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The San Francisco Dog Walker
Maybe you have seen this plant at a San Francisco dog park? . . . I took these pictures at Stern Grove.
I was told by a former San Francisco city parks gardener that this plant is called Hemlock and is very poisonous to dogs!
What makes it particularly troubling is that is grows in abundance and it grows next to that tasty grass your dog loves.
If you see this plant, keep your dog away!
Here are the ones to look out for!
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Ibuprofen (Advil) can cause gastrointestinal irritation, stomach ulcers, and kidney damage in dogs.
Naproxen (Aleve) has a long half-life in dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, anemia, melena (digested blood in feces), and vomiting.
Antifreeze is very dangerous to dogs and causes central nervous system depression and acute renal failure. Treatment needs to be within eight hours of ingestion to be successful.
Mouse and rat poison ingestion is common in dogs. Most rodenticides in the United States are anticoagulant by depleting Vitamin K. This type is the most frequent cause of poisoning in pets. Third generation products contain brodifacoum or bromadiolone and are toxic after a single ingestion. Signs include spontaneous and excessive bleeding internally and externally. Treatment is with Vitamin K supplementation. Other rodenticides may contain cholecalciferol which causes hypercalcemia and leads to heart and kidney problems. Newer rodenticides may contain bromethalin which causes central nervous system signs such as seizures, muscle tremors, and depression.
Insecticides used in dogs for fleas and ticks commonly contain either organophosphates or carbamates. they can be absorbed through the skin, conjunctiva, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Organophosphates inhibit acetylcholinesterase irreversibly and carbamates inhibit cholinesterase reversibly. Toxicity occurs through overdosage with an appropriate product or use of an agricultural product. Signs for both include hypersalivation, vomiting, lethargy, tremors, difficulty walking, weakness, and death.
Chocolate is a common cause of poisoning in dogs. The toxic principles in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine. Baker’s chocolate is the most dangerous form since it contains higher concentrations of these drugs, followed by semi-sweet, dark, and then milk chocolate. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, difficulty walking, seizures, and heart problems.
Lead poisoning is uncommon in dogs. Exposure to lead is from eating paint chips from lead-based paint (found in houses painted prior to 1950), and eating lead objects such as shot, fishing sinkers, or counterweights. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, blindness, seizures, and tremors.
Raisins and grapes are potential causes of kidney failure in dogs.
Scientists claim that we can now give our pets the flu virus and that some people’s pets have died as a result. It worries researchers because it means that there is a possibility of transmitting diseases to animals, which opens a new can or worms in terms of mutations, new viral forms and evolving diseases. Oregon State University recently reported this information and recommends that if you have the flu or a cold, to try to stay away from your pets as much as possible, while you are contagious.
Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker
I came upon a Dog Walker in McLaren Park while he was on his cell phone discussing an issue with one of his clients. As he was preoccupied and had his back to his pack of dogs, he didn’t notice that one of the dogs was drinking from a muddy puddle of water. As a fellow SF Dog Walker, I thought I would help him out by shooing the dog away from it. When he got off the phone, he said that I need not bother doing this in the future; that he lets his dogs drink from puddles and has been doing so for over 10 years and nothing has happened yet. He then reminded me of the time that I informed him that one of his dogs was eating a dead seal on the beach. He informed me that the dog had been eating dead sea lions on the beach for years and nothing had happened yet.
As a SF Dog Walker, I know from research that puddles in San Francisco Parks are often sources of drinking water for racoons, rats and other wildlife and can cause a dog to develop bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, by infecting the dog with Giardia, a water borne disease. Additionally, if a dog is eating dead or coming into contact with dying seals on the beach, they are potentially being exposed to Leptospirosis – a serious and deadly situation.
These two diseases are currently very active in San Francisco and both are contagious to dogs and humans and can be passed from dog to human. What this means to the average San Franciscan is that the family dog may be exposing your family to very serious illnesses if they are regularly drinking from muddy puddles in the parks or eating dead or dying seals on the beach.
Why should my puppy attend a Social?
Puppy Socials are hour-long play sessions where puppies get to play off-leash in a supervised setting. Puppies who get to play with lots of different puppies during their early months learn how to communicate better with other dogs, learn confidence around other dogs, and are much more well-adjusted as adults.
Just playing with other dogs in your house or the neighbor’s dog isn’t enough – they need to learn to be comfortable around unfamiliar dogs too. Dogs have different communication styles and the more dog language your puppy understands the less likely there is to be a misunderstanding between dogs. Supervision is important when puppies play too. Shy puppies can get bullied and become fearful.
