How Safe Is Your Groomer?

A California couple is suing PetSmart, claiming their puppy was strangled during a grooming session at the store, according to HLN affiliate KTLA. Veronica Espinoza and John Benitez say they brought Rita, an “energetic, happy and high-spirited” English Bulldog to the PetSmart in Downey last May, KTLA reports, citing court documents. About two hours later, Benitez allegedly got a call from PetSmart saying that the dog was vomiting blood and needed medical attention. When Benitez arrived at the store he saw the groomer cleaning Rita’s ears, according to the lawsuit. “She was gasping for air and she was throwing up blood,” Benitez told KTLA. Rita died that morning. In a statement obtained by HLN on Tuesday, PetSmart apologized for the puppy’s death. “The death of Rita, an English Bulldog puppy, is a tragic loss. Many of us at PetSmart are pet parents, and no words can express our deep sorrow for this family’s loss.” The company said it disputes the events surrounding Rita’s death as the lawyer describes them. “We take very seriously the trust placed in us by pet parents who each day leave their pets in our care. Nothing is more important than looking after the safety and well-being of pets as if they were our own,” according to the company. The lawsuit describes a harrowing morning in which Benitez rushed Rita’s body back and forth across the city searching for answers. A veterinarian told him “something had happened. He just didn’t know what,” KTLA quoted him as saying. Then Benitez hurried back to PetSmart, where employees took the dog to a pet hospital. According to Benitez, PetSmart handled the results of the necropsy, which said Rita died of natural causes. But that’s not what the couple found out after they obtained the report, their attorney Jill Ryther told KTLA.

Is Your Dog Having Seizures?

A seizure is described as an abnormal burst of activity in the brain. Some seizures in dogs may last a few seconds, to a few minutes, some even last hours at a time. There are four main types of seizures in dogs: Generalized seizures Focal seizures Cluster seizures Status epilepticus Although seizures may affect any dog at any time, there are some things to keep in mind. About 70% of dogs between the ages of 1 and 6 will suffer from a seizure at least once. This may be caused by an unknown illness and may be a one-time occurrence, or may be a life-long ailment that requires medical attention. There are a number of different health issues that may cause seizures, including brain disorders such as worms, canine distemper and heat stroke. Stages of a canine seizure The severity of a canine seizure depends on different symptoms you may witness. There are a few different types of seizures, but most display similar signs and progress in stages. Keep an eye out for the following signs during the different stages of a canine seizure: Prodome stage – This is just before the actual seizure. You will notice a change in your dog’s mood or behavior. Some changes include neediness, pacing, excessive panting and whining. Ictal stage – This is the actual seizure itself. Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the seizure. Most seizures only last a few seconds to a few minutes, and anything over five minutes long must be discussed with your veterinarian. Some signs of a seizure include losing consciousness, temporary paralysis, teeth chomping, pawing the air and uncontrollable urination and bowel movements.

Mange May Be Cause Of That Doggy Itch

Mange can affect wild animals, domestic animals and sometimes even humans. There are a number of different types of mange, and depending on the severity, can lead to serious illness and death.

Canine mange comes from the French word mangier, which means “to eat.” Mites are the cause of mange, embedding themselves in skin or hair follicles causing skin lesions, itching and hair loss. Mange in dogs can often be misdiagnosed for an allergy or other skin reaction. However, not all itching means your dog has mange.

It is important to understand how your dog could have contracted mange and other symptoms to look for along with excessive itching. If you suspect your dog may have mange, you should take him to the veterinarian right away to avoid serious infestation and illness.

Symptoms of Mange in Dogs

Most times your dog’s symptoms will include hair loss, itching, irritation and scabs on the skin. More uncommon symptoms will include scale formations and hardening of the skin. Your dog may also suffer from a fever, lethargy and weight loss. If left untreated, the skin will eventually become leathery and brittle, and may break off in small pieces. Untreated mange can even lead to depression and aggression as well as other behavioral problems.

Mange is usually found on the ears, elbows, thighs, under the chest and on the face.

Mange is caused by a variety of mites. Mites are referred to as a parasite because they feed off their host. Most dogs contract mites from an infested area or from other infected animals. Mites can become very serious if left untreated, and certain types can easily get out of control if left alone for too long.

Readmore:http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/05/03/mange-may-be-cause-of-that-doggy-itch/73244/

Is Your Pet Chipped?

