SPOT POST  *  Vol. 2 *  Issue 1 * February, 2003

CHOCOLATE TOXICITY IN DOGS

Have you ever come home to find that someone ate all of the chocolates your sweetie gave you for Valentine's Day?  Or worse...found chocolaty paw prints all over your furniture?  If you have and didn't give it much thought, you might be missing out on important information regarding your dog's health. 

The majority of pet guardians do not realize the potential for intoxication that chocolate possesses. Theobromine, caffeine and theophylline are all naturally occurring molecules that are found in several foods, plants, beverages and human and veterinary medications. Theobromine comes from the plant Theobroma cocoa and is present in chocolate, cocoa beans, cocoa bean hulls, cola and tea. 

The lethal dosage of theobromine in dogs is between 250 and 500 mgs/kg, or about 2/3 to 1 1/3 of baking chocolate for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. However, serious non-fatal poisonings have been reported in dogs after eating smaller amounts.  

No chocolate poisonings have been reported in cats, which is probably a reflection of their eating habits.  The first signs of chocolate poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination and nausea. These can progress to cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.

Dogs definitely have a sweet tooth. Dog-proof your home to keep your dog safe. Milk chocolate should never be given to your pet and it should be kept well out of reach. Unsweetened baking chocolate should be kept in closed containers in upper, latched cupboards where thieving little pups can't get to it. 

 If your dog eats chocolate get to your vet IMMEDIATELY.  It is often hard to know exactly how much has been consumed and as the saying goes...better safe than sorry.  If caught within the first two hours of ingestion, vomiting can be induced to remove the poison.  However, some dogs require longer periods of treatment. 

 It is our responsibility to keep our animals safe. Protect your dogs from their own sweet tooth.

   GIVE YOUR PET A VALENTINE 

Want to give your best buddy a Valentine he'll never forget?  How about baking up a yummy and healthy treat just for him?   

 Peanut Butter Biscuits

• 1 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup soy flour
• 1 Tbl. baking powder
• 1-1/4 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400. In a mixing bowl, combine oat flour, soy flour and baking powder. In a blender, blend peanut butter and milk. Pour peanut butter mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out dough 1/4 in. thick and cut into squares or use a cookie cutter. Place biscuits on baking sheet about 1/2 in. apart and bake for 15 min., or until lightly browned. Biscuits should be refrigerated or frozen.

So your feline friend is on the finicky side and peanut butter biscuits just aren't too appetizing?  How about making a toy he's sure to love!

Take old, throwaway blue jeans and cut approximately 8" squares of material from them.  Lay the square flat and pour a little mountain of catnip in the middle, then gather the corners and edges of the square together above the catnip and wrap a wide, heavyweight ribbon around the top of the bulb made by the catnip and tie a strong double-knot or you can sew the package together for added durability.  You can even tie a bell to the ribbon for added playtime enjoyment. 

Help SPOT While Shopping Online

Shopping online is wonderful...no lines, no searching for that perfect parking space.  But wouldn't your online shopping experience be even better if you were helping a great cause? 

It's easy!  Simply go to http://www.mycause.com/spot and purchase products from a number of popular retailers and they will donate up to 12% of the purchase price to SPOT, without any additional cost to you.  So shop online and help make a difference in your community for the animals.

Donations Help Stop the Killing

FACT:  Over 56% of dogs and puppies and 71% of cats and kittens entering animal controls are killed, based on reports from 1,055 facilities across America.

-National Council on Pet Overpopulation Study and Policy, "Shelter Statistics Survey" 1997 data.

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) is a non-profit alliance of dog and cat rescuers, veterinarians, and pet lovers working to reduce the number of dogs and cats killed in Atlanta-area shelters.  SPOT is in constant need of funds to continue our spaying and neutering efforts.  For every pet we spay/neuter we prevent thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens.  

SPOT is also in the process of producing TV ads which will help convey our very important message.  However, airtime costs money and without donations these ads might never be seen.  SPOT donations also make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.  You may also make a donation in memory of someone or a beloved pet.  Please include a note with your donation  , including the address of the person who you want us to send an acknowledgement of you donation and let us know if you would like the donation mentioned as a tribute in an upcoming email newsletter by emailing Nichole.  What better way to say you care?  