Also, at this young age a puppy is learning how to use their teeth. We want them to learn how to inhibit their bites so that their teeth don’t damage other dogs or people when they’re adults. Simply telling them “NO” when they bite won’t teach them anything about jaw pressure.
Who is eligible to attend Puppy Socials?
Puppy Socials are for puppies aged 8 weeks to 6 months. Check the Internet to find one that fits your needs.
I have heard about using Benadryl to calm an anxious dog down, but now there is new evidence that Melatonin might work better in some dogs. Dog owners who are interested in a natural treatment for behavioral problems should ask their veterinarian about melatonin for dogs. Melatonin is a neurohormone, and it can be used as a sedative. There is no specific formulation of melatonin for dogs. It’s manufactured in human formulation, and the FDA has not actually approved its use in dogs. Veterinarians often prescribe it for a number of different treatments in dogs. Melatonin does not require a prescription. The human formulation is sold under the brand name Melatonex®, and it can be found in generic form simply labeled as melatonin.
Many owners have successfully used melatonin for dogs that are anxious or display other behavior problems. It can help calm a dog that becomes frightened at loud noises, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or other sounds. The medication is often prescribed for canines that suffer from separation anxiety, such as when their owner leaves the house to go to work. Some dogs become overly excited at night and begin pacing or otherwise become a nuisance while the household is trying to sleep. Melatonin often works to calm a dog down enough so that it can rest.
Avoid the routine of crating your dog all day.
This can lead to future behavior problems.
The crate is a safe place for the dog to rest, but it doesn’t teach the dog good habits.
Use a crate wisely.
Don’t overuse it.
There is a new alternative to surgery for joint injuries such as ACL tears in the knee, dysplasia and arthritis. Prolotherapy is an injection technique that stimulates growth of cells and tissue that stabilize and strengthen weakened joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. The injected stimulates the tissue to heal and regrow new tissue. Go to www.getprolo.com for more information.
DNA technology has become an extremely important tool for veterinarians in keeping your pet healthy. Many diseases are related to a dog’s genetic make-up. Knowing your mix’s genetic predisposition can help your vet anticipate problems, such as hip dysplasia, so they can provide early diagnosis or preventive care. Knowing the DNA can also help the vet when prescribing medications. Some breeds are allergic to common medications and so this knowledge can help your vet avoid any mishaps.
Posted by the San Francisco Dog WalkerFive documented cases of Leptospirosis in the past two months! Don’t let your pets near muddy puddles in the parks or dead seals on the beaches! Leptospirosis is rarely seen in San Francisco’s dog population, but this year, it’s rampant.
This potentially fatal bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals, particularly wildlife like raccoons, skunks and coyotes. If excreted in standing water, it can live for weeks if not months, infecting dogs and other animals tramping through or drinking from puddles. This year’s marked increase in leptospirosis cases is likely due to the mud and puddles left by the rains.
When the disease is caught in time, most studies show a 75 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, the initial symptoms can be hard to recognize. Symptoms are often non-specific and variable, and can include lethargy, decreased appetite, increased drinking and/or urination, vomiting or diarrhea.
Leptospirosis is preventable: the canine DHLPP vaccine protects against the bacteria, as well as against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Though the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, it is a dog’s best defense.
If your dog seems to be under the weather, “it is important to bring up to your veterinarian that your dog is out at the park or swims a lot, as these lifestyle components increase exposure to leptospirosis.
The DHLPP vaccination is available at any veterinary office.
With names referencing death and destruction, it’s no wonder the Amanita mushroom genus contains some of the most famous and deadly of all poisonous mushrooms. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) is suspected to have caused more mushroom poisoning deaths than any other species!
Yet what makes some amanita mushrooms so poisonous? Certain species of Amanita contain amanitin, a deadly amatoxin.
Amatoxins are some of the most lethal poisons found in nature. These toxins work by slowly shutting down the liver and kidneys. Often the victim will appear sick at first, and then seem to get better. Unfortunately the amatoxins are still at work, and death may occur anywhere from a few days to a week after ingestion.
This poison knows no real antidote beyond treating the victim with an extract of milk thistle. Milk thistle protects against liver damage from toxins, and is one of the treatments for amanita mushroom poisoning.
Despite this treatment, it’s said that one cap of a death cap is enough to kill. Given the danger, we’d better learn some poisonous mushroom identification! Visit this page to learn how to identify poisonous amanita mushrooms in general.
