Happy Happy Halloween

Are you dressing up your pet for Halloween next week? Here's some inspiration.

Cast Your Votes: Salt Lake Canine Mayor

With all the campaign posters around this election season, one that I've been seeing near my house that makes me smile:

 

I thought this was just someone having some well-merited fun during the high-pressure election season. But I looked Tex up, and it turns out you really can vote for Tex for mayor--that is, for canine mayor of Salt Lake County.

Mayor Ben McAdams explained on his blog what this is all about:

"Salt Lake County is going to the dogs – literally. Last week I was excited to announce the first-ever race for Canine Mayor of Salt Lake County! Does your dog have what it takes to be a leader?

"Your dog must be spayed or neutered, licensed, fully vaccinated and well-behaved.  As representatives for dogs throughout the county, they must earn the trust of dogs and their humans. The winner will serve a two year term and will be my sidekick at ribbon-cuttings, park ground-breakings, and so forth.

"Filing for the race closes September 15^th. Then, get ready to cast your vote for the dog of your choice on October 1^st. Each vote costs a $1 donation to the Animal Shelter’s Injured Animal Fund and all funds will directly help meet the needs of animals who come into the care of Salt Lake County Animal Services with injuries.  Voters can live anywhere and may vote online or in person at the shelter. Visit Salt Lake County Animal Services to find an application for your canine candidate."

 

Tex is far from the only candidate. Salt Lake County Service's website lists the candidates, and their Facebook page not only keeps you updated on a running total of the votes, but lists bios for them, as well. There are therapy dogs, movie stars, volunteers, service dogs, and companion animals. Whatever happens in the race, these dogs are helping earn money for a great cause--and helping raise awareness for their kind.

Essential Oils Workshop

Hey! Here's something you might be interested in. Dr. Charles Gold is leading a workshop on using essential oils for your pet. It's free!

Yum, Yum

My mom (Dr. Clytee Gold) sometimes tells about a couple of memorable surgeries here at Forest Hills Pet Care. One was a dog that came in sick--and the x-ray just showed that his stomach had turned to solid metal. When she opened the dog up, she found...hundreds of pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters. The dog had eaten a jar of change. Another similar incidence revealed that a dog had eaten a stuffed animal. The surgery, my mom tells, almost felt like a C-section: as she opened the dog up, the eyes of the stuffed animal were peering up at her. Our dog Bomb once decided to fill her belly up with the long leaves of a plant in our yard. She couldn't digest them, and she got sicker and sicker until she had surgery to empty out her stomach.

It turns out, though, that a lot of animals eat odd objects and need surgery to help them out. This article by the Washington Post doesn't just tell the story of these poor pets, but shows the x-rays that surprised the vets treating them.

Happy Birthday

My dog Ditto just turned one (on August 25th, if anyone is keeping track). I didn't throw him a party or anything, but his birthday was definitely on my mind. In honor of the occasion, though, here are some thoughts about pet birthdays.

• Mmm, birthday treats. You've probably heard that chocolate is toxic to dogs. While a couple of chocolate chips aren't a problem, large amounts really can be harmful to your dog (which isn't as complicated as you might think. I've heard Dr. Gold point out that if you ate a quarter of your body weight of chocolate, you'd probably get sick, too). The Pet Library linked to the Forest Hills Pet Care home page has some great articles on toxicity in pets that are worth checking out.
• Chocolate Toxicity by Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP 
• Signs of Chocolate Toxicity by Tony Johnson DVM, DACVECC
• People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets by the ASPCA Poison Control Center

• If you do decide to try a pet-friendly recipe for some special birthday treats, you may still want to give them to Fido in moderation. Even when you use pet-friendly ingredients, sudden changes in your pet's diet can result in some gastric distress (read: diarrhea). 

• Petco has a special birthday club for your pets. And don't worry if you don't know the exact day. The date of adoption or just a good guess also works.

• When you come in to Forrest Hills Pet Care, you'll also be asked for the date of birth of your pet. Once again, if you don't know, your best guess is just fine. The veterinarian can also help you approximate your pet's age. Just like for people, knowing your pet's age helps match the care to their needs.

• Do you honor your pet's birthday? Feel free to share in the comments!

--Carrie

Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other's Butts?

I was at a dog park the other day. A dog and his owner approached me and Ditto, my standard poodle, and as our two groups passed the dogs performed their standard greeting.

"Stop being a perv," the other owner told her dog after a minute, prompting him to move along.

The practice certainly isn't too charming to us--but what's behind dogs and their rear-end sniffing? Dr. Gold recently found this article by David Freeman for the Huffington Post that explores the issue. Take a look.



--Carrie