HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS  (Courtesy of Dr James Hagedorn, DVM, and Dr Wayne North, DVM)

You think your house is clean? Just wait until your new puppy gets home. You'll be amazed at the things it will find on your floors.

Puppies explore almost everything with their mouths, including lethal toxins often found around the house. Here are some tips to guard against accidental poisoning. With any of these situations it is best to take the puppy to the veterinarian immediately.

1) Never give your puppy human drugs like ibuprofen, and don't leave these drugs where your puppy may get them. These medications can cause vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding of the stomach and kidney failure may develop.

2) Keep chocolates out of your puppy's reach. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine that is highly toxic to dogs and can kill them.

3) Your household probably has its share of insecticides. Store these in a safe location where your puppy won't find them. Follow the package directions for flea treatments and make sure the product states that it is safe to use on puppies. If you've hired an exterminator to get rid of rodents, be aware that rodent baits are flavorful by design and will also taste good to your puppy. Also, if your neighborhood is being sprayed for bugs, keep your puppy inside.

4) Danger lurks in the garage, too. Automotive antifreeze, in particular, can be dangerous for your pup because of its sweet taste and toxic ingredients. Any other solvents, grease, oils or fuels consumed in large quantities can also dangerous. For safety's sake don't kennel your puppy in the garage or let it roam unsupervised.

5) Avoid exercising your puppy on your lawn if it has been recently fertilized or sprayed for insects.

6) Don't leave pennies where your pup may find them. These coins contain zinc and their ingestion could result in zinc toxicity.

7) Household cleaning supplies should be kept out of reach. Most of them will not taste good to your puppy but could be harmful if tipped over and spilled.

8) Some plants and flowers are dangerous for puppies including azaleas, mistletoe berries, daffodil bulbs, lilies of the valley, milkweed, oleander shrubs, hyacinth bulbs and rhododendrons. Plant types typically vary from region to region so find out which ones are in your locality.

9) Post the toll-free number for the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) (800) 548-2423 near your telephone. In most cases, NAPCC charges $30.00 to a major credit card, or you can have the service charged to your phone bill ($20. For the first five minutes, $2.95 per minute thereafter) by calling (900) 680-0000. Have handy your puppy's age, breed, sex and weight and the amount and kind of toxin ingested.

Hawaiian Bone Cookies ... the dogs just love these! Makes 20 cookies Preparation Time:  10 Minutes Baking Time:  20 Minutes
To make these cookies in the shape of a bone, gently pat dough on a floured surface until 1/2 inch thick.     Lightly coat dough with flour and cut out cookie using a bone-shaped cookie cutter.
1 ( 8 ounce ) can unsweetened crushed  pineapple 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup honey                                                                              1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 teaspoon baking soda   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Drain pineapple and set aside.  In a bowl, combine oil and honey.  Add egg, pineapple and vanilla and mix thoroughly.   In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir well.  Drop tablespoonfuls of mixture onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.  Cool on rack.  "Bone" Appetit, Fido!   Per cookie:  90 calories, 2 grams of protein, 14 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fat, 56 milligrams of sodium.
DOG BISCUITS
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon beef bullion cubes 1 egg 1/2 cup powdered milk 1 tablespoon wheat germ 1 tablespoon bacon grease or meat drippings 1/2 cup ice water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Combine all dry ingredients.  Cut in drippings.  Mix in egg.  Add enough ice water for mixture to form a ball.  Pat or roll dough to 1/2" thick.  Cut out.  Bake - 30 minutes.    Cool.   Store in air tight containers.

Karen Allen

Cumming, GA 30028

Phone: (404) 906-3974

KCAllen@mthopestandardpoodles.com