From the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^® (ASPCA)

Although many people have discovered the beneficial effects of caring for a furry friend, the fact remains that roughly 15 to 20% of the population is allergic to animals. The result? Countless pet parents in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause! Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. Touching or inhaling allergens leads to reactions in allergic individuals. Symptoms can include red, itchy, watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin, and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.

The most common pet allergens are proteins found in their dander (scales of old skin that are constantly shed by an animal), saliva, urine and sebaceous cells. Any animal can trigger an allergic response, but cats are the most common culprits. People can also become allergic to exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and rodents. There is no species or breed to which humans cannot develop allergies. Fur length and type will not affect or prevent allergies. Certain pets can be less irritating than others to those who suffer from allergies, but that is strictly on an individual basis and cannot be predicted.

Once the diagnosis of a pet allergy is made, a physician will often recommend eliminating the companion animal from the surroundings. Heartbreaking? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Not always. Keep in mind that most people are allergic to several things besides pets, such as dust mites, molds and pollens, all of which can be found in the home. Allergic symptoms result from the total cumulative allergen load. That means that if you eliminate some of the other allergens, you may not have to get rid of your pet. (Conversely, should you decide to remove your pet from your home, this may not immediately solve your problems.) You must also be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to decontaminate your home environment, limit future exposure to allergens and find a physician who will work with you. Read on for helpful tips:
Improving the Immediate Environment

• Create an allergen-free room. A bedroom is often the best and most practical choice. By preventing your pet from entering this room, you can ensure at least eight hours of freedom from allergens every night. It’s a good idea to use hypoallergenic bedding and pillow materials.
• Limit fabrics. Allergens collect in rugs, drapes and upholstery, so do your best to limit or eliminate them from your home. If you choose to keep some fabrics, steam-clean them regularly. Cotton-covered furniture is the smartest choice, and washable blinds or shades make good window treatments. You can also cover your furniture with sheets or blankets which you can remove and wash regularly.
• Vacuum frequently using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter or a disposable electrostatic bag. Other kinds of bags will permit allergens to blow back out of the vacuum.
• Install an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter. Our modern, energy-efficient homes lock in air that is loaded with allergens, so it’s smart to let in some fresh air daily.
• Use anti-allergen room sprays. These sprays deactivate allergens, rendering them harmless. Ask your allergist for a product recommendation.
• Clean the litter box frequently. Use low-dust, perfume-free filler. Clumping litter is a good choice.
• Dust regularly. Wiping down the walls will also cut down on allergens.
• Invest in washable pet bedding and cages that can be cleaned often and easily.

Decontaminating Your Pet

• Bathe your pet at least once a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo that won’t dry out his skin. Bathing works to wash off the allergens that accumulate in an animal’s fur.
• Wipe your pet with a product formulated to prevent dander from building up and flaking off into the environment. Ask your veterinarian to suggest one that is safe to use on animals who groom themselves.
• Note any symptoms of dermatitis exhibited by your companion animal. Dermatitis often leads to accelerated skin and fur shedding, which will up your allergen exposure.
• Brush or comb your pet frequently. It’s best to do this outdoors, if possible. (The ASPCA does not recommend keeping cats outdoors, so make sure your feline is leashed if you take him outside.)

Taking Care of Yourself

• If possible, have someone other than yourself do the housecleaning, litter box work and pet washing, wiping and brushing. If you must clean the house or change the litter, be sure to wear a dust mask.
• Wash your hands after handling your companion animal and before touching your face. The areas around your nose and eyes are particularly sensitive to allergens.
• Designate a “pet outfit” from among your most easily washed clothes. Wear it when playing or cuddling with your companion, and you’ll leave other clothing uncontaminated.
• Find a physician, preferably an allergy specialist, who will make sure that your pet is the cause of your allergies and will help alleviate your symptoms. Medications and immunotherapy (desensitizing shots) can often allow you and your companion animal to remain together happily ever after.

Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

As wildfires ravage California, the Humane Society of the United States is urging residents to prepare a disaster plan that includes their pets and other animals.

Remember, if it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your animals. Evacuating requires planning and preparation to ensure safety, especially for families with animals.

“California is no stranger to devastating wildfires. It is imperative that all of us with pets or animals in our care are prepared to evacuate with a tailored plan and the essential supplies,” said Jenny Berg, California state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “Please monitor and follow evacuation information from officials and stay safe during this challenging time of year.”