So please, make your donation today!!

To make your tax deductible donation online, go to our secure Paypal link or send your check or money order, made payable to SPOT, to the address below.  We also accept material donations such as cars, stock, land, boats and other items that can be auctioned off on Ebay. 

SPOT, P.O. Box 801012, Acworth, GA 30101

Education Web Site: www.spotsociety.org

Adoption Web Site: www.petorphans.com

Instructions for Paypal:

 IT'S A PUG'S LIFE

Southeast Pug Rescue & Adoption, Inc. (SEPRA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to rescuing all pugs and pug mixes in need.  Started in 1990, SEPRA has grown leaps and bounds over the years to accommodate the growing number of pugs in need.  In 2002, SEPRA rescued and placed 84 pugs and pugs mixes.  These pugs come from shelters, families who can no longer care for them and some are even found wandering the streets cold, hungry, tired and abused.  SEPRA's vet bills in 2002 were $48,000, which includes the pugs rescued in its affiliate in Missouri.

All adoptions are handled by application only and no on-site adoptions ever take place.  SEPRA's officers spend a great deal of volunteer hours checking applications, calling personal and veterinarian references as well as performing home checks on each and every adoption.  All of this takes an extraordinary amount of time for people who also work full time jobs in addition to volunteering for rescue.

When a pug is surrendered to SEPRA, he/she is placed in a private foster home for vet work and personality evaluation as they wait patiently for that perfect forever home to come along.  SEPRA does not operate in a shelter atmosphere and it relies on the giving and caring foster homes to nurse these pugs, physically and emotionally, back to health.  SEPRA could not function without incredible dedication of such foster homes.  Many of them have been the backbone of SEPRA's fostering team for years.

One such foster home is that of Suzann Wilcox.  Suzann adopted Rosie, a fawn female pug, back in January 2001.  She had lost her cat of 20 years a year prior to that and was finally ready to open her heart and home to an animal in need.  Rosie was originally given up because her former guardians were told she needed eye surgery and they could not afford it.  As it turns out, with daily eye medication, Rosie is doing just fine!  Many pugs require eye drops due to their protruding eyes and this did not phase Suzann at all.  She had done her research on pugs and knew this was all part of the game.  It was love at first sight and Suzann and Rosie have been inseparable ever since.  

Not long after getting Rosie settled in and after lots of correspondence with SEPRA, Suzann saw that there was a need for foster homes for pugs just like Rosie, until their forever home is found.  She wanted to do something to help and fostering was her choice.  Suzann quickly learned the fostering ropes and has never looked back.  Although she has a full time career as an attorney in Cobb County and volunteers with various other groups, Suzann has found it in her heart to foster any pug in need that has come through SEPRA's doors for the last two years.  Trips to vets, communicating with a placement officer, contacting applicants, performing home checks and various other duties for SEPRA has more than filled her time for the last two years.  But, if you ask her, she'd tell you it is all well worth it.  "I am constantly in awe of the people I volunteer with, such as SEPRA President Brenda Megel and Vice President Andrea McIlvain.  SEPRA is an extraordinary organization made of people  who give 110% at all times to be sure that these abused and neglected pets have the lives they deserve--no matter how long those lives may be," says Suzann.

Suzann fostered a pug who ended up needing liver surgery and she was right there to know that something was wrong and Yogi needed help.  She has fostered pugs who were perfectly healthy, but now just needed re-homing.  She is up for anything.  Not only has Suzann made an incredible difference in the lives of so many pugs, but their new forever families as well.  She keeps in touch with each family after the adoption to answer any questions and to make sure that particular pug is adjusting and doing well.  She continues to selflessly give of her time and love to help each and every one she can.  Just a regular person making an incredible difference.

Ms. Rosie

To adopt or volunteer with Southeast Pug Rescue & Adoption, go to their website www.rescuepug.com

        FOREVER BONDED

Hello.  My name is Amy.  In May of 1998 I adopted Sara, my black lab.  Her "owner" didn't want her anymore because she had developed  a brindle on her chin and could no longer be used as a show dog.  He said she was no "use" to him any longer.  She has been nothing but wonderful to me!  She has been the most wonderful companion.  She is sweet, gentle, loving and playful.

