Hyperthyroidism has become a frequently diagnosed illness in cats in recent decades. And new research implicates an environmental source.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s), chemicals used only in recent decades as a flame retardant, have been shown in research to cause injury to the feline nervous system, as well as interfere with the production of certain hormones. Scientists are concerned that these chemicals could also lead to similar symptoms in humans, too.

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Even though I am sure that you keep a close eye on your companion animal when outdoors, a number of things can happen to separate you.  If this does take place, the proper identification will help reunite you with your pet.  Animals without ID tags are often mistaken as strays and they are sometimes treated differently, so make sure your dog or cat has the proper identification.  I suggest a sturdy, yet comfortable, breakaway collar with an ID tag containing your pet’s name plus your name, address and phone number.  Also, hook your pet’s  rabies tag on the collar.

As some collars can fall off and others break away if caught on an object, a microchip is a good idea.  This is a very small device that your veterinarian can inject under the skin around the shoulder blades.  The chip has a number that is registered with the manufacturer and other local, state and nationwide agencies.  Many shelters and vets have scanners that read the number on the microchip.  Then, it’s a simple call to the manufacturer or agency to get your name and phone number for a happy ending.

Here’s wishing you and your companion animal a happy and safe Spring.

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Spring may just have started last week, but it was 90 degrees in Phoenix yesterday when we visited our kids for Easter. The hot weather will soon be on us in many parts of the country, which prompted me to write the following reminder.

If you live in a climate that has sticky, hot, summer days, you may find yourself longing for cooler days. Your pet will definitely agree! In warm weather, it is necessary for you to care for your pet’s health so that he or she does not become overheated. Remember, a pet is like a newborn baby—they cannot tell you that they are hot or uncomfortable. You have to notice warning signs and provide a good living environment so that your pet does not get too hot.

When you take your pet places during the summer, never ever let it inside of a parked car, even for a short time. Cars quickly become ovens in the summertime, even when you park in the shade, or even if you have the windows cracked. Your pet will not be able to alert people in order to get out of your car safely. In as little as ten to fifteen minutes, your pet could die from the heat in a parked car, and parking in the shade does little good to prevent this, since the sun continuously moves and the heat of the air alone will be bad for your pet. If your pet will be going with you, make sure they are allowed wherever you will be.

When the heat index is high, keep your pets inside. Pets that are not outdoors most of the time won’t know where the cooler places to hide are, or they may find these cooler places and not return home. Hot asphalt can also wreak havoc on a pet’s health, as it can burn his or her sensitive paw pads. If your pet does go outside, make sure that he or she is let back inside after only a few minutes on the hottest days of the summer. Basically, if it is recommended that seniors and children stay inside, it is good for pets to stay indoors as well.

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Although your cat or dog may have a furry coat, cold weather can still be extremely dangerous. Imagine how you feel after being out on a cold day for more than a few minutes—even with your winter coat, you are probably still very cold. Cats and dogs are the same way, and if you leave your pet exposed to the cold for too long, he or she may show signs of hypothermia. In a worst-case scenario, hypothermia leads to death.

There are many different reasons why your cat or dog could become too cold. If you typically let your pet outdoors, remember that he or she will need to come back inside more quickly during the winter. This is especially true for smaller pets, pets with short hair, or pets recovering from an illness. Also, never let your pet outside if he or she is wet, for whatever reason. In fact, if you bathe your pet or your pet otherwise gets wet, dry him or her immediately if the weather is cold, even if you are indoors. Make sure your cat or dog cannot get outside in any way—your pet may not be able to figure out how to get back inside, and by the time you realize that he or she is missing, hypothermia could have taken hold.

Hypothermia is a medical condition when the body temperature drops too low for the organs to function properly. Frostbite often occurs in the extremities, because the body will begin to shut down unnecessary body parts in order to keep the vital organs as warm as possible. If you pet has hypothermia, you’ll see your pet shivering, moving slowly, and breathing shallowly. Eventually, your pet will become unresponsive and die. Therefore, it is important to warm up your cat or dog.

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If you seek to provide the best living environment possible for your furry feline friend, it is important to know about the different household items that could poison your cat. Remember, your cat cannot resist tasty-smelling or unusual substances, nor can he or she tell you what was ingested to make him or her feel badly. Therefore, know which items you own could hurt your pet and keep these items securely in cabinets and other places your cat cannot access. If possible, keep these items out of your home altogether.