Stay up to date with evacuation orders and other information from local authorities via www.caloes.ca.gov and www.fire.ca.gov. Officials throughout the region are urging people and animals to stay indoors due to poor air quality caused by the fires.

It is advisable to have a disaster kit for your pet ready in your home at all times so you are able to evacuate with your pets at a moment’s notice. Items to include:

• Food and water for at least five days for each pet. Also, bring bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food.
• Medications for at least five days and all medical records, including vaccination history. Keep these stored in a waterproof container. You may also consider storing them digitally on a flash drive or online.
• Ensure your pet is wearing a collar with tags for identification. Microchipping your pet is ideal as collars can be easily removed.
• Pack a pet first aid kit.
• Litter box with extra litter and a scoop.
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely.
• Current photos of you with your pets and descriptions of your animals.
• Comfort items, such as a pet bed or a special toy, to reduce stress.
• Written information about your pet’s feeding schedules, medical conditions, and behavior issues, along with the name and number of your veterinarian. This information can also be kept digitally.

Additional Tips for Animal Safety During Wildfires:

• If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. Never assume you will be able to return home to your animals if you leave. If you are in a threatened or impacted area, contact your local office of emergency management or follow guidance on their official website to verify that there will be shelters in your area that take people and their pets. Have a list of hotels and motels that accept pets within a 100-mile radius of your home. Keep in mind that in a catastrophic event, local hotels will fill quickly. If possible, make arrangements with friends or relatives to ensure that you and your pets can seek shelter in their homes. If housing together is not an option, know your pet boarding options and requirements. As a last resort, connect with your local animal shelter to determine if they offer temporary boarding during the crisis. They may also be impacted by the disaster and unable to house animals.
• Have a plan in place for when you are out of town or cannot get home to your pet when a disaster strikes. Find a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member and give them a spare key. Ensure that they know your pet’s feeding and medication schedule. If using a pet sitting service, find out ahead of time if they will be able to help in the event of an emergency.
• If you stay home, do it safely. If your family and pets have not been told to evacuate yet, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide. Move dangerous items, such as tools or toxic products, out of the area. Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and ensure they are wearing identification. If you have a room you can designate as a “safe room,” put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet’s crate and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape. Listen to the radio or follow official channels online to stay up to date on evacuation orders or other announcements.
• If the electricity goes out, and you are forced to leave your home for any reason, take your pets with you.

Including Horses and Farm Animals in Disaster Plans:

• Individuals looking for assistance should contact their county for guidance, including information on emergency shelters or locations for animals. It is also advisable to call local animal control to flag the property so it is on the radar of emergency officials, and make sure all animals have access to fresh water.
• If you have a horse or large animal at a boarding facility or barn, ensure the locks to the barn doors are operational and can be easily opened in an emergency.
  • Have trailers lined up and ensure that you have enough vehicles to move the number of horses at your barn or facility.
  • In extreme danger with limited time, let your horse or large animal into a larger enclosed area that has been tamped down and is out of the line of fire. Ensure the safety of first responders by not allowing the horses to run free.
  • If you are evacuating, let your large animals out into a paddock or corral. Cut off their access to return to a barn or stall as they will naturally retreat back to where they are fed or cared for, even if the structure is on fire. Consider using non-toxic spray paint to mark your phone number on their bodies for reunification purposes.

Wildlife:

Do everything you can to allow fleeing animals to pass through your property. Wild animals have strong fight-or-flight responses and are extremely resilient. The assistance or guidance of a professional wildlife rehabilitator may be needed if the animal requires intervention. If you are not in the line of fire, you can consider providing access to fresh water.

To learn more about keeping your pet safe during a disaster, visit www.humanesociety.org/resources/pet-disaster-preparedness. Follow evacuation orders from your local emergency manager. A full list of state emergency contacts can be found at www.FEMA.gov/locations/california.

• Walking your dog daily is an excellent activity for dogs and owners, alike, because it brings mental and physical stimulation to your pet and creates an unbreakable bond between you and your furry friend. However, as summer approaches and the temperature begins to rise, owners should be aware of the risks associated with walking pets in the heat.

Dr. Lori Teller, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has some tips on identifying signs that it may be too hot to walk your pet and suggestions on ways to exercise them more safely on hot summer days.

Recognizing When It’s ‘Too Hot To Walk’

It is important to pay attention to your dog and know when it might be too hot to take them for a walk.

“When it is hot outside, many dogs can be adversely impacted and suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” Teller said. “Dogs cannot sweat, and panting is not an effective mechanism for cooling off, so dogs do not have efficient ways of handling excessive heat.”

