Chocolate and Your Dogs Health--What you should Know

Written by Carolyn Schweitzer


Continued from page 1

Make note ofrepparttar type of chocolate ingested and how much was eaten, if possible.

Theobromine will stay inrepparttar 125682 bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours. Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting unless your dog is over stimulated, comatose, or has lostrepparttar 125683 gag reflex.

If your dog has eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any ofrepparttar 125684 above symptoms, take her torepparttar 125685 vet right away. If her symptoms are minor, make her eat activated charcoal. The unabsorbed theobromine binds to it and be passed out ofrepparttar 125686 system. (In a pinch, burnt - as in thoroughly blackened - toast will do.)

**Are there any other products I should worry about?** Yes -- Cocoa Mulch!!

No, it's not chocolate, butrepparttar 125687 two products have something in common. They're both derived fromrepparttar 125688 cocoa bean, and they're both hazardous to your dogs health.

Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners likerepparttar 125689 attractive color and scent, andrepparttar 125690 fact thatrepparttar 125691 mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer.

Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.

Eating cocoa mulch has four possible outcomes. The most common is vomiting, in 50% of cases. Next most common, in 33% of cases, is tremors (shaking). And 17% end up with tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hyperactivity or diarrhea. The fourth outcome is no effect onrepparttar 125692 dogs health at all, and this isrepparttar 125693 result in 33% of cases.

Although only 16 cases were reported in approximately one year (the duration ofrepparttar 125694 study), reports are onrepparttar 125695 increase. California accounts for about 2/3 of cases reported so far. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities, and getting your friend torepparttar 125696 vet promptly will assure a happy outcome.

**What'srepparttar 125697 Bottom Line?**

Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days.

Still, it pays to keep up with what's currently known about various foods and their effects on a dogs health and well being. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were discovered only recently to have harmful effects.

If your dogs health is important to you (and I'm betting it is!), then keep him away fromrepparttar 125698 chocolates on Valentine's Day and other holidays as well. And watch out year round for products made fromrepparttar 125699 cocoa bean.

In an emergency, call your vet orrepparttar 125700 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Dr.Carolyn Schweitzer, a former family dentsit, is a PowerSeller on eBay and owner and editor of several websites, including www.Great-Dog-Gift.com Visit her there to read about other foods that can harm your dogs health, and check frequently with sources like the ASPCA for updates. Or sign up for her "Cold Noses News" and she'll keep you informed!


Tips For Traveling With Rover

Written by Ron Swerdfiger


Continued from page 1

- Carry a photograph of your dog incase he is accidently lost. Finding your dog will be a lot easier for everyone, If you have a picture.

Traveling by car

- keep your dog leashed whenever possible.

- Pack ID and a photo. Make sure your rover has his ID tags, with all important contact information (up to date). Along with his tags, make sure you have paperwork with current vaccinations and important health notes.

- Book your lodgings ahead. If your road trip involves staying overnight somewhere, insure that your accommodations allow dogs

- Is your dog ready for a long trip? If your dog is not use to long road trips it might be a good idea to get him accustomed to being inrepparttar car longer than a trip torepparttar 125681 grocery store..

- Keep your dog cool. If you don’t have air conditioning inrepparttar 125682 car, make sure you have a window down to let in fresh cool air.

Traveling with your four legged pal makes a great trip even better. If you follow these basic guideline and educate yourself on rules and regulations for traveling and accommodations you will have a great memory of your trip, that will last a lifetime.

Here are some great resources for info on dog friendly destinations.

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_18753_find-dog-friendly.html

http://www.food4pets.com/destinations/

http://www.petswelcome.com/

For more great Articles and dog info, visit www.web-rover.com


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