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PetScoop: $5 OFF, Dog Poison Protection, Feline FUS Symptoms, Algae Control Tips.

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April 2010, Issue No. 38



	Doggy Dangers: The Top 10 Poisons Visit a family with small children and you're likely to find a home where poisonous chemicals are locked up and medications are out of reach. Unfortunately, the same isn't always true of homes with pets. Last year, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases involving pets and toxic substances. Based on these calls, the ASPCA developed a list of the top 10 poisons that can harm your pooch.

1.	Human Medications The number one danger is human medication. Keep all drugs off easy-to-reach counters and nightstands. Dogs may try to play with pill vials or might ingest stray pills that were dropped accidentally.

2.	Insecticides Our battle against fleas and ticks may harm our dogs if we mistakenly apply the wrong products or misuse them. This was the second most common reason for calls to the center.

3.	People Food You might indulge your pooch with a little human food, but beware of grapes, raisins, avocado and gum, which can be harmful. The worst human treat is chocolate, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even seizures.

4.	Plants These household plants can be risky for your pet: azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera. Check the ASPCA's list of toxic plants.

5.	Veterinary Medications Last year, there were 7,680 cases where drugs prescribed by vets were misapplied or dispensed improperly. Be sure to read dosage instructions carefully and if in doubt, call your vet.

6.	Rodenticides Ingesting rat poison can be life threatening to your dog, leading to bleeding, seizures or kidney damage. Avoid using rat or mouse traps with baits that can be attractive to your dog.

7.	Household Cleaners Simply inhaling some of the chemical cleaners in your home might irritate and distress your dog. Limit his access to bleaches, detergents and disinfectants.

8.	Heavy Metals Be aware of the harm that lead, zinc and mercury can pose. Lead can be found in paint chips, linoleum and lead dust from sanding or scraping.


9.	Garden Products Fertilizer and garden products will beautify your garden, but they can hurt your pet. Fertilizer, especially, can cause severe gastric distress.

10.	Chemical Hazards A growing number of calls to the center involve poisoning from antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners, pool chemicals and other substances, which can cause respiratory problems and burns.

The best advice is to dog-proof your home. With a little extra care and vigilance, you can make sure your dog's curiosity doesn't lead him into contact with toxic substances.

In case of a poisoning emergency, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

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Why Make a F.U.S. About Your Cat's Diet

Cleaning the litter box may be your least favorite chore, but the contents of the box could tell you if your cat has Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS). A problem that affects male and female cats of all ages (although less common in females), FUS involves urinary infections or urethral obstructions that can be life threatening. A quality diet and constant fresh water can help prevent it.

FUS includes four common disorders:


	Cystitis: Inflammation of the wall lining of the urinary bladder.

	Infections: Bacterial infections caused by accumulated blood, mucus and debris from inflamed tissue.

	Urethral Blockage: This is a life-threatening blockage of the urinary outflow tract.

	Uremia: An accumulation of poisonous wastes in the bloodstream that is life threatening.

FUS symptoms:

	Crying out or straining while urinating (may be mistaken for constipation)

	Urinating a small amount or not at all

	Unable to use a litter box

	Urinating in a sink or bath tub

	Passing blood in his urine

Avoid FUS by:

While the exact causes of FUS aren't known, there are some steps you can take to help prevent it.


	Fluids - Give your cat plenty of fresh water and encourage drinking.

	Diet - Feed your cat a balanced diet. Poor-quality cat foods can contribute to the onset of FUS, so choose carefully.

	Exercise - Help your cat stay fit and trim.

	Waste - Check the litter box for signs of blood or unusual deposits.

Pet Supermarket carries premium cat food brands that are formulated to help prevent FUS.

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	Don't Let Algae Control Your Tank All aquariums have some form of algae. It's normal and can even be beneficial. But algae overgrowth can harm your fish and plants. Understand the conditions that cause algae to grow and you will keep a healthy tank that is crystal clear year round.

What causes algae to grow?


	Leaving the aquarium in direct sunlight

	Overfeeding the fish

	Using water with high nutrients

	Leaving lights on too long

Keep in mind the three basic necessities for algae growth: water, sunlight and nutrients. Too much of any of these items can cause algae overgrowth. How?

Reducing algae growth


	Limit lighting - Avoid direct sunlight altogether and limit artificial lighting to about eight hours a day.

	Check your water and change it regularly - Partial water changes will help control nitrates and phosphates and in turn, algae. Also, test your source of new water for nutrients and use filter medias as well.

	Use live plants - One way to combat algae is to use live plants, which compete for the same nutrients that feed algae. If you include plants, use full-spectrum plant bulbs, which are good for about one year.

	Keep algae-eating fish - The Siamese Flying Fox, Otocinclus or Plecostomus will help keep algae levels low.

	Don't overfeed - Overfeeding is common. One way to check is to watch your fish eat. If they don't eat all of the food you give them in five minutes, you're overfeeding. Remove uneaten food, which increase phosphate levels as well.

Using these tips will help you maintain healthy fish and an aquarium with little algae growth. For filter media, aquarium supplies and more, visit your local Pet Supermarket or PetSupermarket.com.

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Did you know?

Max is the most popular dog name. Molly, Buddy, Bella and Lucy are in the top five. Source: VPI pet insurance

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