Teller also said there is no specific temperature that is too hot for dogs.

“A good rule is to avoid the hottest times of the day in the summer and limit walks or runs to early morning or late evening times when the temperatures have dropped some,” Teller said. “It may also be a good idea to consider booties to protect your dog’s feet from the hot pavement.”

In addition to being mindful of the time of day, owners should be extra cautious with both very young and older dogs as well as those with underlying medical conditions.

“Dogs with respiratory disease, heart disease, obesity, and breeds with flat or smushed faces — such as pugs, boxers, bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and more — are more likely to be heat-intolerant, or sensitive to the warmer temperatures.”

Another consideration for owners is how adjusted your dog is to the climate.

“Dogs that have recently relocated from cooler climates are also less likely to be acclimated to warmer temperatures,” Teller said.

While prevention is the best way to keep pets safe from overheating, Teller said it is also important to know the signs that a dog is struggling with the soaring temperatures. This is especially true for owners who take summer road trips that include outdoor breaks for their pets or who experience an air conditioning outage in the summer months.

Some signs to look out for in case your pet becomes overheated include anxiousness or restlessness; excessive panting or drooling; vomiting or diarrhea; abnormal gum or tongue color; unsteadiness while walking; or collapsing.

“If your pet appears to be overheated, place some cool, wet towels around your pet and seek veterinary care immediately,” Teller said. “Time is definitely of the essence.”

•When In Doubt, Call And Talk It Out

The first step in responding to a pet emergency should start long before the emergency may arise.

Greathouse encourages owners to create an emergency plan that includes phone numbers of the closest emergency clinic(s), your pet’s veterinarian, hotlines for potential animal poison or toxin exposures, and your phone number, in case someone is pet sitting for you.

“It’s a normal response for owners to panic when there is an emergency, but having those phone numbers nearby or in your phone can provide a sense of preparedness and enable you to act quickly and calmly,” Greathouse said.

Recognizing the signs of a pet emergency and understanding the types of emergencies that require immediate veterinary care are essential for pet owners. If owners are unsure whether a pet’s condition warrants immediate care, Greathouse advises them to err on the side of caution and contact a veterinarian or nearby emergency clinic.

“It’s safer to call and talk through the situation with someone else than it is to make the decision on your own,” Greathouse said. “We might be able to give you the push to come in or reassure you that you have a little bit more time before your pet needs to visit a veterinarian.”

By being aware of the signs of emergencies and having a plan in place, you can ensure that your pet receives the timely care they need. Remember, if you have any doubts about your pet’s health, it’s always best to seek professional advice.

Pet Talk is a service of the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk.

•University of Lincoln study tactfully titled Domestic Cats Do Not Show Signs of Secure Attachment to Their Owners.

When swapping 20 felines and their human owners, researchers found the cats appeared to bond as well with strangers (shown through behaviors such as play and mirroring) than with their actual owners.

The researchers concluded: “These results are consistent with the view that adult cats are typically quite autonomous, even in their social relationships, and not necessarily dependent on others to provide a sense of security and safety.”

While this sounds complicated, this is essentially the very simple idea that a cat will like you because they’re interested in whatever scent is on your hand.

“Cat taste buds are so sensitive – they can pick up scents from our skins that could include pheromone secretions from other animals,” says Sands.

“It could also be that you’ve got salt, moisturizer or whatever you’ve just eaten on your hand. To cats, all these are interesting scents and licking allows them to check it out. That’s simply all it might be.”

• Medium-sized dogs have a higher risk of developing cancer than the very largest or smallest breeds, according to a UC Riverside study.

The study, published in the Royal Society Open Science, set out to test a model of how cancer begins. This model, called the multistage model, predicts that size is a risk factor for cancer. As it turns out, it is, but only when considering size variation within a single species.

It is common for cells to acquire errors or mutations as they divide and form copies of themselves. Bigger animals, and those that live longer, have more cells and a longer lifespan during which those cells divide. According to the multistage model, that means they have more opportunities to acquire mutations that eventually become cancer.

“Testing this in dogs is even better because you can compare a tiny chihuahua to a great Dane. That’s a 35-fold difference in size, and people can’t come close to that,” Nunney said.

Surveying their mortality rates with three different data sets, Nunney found the smallest dogs, including Pomeranians, miniature pinschers, shih tzus and chihuahuas have about a 10% chance of dying from cancer.

