Avoiding Fees When You're Traveling With Fido

Article thanks to the Associated Press

If you travel with your pet, you are likely to find yourself lapping up extra fees. Even self-proclaimed "pet-friendly" hotels typically charge daily fees, starting at about $10 pet pet, and in some cases additional per-stay fees of up to $200.  Ask clear questions when making reservations, and check out web sites like PetsOnTheGo.com, PetTravel.com and DogFriendly.com to find no-fee or low-fee deals.

BEWARE- Cocoa Mulch

The following is from www.snopes.com, please visit their site for the full story.

Cocoa Mulch which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called 'theobromine.'  It is lethal to dogs and cats.  It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.  They could ingest this stuff and die.  Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs.  Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffein and theophylline.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog.)  However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.'

The following is from the ASPCA's website.  Please visit their site for the full story.                       

Cocoa Bean Mulch as a Cause of Methylxanthine Toxicosis in Dogs  

By S. Hansen, H. Trammell, E. Dunayer, S. Gwaltney, D. Farbman, and S. Khan

Background

Cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, are sold as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners find cocoa mulch desirable because it degrades into an organic fertilizer and provides an attractive color and odor. Unprocessed beans, derived from the Theobroma cacao plant, contain 1-4% theobromine/0.07-0.36% caffeine whereas, cocoa bean mulch contains 0.19%-2.98% theobromine. Some dogs find the mulch attractive and eat small to large quantities.

• Cocoa bean shell products are increasingly used as mulch
• Natural cacao beans are derived from Theobroma cacao
• Unprocessed beans contain 1-4% theobromine and 0.07-0.36% caffeine
• Cocoa bean shell mulch may contain up to 0.19%-2.98% theobromine. Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production
• Cocoa bean shell mulch products have an attractive odor and smell
• Some dogs will eagerly eat large amounts of cocoa bean shell mulch

Conclusion

Dogs consuming cocoa bean mulch may develop methylxanthine toxicosis. Retrospective case data suggests clinical signs following ingestion include vomiting and muscle tremors. Although oral doses could not be quantitatively determined, clinical severity increased with increasing qualitative dose descriptions. Therefore, treatment should be directed at controlling clinical signs until recovery and preventing further exposure. Pet owners should avoid use of cocoa bean mulch in landscaping around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits.

• Low doses of methylxanthines in dogs cause gastrointestinal upset
• High doses cause tachycardia, muscle tremors, seizures and even death
• Drolet documented the death of a dog after eating a large amount of cocoa bean shell mulch containing 0.46% theobromine
• Cases we managed involved dogs which developed vomiting, tremors, tachycardia, hyperactivity, or diarrhea with full recovery
• Clinical severity appears to correlate with increasing qualitative dose descriptions
• Treatment of affected dogs includes multiple dose activated charcoal (2g/kg PO) and tremor control with cardiac monitoring
• Urinary bladder catheterization may reduce re-absorption of methylxanthines
• Other potential exposures include pesticides and mycotoxin-producing mold
• Dogs may experience clinical effects from large ingestions of cocoa bean shell mulch but life-threatening signs were not reported
• We recommend avoiding use of cocoa bean shell mulch in landscaping around unsupervised dogs

Parasite Prevention

Spring is prime time to focus on parasite prevention.  Parasites such as heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, fleas, and ticks can all have a negative impact on your pets health.  Annual testing for heartworms and intestinal parasites can catch infections early, even if your pet is non-symptomatic.  It is imperative to keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention. Now more than ever, we know how important it is to save money. Administering monthly parasite prevention can be as low as $6 per month and will save you costly treatments in the future, and keep your pet from getting preventable diseases.  We have many different options, please ask us which is right for your pet at your next visit.  Please visit our parasite prevention page for more information.

Microchipping

Microchip your pet today for only $49.99!  That includes implantation, activation, and registration in HomeAgain's network for 1 year!

10 million pets get lost every year.  Without I.D. 90% will not return home. 

The #1 cause of pet death is getting lost!

Microchip your pet so he/she does not become one of these statistics.

Microchipping is quick and painless and for the price of $49.99 buys peace of mind!  That includes implantation, registration, and their first year of enrollment in HomeAgain's program. 

Just a few of the highlights are:

     -Proactive pet recovery network.  When HomeAgain is notified that your pet is lost, they will send out lost posters to all surrounding veterinarians and shelters.  Local PetRescuers are also alerted.

     -24/7 emergency medical care.  If your vets office is closed or unavailable, you are traveling and need care, or you need to speak with poison control, HomeAgain will help and for free! 

     -Lost pet medical insurance is included at no charge!  PetFirst provides coverage for any medical bills for any injuries your pet suffers while lost up to $3,000 less a $50 deductible.