First, many homes have bleach products. You’ll find bleach and Clorox mainly in the laundry room or in other cleaning supplies; however, you can also find bleach products in swimming pool supplies. In generally, household bleaches are fairly mild. Although they will make your cat feel ill, most animals are smart enough to not drink enough to kill. Signs that your cat may have drunk a bleach product include excess drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If your cat seems to be in pain, smell his or her fur if possible to detect the scent of the bleach. In general, call you vet and have your cat drink large quantities of milk or water if you possibly can. Monitor your cat for bloody vomit and difficulty breathing, and wash the paws and mouth area thoroughly.

Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene can also make your cat sick. Ingesting this substance can cause live damage and seizures. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures, blue or brown colored gums, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. If you cat has eaten mothballs or items like toilet bowl cleaner or bathroom deodorizer, call your vet immediately.

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It happens. Your cat is sunning themselves in the driveway and you don’t know they’re there. You back out, hear a painful yowl and realize what’s happened. You stop the car, run to your cat and it dies in your arms. You’re beside yourself. After the tears stop, you have an overwhelming guilt, guilt that will stay with you for a long time. How do you get past this tragedy?

You did not mean to hurt your cat. Don’t hesitate to talk to a pet-loss bereavement counselor. Many veterinary schools and colleges offer this service for free, staffed by veterinary students who understand how important pets are to us and how difficult their loss can be.

Also, you have to realize that you are not the first person to have run over your own cat. Unfortunately, it happens with some regularity. It is one of the dangers out there to a cat that is allowed to roam free.

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The holidays will soon be upon us. Can you beleive it! As much fun as the holiday season can be for us, the celebrations and decorations can translate to pet safety hazards. It’s not uncommon to see accidents related to foreign body ingestion, bone fractures and electric shock occur.

Here are some hidden holiday dangers to be aware of and a few tips on holiday safety for pets:

COLD WEATHER DANGERS

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By Erv Mrotek
Owner, Wholesome Pet Supply

Back in March, 2007, my neighbor’s beautiful American Eskimo dog, Sunny, fell ill one morning and was dead by noon. He had been fine up until that fateful morning. It turned out he died of the very symptoms caused by the tainted dog food you heard about on the national news during that time period. Thousands of pets died. When my neighbor checked the web site for the list of recalled foods, the brand she had been serving her dogs was on the list. More brands are being added to this recall list daily. This is a story that got worse as time went by. Please check the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site yourself to make sure the brand you are feeding your pet isn’t contaminated: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

Sunny’s death really upset me as I used to play with him a lot, so I started researching wholesome pet foods. I came across a company called HealthyPetNet, a division of Trilogy International, Inc. They sell the Life’s Abundance® Premium Health Food line for dogs and cats. They also sell other pet-related products and supplements. None of their products have ever been recalled.

What impressed me about their food was the fact that only natural ingredients like chicken meal, fish meal, carrots, apples, spinach, celery, alfalfa meal, ground brown rice, antioxidants, live probiotics, and chelated minerals are used. Their products contain no chemicals or fillers, nothing artificial. In fact, all of their ingredients come from human food processing plants and their food is shipped fresh to your door. Food bought in a store can sit in non-climate-controlled storage areas for up to 18 months before it is sold, often sitting outside in trailers. To prevent it from spoiling, powerful, dangerous, chemicals are used as preservatives. With Life’s Abundance you have the food in your hands within a few short weeks of its manufacture.

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Pet owners who let their pets run loose should “microchip” them. Then, when one of us animal lovers finds your pet and isn’t sure if they have a home or not, we can track you down. Any vet or shelter can scan a pet for a microchip. If they have one, they can be reunited their owner instead of being put in a new home. It might even save their life if they are taken to a pound.

There are many stories about owners reunited with their pets because of this technology. Basically, your contact info is put on a microchip the size of a grain of rice and then injected under the skin of your pet. And unlike a traditional tag you put on a collar, this one won’t come off. Most vets should be able to do this for you or know where you can get it done.

Watch this video on MSNBC.com about a cat that was reunited with his owner because of a microchip. The cat had somehow gotten 1600 miles away from his home!

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