Remember: Never solely identify any mushroom based on what you’ve seen on any website (including this one) or by comparing it to a picture in a book. Always obtain hands-on expert help when identifying a new mushroom and never eat anything you’re not sure of!
Cap
Between 3 to 6 inches acrossStem
Because they form as a small button, an amanita may sometimes be mistaken for an edible puffball. This is why it’s essential to slice a puffball open before eating it. Puffballs are white and solid on the inside with no gills. If you see gills, you may have an amanita on your hands.
Once the mushroom has grown, the sac-like remnants of this universal veil are still an important identification characteristic. It’s often underground so you may have to dig carefully around the base to find it.
However, never assume that you don’t have an amanita mushroom just because you can’t find the sac. It may have disintegrated or broken away. Use all features for poisonous mushroom identification, not just one!
Other Infamous Amanita
No page on poisonous mushrooms would be complete without discussing the death cap’s deadly cousin, the destroying angel.
The term “destroying angel” actually refers to a few all-white poisonous mushrooms in the Amanita genus. They are:
Amanita virosa is known as the “European destroying angel”. There is some disagreement as to whether this mushroom exists in the United States.
Destroying angels are sometimes mistaken for edible mushrooms such as young puffballs, button mushrooms, and meadow mushrooms. Thus it’s important to learn how to identify them.
The destroying angel is very similar to the death cap in terms of identification. The biggest difference is that they’re all white, with no green or yellow tint. They’re recognized by their rounded base, white color, and smooth cap. One bite of these may contain enough amatoxins to kill!
Of course, not every species in the Amanita mushroom genus is poisonous. Some, such as Amanita caesarea (Caesar’s mushroom), are edible. Yet given the danger involved in eating the wrong amanita, it’s best to avoid the genus entirely unless you really know what you’re doing.
It’s important to learn how to recognize Amanitas (especially the death cap and the destroying angel) if one is going to start eating wild mushrooms. Proper knowledge can prevent a fatal mistake!
– See more at: http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/death-cap.html#sthash.aPp52tla.dpuf
One of my clients has a 14 year old lab mix dog and the dog’s health has been spiraling downhill for the past year. One day when she was out for a walk, she fell and wound up with a dislocated disc in her back. After that, she could no longer stand, nor walk and even getting outside to go potty was becoming a real struggle. The owner was ready to put the dog down when I suggested that they try something called VOM.
Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation is a healing technology that locates areas of the animals nervous system that has fallen out of communication, and re-establishes neuronal communication and thus induces healing. VOM is singularly the most simple, effective and safe healing modality in veterinary care to date. VOM exists in a gray area between both professions (Veterinary and Chiropractic) and benefits from the positive aspects of both, a hybrid, and thus more effective than either by themselves. VOM is not animal chiropractic care. You may see a response while your pet is on the examination table. It can be that fast. An experienced Vet may have treated cases who haven’t walked for weeks, given up for dead, with one adjustment thrust and pet stands and walks about the exam room!
VOM is performed by Michael Schneider, who is also a human chiropractor in San Francisco. For a relatively small sum of money, he will come to your house and do a series of procedures on your dog, if you are unable to go to him. My client’s dog is not only standing, but she is running around and not falling down! She is back on her daily walks and is happy and feeling good. Find out more about Michael Schneider and VOM go to www.michaelschneiderdc.com or call him directly at 415-292-7878. This is completely awesome!
Have you seen the Red Tides at Fort Funston?
If you have been out to Fort Funston, you might have been lucky enough to see an unusual red color in the water. Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon more correctly known as an algal bloom. These algae are plant-like organisms that can form dense, visible patches near the water’s surface.
Some red tides are associated with the production of natural toxins, depletion of dissolved oxygen or other harmful effects, and are generally described as harmful algal blooms. The most conspicuous effects of red tides are the associated wildlife mortalities among marine and coastal species of fish, birds, and marine mammals. This is probably why there were dead crabs on the beach a couple of days before the red tide showed it’s face to us.
At this point, it is unknown if the red tide is toxic to dogs and humans, but some surfers have stated that they have been sick after being out in this water. The red color will disappear once the conditions change.
If you have been wondering about the origin of the foam you can often find on the beach during the summer, it has noting to do with soap suds.It is caused by the decaying remains of microscopic organisms in the sea.
