Scary Story about a Dangerous Ball Toy

This story was forwarded to my human partner's e-mail address, and it looked so scary that I had to post it for my friends to read. It is a warning about the toy seen in this picture, a ball made by the Four Paws company. Please go to this blog and read about it. It is a very dangerous toy. http://thechaistory.blogspot.com/2008/08/chai-story.html

"Ask Ginny"

Ginny invites you to write to her with your questions......
[Submit them as a comment on one of the "Ask Ginny" posts and Ginny will repost them in a new post segment.]

Q & A about health,

veterinary matters,

training, and life

Q: Dear Ginny,

I, too, am a beautiful female GSD. I HATE having my nails trimmed. I snarl and carry on but mom still insists on trimming them. She has never hit even come close to making my nails bleed but I still Hate it. Mom has seen a product advertised called PediPaws. This product looks good but mom doesn't want to spend the money if it's not worth it. Do you have any opinion or experience with this product? If, not, any suggestions?

--Thanks, Natti in Ohio

A: I have never had it used on me, and my partner does not know of anyone personally who has used it. However, for curiosity's sake, she looked up some comments on Google, and it does not sound like it is much different from a dremmel tool with a cover on it. Here is a groomers' forum with some comments about the PediPaws tool: http://www.petgroomerforums.com/chat/showthread.php?p=186053#post186053 . We do know a lot of breeders who like using a dremmel tool, but it does make noise, and I (being a rather noise-sensitive dog) do not like strange noises. I went to my current home when I was 10 months old. The first time my partner trimmed my nails, I started to throw a fit, but she calmly and firmly (but gently) lay on me until I calmed down. She did not even try to start again until I was calm. I let her do all my nails after that and have not minded it since then. I think the key is for your person to be very patient and just wait until you calm down before proceeding. Even so, I know that there are dogs who have a true phobia about nail trims. Sometimes the only answer is sedation.

Dog Dressage

A friend sent this incredible video, which I just had to share. It reminded me of watching the Lippizaner stallions perform. The music this dog and her handler dance to is beautiful, so make sure you have your speakers turned on. http://breathingeasy.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/dog-dance/

"Ask Ginny"

Ginny invites you to write to her with your questions...... [Submit them as a comment on one of the "Ask Ginny" posts and Ginny will repost them in a new post segment.]

Q & A about health, veterinary
matters, training, and life

Q: Dear Ginny, I recently had a litter of puppies. They are 8 weeks old, and doing great. My question is, at about 3 weeks, I started losing hair. It started low around my stomach and chest, but has since gone farther, and is traveling up my side. I am now losing much of my beautiful thick and soft coat. It has been uncommonly hot this year. Could that be a cause, or is it perhaps something more serious?

Thanks,

Eric S.

(profile link below) http://www.blogger.com/profile/13214969358950690069

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A: Well, assuming that you are not significantly itchy (i.e., scratching or licking yourself), then it is very likely that the hair loss is due to normal hormone fluctuations following whelping (delivery of pups). The scientific name for this condition is telogen effluvium. Again, it is NORMAL and the hair will grow back after several weeks. Now, if the hair is lost in patches, if the skin is itchy, or you see bumps or areas of redness, it may be something else entirely, and you should see your vet. Sometimes other hormone imbalances can mimic this post-whelping hair loss, so if there are any additional symptoms, you should definitely see your vet. For example, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormones) can cause weight gain, sluggishness, and symmetrical hair loss, among other things; Cushings syndrome (excessive internal steroid hormones) can cause increased thirst and urination, a pot belly, and numerous other signs. Again, if there are any questions at all, see your vet.

"Ask Ginny"

Ginny invites you to write to her with your questions...... [Submit them as a comment on one of the "Ask Ginny" posts and Ginny will repost them in a new post segment.]

Q & A about health, veterinary

matters, training, and life

Q: Dear Ginny,

I recently heard something about palm trees being poisonous. Do you have any information about this?

A: Well, not all palm trees are toxic, but one important one is: the Sago Palm, scientific name Cycas revoluta, of the Cycad palm family. ALL parts of this palm tree are poisonous. For a complete discussion on the toxicity of Sago and other cycad palms, see the excellent ASPCA Poison Control Center article on the following page:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert080108#1.


There are several other helpful lists on toxic and non-toxic plants and flowers:

1) ASPCA Toxic plants list: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants
2) ASPCA 17 most common poisonous plants: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_common
3) ASPCA Non-toxic plants list: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_nontoxicplants
4) ASPCA Non-toxic flowers and bouquets: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_flower
5) Univ. of Calif. at Davis, Toxic plants list--by common name and toxicity class: http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/poisplant/tox-com.htm

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