(LIFE WITH PETS) Pet microchipping has come a long way since it originated nearly 2 decades ago. Pet chipping companies like HomeAgain now alert you when pets in your area go missing, and even come with an iPhone app that will let you upload pictures of your lost pet. Every year approximately 10 million pets are euthanized because their guardians are unable to find them, and pet microchipping companies have been able to reunite over a million pets with their families. Read on for more on the incredible advancement of chipping and how it could save your pet’s life. — Global Animal

Introduce Your Dog To The New Baby

It’s no surprise that dogs that aren’t used to being around babies are usually curious about them. After all, they sound, behave and smell much differently than us. As a parent-to-be, you’re probably concerned about how your dog will react to your new bundle of joy. And it’s completely understandable! Dogs react to new babies in a way that’s very similar to the way a sibling reacts to a new baby. Your dog was your first “baby” and unless the introduction between your dog and your new baby happens like it should, your dog could experience hurt feelings. Preparing your dog for the baby’s upcoming arrival in advance is by far the best thing you can do to help avoid jealousy between the two. Listed below are 10 tips that’ll help you prepare your dog for your baby’s arrival. 1. Have your dog examined by his vet to make sure he doesn’t have an illness that could possibly pose a health risk to the baby or any other member of the family. 2. Let your dog get used to the smells and sounds of a baby in advance. For example, you can play recordings of crying babies, or you can apply baby lotion to your hands regularly and let him sniff them. 3. Consider enrolling your dog in an obedience class to make sure he knows the three basic commands: come, sit, stay. These commands will come in handy while you’re taking care of the baby and your dog is trying to “help” you. 4. Prior to bringing your new baby home, send home a blanket that your baby has been wrapped up in so your dog will get used to the baby’s scent. 5. When you bring your new baby home, make sure someone else holds it while you greet your dog with open arms, telling him how much you missed him. After you’ve greeted your dog, let him run around a bit to release his built-up energy. After your dog has calmed down, it’s time to leash him up and introduce him to the newest family member. Remember to stay calm during the introduction. If you’re nervous, your dog will sense your feelings and feel nervous, too. And don’t forget to praise your dog for acting calmly around the baby. 6. Spend quality one-on-one time with your dog while your baby sleeps. This will feel like old times for your dog because he’ll feel like he’s the center of your attention again. 7. Keep reminding your dog that every time the baby cries, it’s a normal sound and there’s no need for him to get upset. Try training him to NOT bark when the baby cries and every time he doesn’t bark, remember to reward him with a treat. 8. You should NEVER provide your dogs with toys that are similar to your baby’s toys. After all, what would happen if your baby plays with a toy that looks like your dog’s toy, but it actually belongs to the infant? Your dog will get confused and try to take the toy from your baby’s hand, possibly causing injury. 9. To keep your dog out of the baby’s room, you can set up a removable gate as a barrier. If you have a dog that likes to jump, you may want to consider installing a screen door as a barrier. Since both of these barriers will still allow your dog to see and hear the baby, he’ll start to feel more and more comfortable with the new family member. 10. Never, ever, ever leave your dog alone with the baby. Your dog may be the friendliest and best trained dog in the world, but a crying baby may still irritate him and he may act out instinctively. Readmore:http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/05/05/introduce-your-dog-to-the-new-baby/73499/

Brave Pit Bull Saves Woman From Train

Last Wednesday, Christine Spain, the mother of Boston police officer David Lanteigne, fell unconscious on train tracks in Shirley, MA. The engineer of a westward-bound freight train witnessed Lilly, a pit bull, frantically trying to pull the woman off the tracks as the train quickly approached. Emergency responders arrived to the scene to find Lilly calmly standing guard over Christine. Lilly’s human companion was not injured, but the 8-year-old dog was not as fortunate. A Shirley animal control officer immediately drove Lilly to an emergency animal hospital where officer Lanteigne recovered her and rushed to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Lilly suffered severe trauma, fracturing her pelvis in multiple locations, facing internal injuries and having her front right leg later removed due to a serious injury from the train’s wheel. Lilly the pit bull was rescued by Lanteigne 3 years ago as a companion for his mother who suffers from alcoholism. “We saved her life, and she saved my mom’s life.” Readmore:http://www.globalanimal.org/

Truckers Transport Rescued Animals To Safety

Sean Kiel is a no-nonsense guy with a gruff voice and a tough demeanor. A truck driver for 30 years, he describes himself as an “alpha male” who tends to keep his emotions “hidden pretty well.”

But get him talking about the curly white Bichon Frise he helped rescue from a dark life in a puppy mill, and all of that changes.

“Here I am, a big ol’ tough truck driver, and I’m sitting here choking up right now,” said Kiel, 46, who just transported the grateful fluff ball to a woman in California who was eager to give the dog a good home. “She was so happy to get that dog — just absolutely happy. It was so touching to see.”

Kiel is a new recruit to an informal and ever-growing network of animal lovers who are transporting rescued dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets and even the occasional monitor lizard or pot-bellied pig to loving homes, even if those homes are located hundreds of miles away. This unofficial Underground Railroad is powered by truckers, pilots, animal rescue groups and volunteers who provide “layover homes” to all kinds of creatures as they journey to new and happier lives.

Readmore:http://www.globalanimal.org/2011/11/25/truckers-transport-rescued-animals-to-safety/59056/