Animal Focus Network » Health

Pregnant Women NOT at risk from cats

Diana — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:42:30 +0000

There is no reason to re-home your cats when you get pregnant. By simply washing your hands or wearing gloves when handling litter contents – you minimize the risk 100%. Toxoplasmosis is completely preventable with basic hygiene. The probability of contracting the parasite though the handling of raw meat is actually greater than handling litter contents. (source: Lafayette Animal Aid) See the CDC website for more info: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

Over the counter Flea Treatments warning

Diana — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:42:09 +0000

The EPA has been working with the company for some time to address the 7,100 complaints they have received from 1998 to 2003 about the drug causing illness in pets. The chemical that is likely causing the problem is pyrethrin. It is used in most over-the-counter flea and tick products. Louisiana SPCA veterinarians say it can cause problems in dogs and is only effective for about a week. The chemical can be harmful to cats. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe a flea and tick product that contains fipronil or imidadoprid, which are considered much more effective. “We don’t encourage giving anything over the counter to your pets without asking your veterinarian about it first,” advises one of our veterinarians. Please remember that pet store employees are not veterinarians, and they aren’t trained to give you medical advice. Source: Laura Maloney tp article

Chocolate is toxic to pets

Diana — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:41:43 +0000

Contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, panting, excessive urination, tremors, confulsions and death. Baking chocolate is more concentrated than milk chocolate. Source: Animal Magazine.

Xylitol

Diana — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:41:08 +0000

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugarless chewing gums and mints and some household baking products is deadly to dogs and can kill them very quickly.