Every spring the ocean has sudden bursts of life. Phytoplankton bloom starts at the end of March. After a couple of weeks tiny algae like diatoms occur in such numbers that the water becomes yellow-brown.
So, what is that black stuff on the beach in Fort Funston? Is it oil left over from the Cosco Busan spill? No, in fact it is the chalky substance-veins of volcanic ash thrown from Mount Lassen thousands of years ago. After all of our heavy storms this winter, most of the top layer of silica sand had been blown or washed away to leave dark colored streaks on the beaches. This black sand is a kind of iron ore called magnetite. The magnetite is a part of the cliff walls, and as the sandstone erodes, it leaves the heavier iron-based magnetite on the beach.
Black sand can be seen as a layer on top of silica sand in regions with high wave energy. This weight enables it to remain when high-energy waves wash the lighter sand grains out into the surf zone.
Take a magnet with you to the beach and run it through the sand, magnetite will stick to the ends. The dark minerals in beach sand at right, from Fort Funston are primarily magnetite and amphiboles, which are non-magnetic black minerals. Both of these mineral types tend to fracture into very small grains that collect on the surface of the sand, by virtue of being smaller and, therefore, lighter.
(taken directly from the GGNRA website)
San Francisco Bay Area dog groups are suing the government over their plan to eliminate dog walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area – GGNRA. They have launched WoofieLeaks an online website where information exposes a biased federal process which shows contempt for those who dared to stand in the way.
Many of the documents on WoofieLeaks.com raise serious questions regarding a fair planning process. The emails and internal documents were obtained as part of a federal lawsuit for failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.
Morrison & Foerster says these emails and documents are just the tip of the iceberg, pointing out the agency may be withholding a stockpile of emails. For instance, Howard Levitt, the GGNRA’s former Director of Communications and Partnerships, can’t “recall” his password to an email system prior to 2013 and so, the agency claims, those emails are inaccessible. Both Levitt and former Superintendent Frank Dean were also caught using their private email accounts to discuss the dog planning process, according to recently obtained records.
Kennel Cough is an airborne disease that is very contagious among dogs. This year, Kennel Cough has been very active in the bay area and extremely difficult to control. Kennel Cough, also know as, Bordetella bronchiseptica is most often spread in facilities where dogs are enclosed. Places such as boarding kennels, groomers, dog shelters, veterinarian offices, and dog parks are all places where your dog may be at risk of infection, due to their close proximity to other dogs that may be already infected with the virus.
So what is Kennel Cough exactly? Dogs will develop a harsh, hacking cough and most often become very sick and mimic symptoms similar to our own flu symptoms. The incubation period is about 5 days, so that means your dog will not show any signs until 5 days after exposure. If you dog has contacted Kennel Cough, it is imperative that you keep them away from other dogs to keep from spreading the disease!
One of the main problems of Kennel Cough is that the virus is being shed 2 days prior to any coughing symptoms, so your dog may be infecting others and you may not be aware of it! Also, it is important to note that Kennel Cough can take 2 weeks for recovery, so you dog should not be going outside for a very long period of time, which can cause sadness and depression. Kennel Cough is often thought to be non-contagious after your dog has started the antibiotics. Wrong! You dog can be contagious for a two to three week period following the onset and you should not let your pet around other dogs especially if they still have any cough. It is worth noting that sometimes the cough seems as if it has gone away, but in fact, it is just hiding and not noticed until the dog begins actively running.
Veterinarians offer a vaccination called a Bordetella shot, which stays active for 6 months and then must be repeated. But even though your dog gets a Bordetella shot twice a year, it is no guarantee that you dog will not come down with the virus. 100% guarantee is impossible because the strains of the virus mutate from year to year and the vaccine developers need to guess what strains will be prevalent.
Bordetella shots are usually combined with the annual DHLPP vaccination, but you must ask for it, it is not automatically given to your dog.
The hacking cough can last seven to 14 days and may be much more severe in very young or very old dogs. These dogs can develop a secondary bacterial lung infection, or even pneumonia, which will cause them to become lethargic and have a decreased appetite. It is very important to keep your dog well rested and isolated from other dogs.
The silver lining in this cloud is that if your dog has been vaccinated, your dog will probably exhibit the illness for a much shorter duration and less severe symptoms than those that have not been vaccinated.
Posted by the San Francisco Dog WalkerHappy Valentine’s Day everybody! It’s our ten year anniversary today.
Yes, I know, how cliche to start my business on the BIG HEART DAY! But how could I resist?
My client’s dogs are just so lovable!!!