By comparison, many relatively large dogs, such as Burmese mountain dogs, have more than a 40% chance of death from cancer.

However, the very largest breeds, such as great Danes, have less cancer than medium-sized breeds. That is because of a well-known but as yet unexplained phenomenon: the life expectancy of dogs gets shorter with size.

“For every pound increase in typical breed size you lose about two weeks of life. A very big dog, you’re lucky if they live past nine years, whereas small dogs can go about 14,” Nunney said. Cancer is predominantly a disease of old age so by having a reduced lifespan the largest dogs have a reduced cancer risk.

• A Texas family was reunited with their dog after three years.

They put up signs and searched for Sam but had no luck. That was until they got what they said was an unbelievable phone call weeks ago.

Two women found Sam at a gas station in Arkansas and then took him to Jacksonville Animal Hospital who was able to contact the animal rescue Sam was adopted from thanks to his microchip.

“It’s such a beautiful story,” Cindy Hall said. “This story just can’t underestimate the power of a microchip. We are so grateful for everyone that was involved.”

Hall said with help Sam was able to be transported back into their arms. “When we got him it was surreal,” Cindy Hall said.

• As a pet owner, it’s natural to be concerned about your furry friend’s health and well-being, but knowing when to seek emergency veterinary care can sometimes be challenging.

To help clarify this, Dr. Lance Wheeler, a clinical assistant professor of emergency and critical care at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and Wendy Greathouse, a referral coordinator for Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, provide guidance on identifying and responding to pet emergencies.

According to Wheeler, there are two categories of emergencies.

“There are emergencies that are immediately life-threatening, like being hit by a car, and emergencies that become life-threatening after an unknown period of time, such as ingesting a toxin that doesn’t display symptoms until 48 or 72 hours later,” Wheeler said. “Beyond these two major categories, emergencies will most likely fall under intoxications, trauma, or an underlying condition that will require medical exams to determine what is wrong.”

Life-threatening emergencies require immediate veterinary attention, and getting your pet to the vet as soon as possible can make a significant difference in their chances of survival.

While not every health concern is an emergency, there are urgent medical concerns that can significantly impact a pet’s health. These issues are not usually life-threatening, but prompt veterinary attention also can lead to an improved outcome.

“This could include a fracture or broken bone, which is not usually life-threatening, but if we can get them to a surgeon sooner, the bone might heal better,” Wheeler said. “Other signs of an urgent issue that’s not necessarily life-threatening at the moment include blood in a pet’s urine, vomit, or stool.”

Intoxications occur when pets ingest harmful substances, causing a wide range of symptoms. According to Greathouse, common causes of pet intoxications include being bitten by a snake or ingesting human medications, common household cleaners, holiday foods, spoiled food, or seasonal plants such as lilies, oleanders, and poinsettias.

“Unless instructed otherwise, you should not try to induce vomiting because it can delay veterinary attention and cause injury,” Wheeler said. “Instead, drive your pet to the vet as soon as possible and call either the veterinarian’s office or a pet intoxication hotline on your way so that treatment is not delayed. The pet will have a better chance of survival in almost every scenario if we can get the toxin out of their system sooner.”

Greathouse also recommends having specific information ready when you call.

“Be prepared to provide as much information as you can pertaining to the intoxication, such as what they ingested, how much they ate, the pet’s weight, and what time the incident occurred,” Greathouse shared.

Trauma, on the other hand, can result from various incidents that may lead to burns, wounds, bleeding, or pain. If you witness your pet experiencing trauma or suspect they may have been injured, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary care.

“Something as silly as running into a tree or falling a distance as short as one foot and hitting their head could be life-threatening, which is why it is best to visit a veterinarian instead of playing a guessing game with yourself,” Wheeler said. “Just because your pet seems to be looking at you fine and acting normal doesn’t mean they are.”

In some cases, pets can exhibit signs of illness or distress — including an inability to stand or walk, heavy breathing, seizures, vomiting, or abnormal behavior — without a clear cause.

• Dr. Kathleen Aicher, an assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains why parvovirus is so contagious between dogs, emphasizing the vulnerability of puppies and how crucial vaccinations and treatment are in preventing the infection from spreading.

“Parvovirus is very easily transmitted between dogs because it takes very little exposure to cause infection, and dogs who are infected can shed the virus for a few days before they exhibit symptoms, unknowingly exposing other dogs to the virus,” Aicher said. “The virus is also very resistant to extreme temperatures and cleaning, so it can remain in the environment for a long time, putting dogs at further risk.”