This past November, Sara was diagnosed with undifferentiated malignant melanoma.  Her doctor has giver her six months to live (at best).  She just underwent surgery to have a tumor removed from her mouth, but she is back home now recovering.  She is not in any pain right now, and the cancer has not turned up anywhere else, but they tell me it is just a matter of time.

As I face losing the best friend I have in this world, I felt compelled to write to you and let you know what a blessing it has been to have Sara in my life.  She brings me joy everyday.  I cannot imagine anymore what life was like before she was here with me, and I do not want to think about how quiet it is going to be to come home from work and not have her wagging her tail at me.  I do not want to think about driving around town without my best companion.

Sara is a very spoiled dog--and you better believe she is even more spoiled now than she has ever been.  Your rescue group gave Sara another chance which you know you do with many dogs every day.  What you may not realize is the blessing and the chance you are giving people like me.  She has been a true blessing to me and if I ever consider another dog, I know he/she will come from a rescue group.

For now, I am enjoying the time Sara and I have left together and thanking God every day for her and for groups like yours.

Thank you for more blessings than you know.

-Amy

On behalf of everyone with SPOT, our hopes and prayers are with you, Amy and Sara.

Have a suggestion for the next SPOT POST? 

If so, please contact SPOT POST Editor Nichole Garmon via email or at (678) 363-5443.

Well Mannered Pets are Welcome in the Store.   

Innova, Wellness, California Natural and Flint River are available in their premium pet food section.

Call for Pet Adoption Days & Times this Spring.

Mention this ad and receive $5.00 off a $25.00 or more purchase.  This offer is not valid for pet food.

*Help your business.  Help the animals.  If you are interested in placing an ad in the next SPOT Post, please email Nichole Garmon for pricing information.  

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          CAT OBESITY   

"Dogs have masters...cats have staff."  While this little phrase without a doubt gets a laugh or two, there might be some truth to it.  Cats are great companion animals.  They sleep with you, curl up in their favorite blanket and generally just hang out.  But aside from the kitten stage, how much exercise does your kitty actually get?

Obesity is the number one nutritional disorder among cats.  Studies suggest that approximately 25 percent of the cats presented to veterinary clinics are overweight.  This extra weight puts pets at risk for certain health problems involving the cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems.  Knowing how to recognize the signs of obesity and take corrective action is important.  But more importantly, is knowing how to keep pets in good body condition to start, thus avoiding the development of obesity in the first place.

  Defining Obesity

Animals with an excessive accumulation of body fat to the point of being 20 percent or more over ideal body weight are considered obese.  Weight gain occurs when animals consume more calories than they use.  This gain may be slow and gradual or occur rapidly depending on the size of the difference between energy intake and energy use.

 Causes of Obesity

The causes of obesity generally fall into three categories: inappropriate diet, genetic predisposition, and hormonal disorders.

 Recognizing Obesity

A good method for evaluating the body condition of dogs and cats calls for observing and feeling the animal's body.  By using the descriptions at the end of this section, the cat's body condition can be determined.  This system is most useful if assessments are repeated periodically.  This allows you to continually adjust the amount of good you serve and the amount of exercise your cat needs to receive in order to maintain a good body condition.

 Weight Control Guidelines

Preventing excessive weight gain is the best approach to weight control in pets.  It is much more difficult to achieve weight loss once the animal has gained the extra pounds.  For those pets at risk of becoming overweight or for those already carrying extra pounds, there are a few simply guidelines that may apply.  First, reduce or eliminate table scraps and treats.  These are often high in fat and calories.  Also, reduce the amount of pet food.  It is always best to measure the amount of food.  This helps keep the serving size consistent and helps prevent overeating.  Another way to shed some extra pounds if by increasing the amount of exercise your pet receives.  For cats, you may have to entice them to play as a way to increase activity.  There are also many low-fat and low-calorie pet foods available.  By reducing fat intake and increasing fiber consumption, this will allow you to continue to serve a nice-sized portion while reducing the number of calories the pet actually receives. 

As with any program, you should always consult your veterinarian.  Your vet can help you design a weight loss program that fits the needs of the individual pet and identify any specific problems and suggest alternatives along the way.