ensure all members of the family are accounted for properly and it only takes a little advance preparation."

The following are the most important things pet owner can do to prepare their pets for an emergency:

* Make sure there is a supply of canned/dry pet food and bottled water with other emergency provisions including pet prescription and medicine.

* If roads are blocked due to a natural disaster, professional help may not be possible immediately so familiarize yourself and other family members with pet CPR, resuscitation
and general first aid procedures. Your quick action could save your pet's life.

* Try not to display stress and anxiety when dealing with pets. Most animals are very aware of their owner's emotions and can read your stress. This can cause otherwise calm pets to display aggressive behavior.

* After a fire or disaster, check pet structures and favorite hiding places for hazardous debris.

* Ask your local fire department, animal shelter or veterinarian for a "Pet Alert" sign for doors and windows. If none are available, make your own by listing your pets on 3X5 card and display it prominently. This alerts emergency teams there may be pets that need assistance.

* Dogs and cats should wear I.D. tags with current address and/or phone number at all times. This will make it easier for you and your pet to be reunited if separated.

* Keep up-to-date on your pet's vaccinations. Pets may become disoriented and stray, or housed in shelters with other animals, thereby potentially becoming exposed to infectious
diseases.

* Alert local shelters immediately upon discovering that your pet is missing.

For more information, contact spcaLA at 1(888) spcaLA-1 or visit www.spcaLA.com.

This isn't exactly local but it's cool:

Los Angeles Animal Care instructor Denise Fleck will be helping out a Maryland girl scout get her Girls Scout Gold Award.

Fleck offered to come to Maryland after being contacted by 15-year-old local resident Laura Durner, who recalls a time recently "when one of my dogs was choking and I didn't know what to do. Thankfully she was okay, but right then I knew I needed to learn how to help. That evening I was watching Animal Planet, and I saw Denise Fleck teaching Pet First-Aid. Not only did I find what she said interesting, but I realized it would be a great project for my Girl Scout Gold Award®. I now realize these skills are something every responsible pet owner should learn."

The Girl Scout Gold Award® is the highest award a Girl Scout ages 14-18 may earn. It has been described as being what you really want to be remembered for in Girl Scouting. For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from "going for the Gold" set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. Last year, approximately 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts received this Award.

Most recently, Fleck appeared on Animal Planet's hit show, Groomer Has It, where she demonstrated these life-saving techniques. A former film studio publicist, Fleck began teaching Pet First Aid & CPR ten years ago after her Yellow Labrador, Sunny, ruptured discs in her spine and became immobile. The story has a happy ending with the canine recovering after surgery.

"Sunny's misfortune," Denise explains, "compelled me to learn whatever I could in case I ever again should face a difficult situation with a dog or other animal. By training with seven national organizations, attending seminars, rescue work and disaster preparedness training, I've encountered situations that continue to test and improve my skills." Denise is a guest speaker at various venues and a freelance writer for Dog Fancy, Dogs USA, Dogs For Kids, Paw Print and Dog Days in L.A. magazines. She has developed her own 60-item Pet First-Aid Kit and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs.

For this special Pet First-Aid & CPR Class, Denise Fleck is waiving class fees for the Maryland and Washington D.C. communities, although handbooks and Pet First-Aid Kits will be available for purchase.

Topics to be covered include:
Muzzling and Safe Approach of an injured or ill animal
How to Find Your Pet's Pulse, Respiration, Capillary Refill Time
Rescue Breathing & CPR
Bandaging & Splinting Techniques
What to do for: Bloat, Burns, Choking, Constipation, Diarrhea, Drowning, Electric Shock, Frostbite, Heat Stroke, Poisoning and Seizures
How to handle Snake Bites, Bee Stings, and Tick Removal
How to Administer Medications & use the items in your Pet First-Aid Kit
The importance of developing a GOOD RELATIONSHIP with your VETERINARIAN
How to take a more active role in your dog's or cat's health and care
Ten situations that require IMMEDIATE veterinary care
Introduction to Disaster Preparedness and a whole lot more!

