Info from the ASPCA on poison control

Here's some information from the ASPCA on things that may or may not be toxic to our dogs. There is more info on their website too...click on the Poison Control Center link. www.aspca.org

10 Poison Prevention Tips - Keep your pet poison-safe with our 10 helpful tips.

Did You Know?
Mothballs can potentially be toxic to dogs, cats and other animals, particularly those containing an ingredient known as napthalene.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

Warm Weather Hazards:
- Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
- Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
- Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication - Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
- Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards:
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards:- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards:
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats - The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water
- Silica gel
- Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry


If You Think Your Animal Is Poisoned…

In spite of your best efforts, your animal may accidentally become poisoned. Being prepared can save your pet’s life.

Know your vet's procedures for emergency situations, especially ones that occur after business hours. Keep phone numbers for your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

Keep a pet poison safety kit on hand for emergencies. Your kit should contain:
- A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
- Can of your pet’s favorite wet food
- Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medical syringe
- Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
- Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
- Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for the animal after skin contamination.
- Rubber gloves
- Forceps to remove stingers
- Muzzle (Remember, an excited animal may harm you.)
- Pet carrier

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply. When you call the center, please be ready to provide:

* Your name, address and telephone number
* If you know what substance your pet has ingested, have the product container/packaging available for reference. You’ll also need to provide information, if you know it, about the amount ingested and the time since exposure.
* Your pet’s species, breed, age, sex and weight
* All symptoms your pet is experiencing

SF SPCA's Dog Day on the Bay is coming up!

Have you heard about this benefit event? It sounds like a lot of fun. I've heard they really do it up right for the dogs and the people! (Follow the link to see great pictures from last year's event.)

Hornblower Cruises & Events Presents: A Benefit for The San Francisco SPCA
Dog Day on the Bay
Sunday May 7, 2006
Boarding - 10:00 a.m., Departure - 11:00 a.m., Return - 1:00 p.m.

http://www.sfspca.org/news/ddotb2005/index.html

Peanut Butter Biscotti for Dogs

Here' a tasty treat for your little gourmet!

Peanut Butter Biscotti for Dogs
(from the kitchen of Sophie Hamilton)

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cups wheat germ or oat bran
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt
1 egg
2 tbsp. canola oil
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. dry milk powder
3/4 cup milk
3/4 natural peanut butter
1/2 cups chopped peanust or carob chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the flours, wheat germ, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; stir together the egg, oil, honey, milk powder and water. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture along with the peanut butter and peanuts or carob chips, and stir until well-blended.

Shape the dough into a 14 - inch log on an ungreased baking sheet, and flatten until it's about 6 inches wide. You can brush the top with a beaten egg to give it a shiny finish.

Bake 30 minutes or until firm. Remove from the oven, and reduce temperature to 250 degrees F. Cool the log before cutting it into 1/2 inch slices on a slight diagonal using a sharp, serrated knife.

Place each slice on its bottom about 1/2 inch apart on the cookie sheet so it stands upright. This way, you don't need to flip the biscotti while re-baking. Bake for about 30 minutes. Turn the oven off, but the leave the biscotti inside for several hours to harden as they cool.

Makes about 18 biscotti. Store in a tightly sealed container.

Dogster.com has a new blog!

It has a lot of good and interesting dog-related articles and information. Small Dog highly recommends it!

http://dogblog.dogster.com/