For more information on southland classes click here.

Although this blog is mainly about domesticated pets I occasionally write about wildlife issues. Today a friend and I encountered something that we never experienced before. As we were walking across the street we came across a sick/injured crow. Normally such birds will fly away but something was not at all right with this bird. It just sat there, spanned its wings in and out and had what seemed like a seizure to me. So we decided that we should try and call a local wildlife rescue.

In my research I came across a local organization called Valley Wildlife Care. When thinking of wildlife refuges I think of extremely remote places but this group is in the Valley and serves the Valley and beyond. Volunteers at this non-profit organization rescue wild birds, cats, coyotes, deer, rabbits...every wild thing you could imagine. And they're very efficient too. Someone called me back within minutes and gave me information on a specific person who deals with crows. Unfortunately it was too late in my case. By the time I came back to the crow with a box it was dead. But at least I tried. I don't think it would have survived though. Something was really wrong with it.

But now I know what to do and who to contact if another event like this arises. To contact the organization call Brenda Varvarigos at: (818) 346-8247 or email her at valleywildlife@aim.com. She or another volunteer can answer any questions you might have. And of course you should visit their website (yeah I know the website is posted twice but I really want you to get the information...even if that means having two chances to click the same website).

I also came across a plethora of information on how to handle injured/sick wild animals. First of all NEVER try to take care of them yourselves. Regular people tend to think that they can help rehabilitate wild animals themselves when they don't have the proper knowledge or resources. The best thing to do would be to put them in a box (if you can without getting scratched or bitten), make them as comfortable as you can and get them to a wildlife center or a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Click Here for more animal emergency information. You may also call the California Wildlife Center's emergency hotline at 310-458-WILD(9453). And you can call their animal hospital during the day at (818) 591-9453. For full contact information click here!

I subscribe to The Pet Place Cat Crazy newsletter but occasionally it will give info that can help pets of all kinds. Dr. John, who writes the newsletter (not sure if he's a real doctor...heheh) was recently researching (not sure how recently) newly discovered plant toxicities. Now I'm not sure how new this discovery is because the newsletter brings up some issues that I've already seen or known (i.e. it recently posted a funny cat video that's been around for years).

BUT!! you can never get too much information on plants that can be poisonous to your pet (and you in some cases). This one surprised me! And I see allot of these plants in people's yards and homes. Before you even think about getting a Sago Palm tree you might want to read this.

Now in reality a Sago palm isn't a palm tree like those big, tall ones that you see (my mom has one of those...not sure if she has a Sago palm.) According to a wikipedia article it is part of the gymnosperm family (I'm not a botanist here so I'm not even going to delve into that one...LOL!! though it looks like Pine trees are part of that as well). According to the pet place article the Sago Palm is a stocky, spiky leaved member of the Cycad family of plants. According to them the plant is a lovely addition to residential landscapes in the sunny climates of the Southern United States. And in recent years, miniature or "bonsai" versions have also found their way into homes.

But pet owners should know that this plant is highly toxic. According to the ASPCA, 50 to 75 percent of cases involving ingestion of Sago Palm result in fatalities, further illustrating the serious danger that the plant poses. The article also says:

Sago and other cycad palms contain toxic compounds that can potentially produce vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, seizures and even liver failure and death in cats and dogs.

"Many people familiar with this plant's poisonous nature assume that the only poisonous portions are the seed, or nut from the female," says Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "However, all parts of these plants are toxic, whether male or female."

As a refresher, here's a list of the 17 most common poisonous plants according to the ASPCA. Like I said you can never get enough of this information.

Here's another list of plants deemed to be safe for pets and people. But like it says, please note that the information is not all-inclusive. Click here for the list.

If your pet has been poisoned please call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. The center is open seven days a week, 365 days a year.