We really wanted to repost this article from the ASPCA since the flu is such a hot topic. Hopefully everyone will be staying well this holiday season! If you do get sick and don’t want to expose your cats- how about booking them a mini vacation at Cat’s Pajamas Luxury suites here in Lincoln? They are pampered and safe while you recover. Email us- frontdesk@catspajamaslincoln.com - for more information.

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we’re here to set the record straight
“On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members,” reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. “All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.

According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.

A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

• washing hands thoroughly,
• covering coughs and sneezes and
• avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.

If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

Good to Know!

Helping you to care for your animal companion is one of our main priorities.

• The specially trained staff at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is on call round-the-clock.
• The ASPCA Animal Behavior Center offers free expert training and behavior advice.
• Our full-service, accredited Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital employs a dedicated staff of veterinarians ready to provide high-quality medical care.
• A fleet of ASPCA mobile spay/neuter clinics serves low-income communities throughout New York City.
• We offer pet loss support services for those who are grieving.

Would you keep a cat in a fish bowl? Or a hamster in a horse stable? Would you feed rabbit chow to your dog, or try to train a snake to sit? Yes, these are silly—even dangerous—things to do. Unfortunately, people do something similar when they keep exotic animals as pets.

Honey bears, sugar gliders, corn snakes, green iguanas, black panthers, rosy boas, flying squirrels, bearded dragons, veiled chameleons, spotted pythons, leopard geckos, even poison dart frogs and pot-bellied pigs—these are just some of the exotic animals people sell as pets. It may be easy to buy an exotic animal, but it is not a good idea. It is bad for the animals, bad for us and bad for the environment. And although it may be borderline legal to sell some of these animals, in many places it is illegal to buy them…

Read more on this important topic from the ASPCA!

ASPCA Dog of the Year
You will never see Cole Massie, a 10-year-old boy from Los Angeles, CA, without Ilia, his furry sidekick. Cole has cerebral palsy, and Ilia, a five-year-old black Lab/golden retriever mix, is always by his side. Ilia is also one of thousands of service dogs who support people with special needs. In order to break away from being wheelchair-dependent, Cole underwent surgery in July 2008 so he would be able to walk without assistance. Ilia travelled over 7,000 miles on six planes to be by Cole’s side for surgery. He supported Cole through medical treatments and physical therapy, and he encouraged the boy throughout his road to recovery. These days, Cole is able to use his entire foot, and Ilia is still by his side, walking alongside him.

ASPCA Cat of the Year
Libby, a ten-year-old tabby, was a dog’s best friend. She served as a guide cat to Terry and Deb Burns’ senior yellow Lab/shar pei mix, Cashew, who was blind and deaf. Libby helped her canine companion accomplish daily tasks, steered Cashew away from bumping into obstacles and patiently guided the blind dog to her food. The two were inseparable; Libby even slept next to Cashew at night. The only time they were apart was when Terry took Cashew for a walk. Unfortunately, Cashew passed away several years ago and to this day, Libby misses her canine companion. Libby was a true friend and hero to Cashew, and their deep-rooted friendship shows that animals of different species can understand and help each other overcome hurdles.

NEW YORK, September 29, 2008 — Keeping your pets safe on Halloween doesn’t have to be tricky. The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is offering the following tips to help pet parents avoid potential hazards as they celebrate Halloween this October.

“Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, board-certified veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president, ASPCA Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Ill. “So as you start to make plans for trick-or-treating or Halloween costumes, pet parents should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

Here are just some of the ways animal lovers can keep their pets safe this Halloween:

• Skip the sweets. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. “Chocolate, especially baker’s and dark chocolate can also be potentially poisonous to animals, especially dogs,” advises Dr. Hansen. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate and even seizures.
   
• Watch out for those wrappers. Cats especially love to play with candy wrappers, but ingesting aluminum foil or cellophane can cause intestinal blockage and induce vomiting.
   
• Trick-or-treating is for kids, not pets. During trick-or-treating hours it is best to keep pets in a room away from your front door. “Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors constantly arriving at the door, and pets may escape the safety of their home. Be sure that your pet has identification tags should he or she accidentally get loose,” recommends Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center in Manhattan. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags and/or is microchipped.
   
• Careful with costumes! If you dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his movement, hearing, sight or ability to breathe or bark. Also check the costume for choking hazards. A smart alternative to dressing your pet from head-to-paw? A simple, festive Halloween bandana.
   
• Decorations can be dangerous. Re-think putting candles in Jack-O-Lanterns. Pets can easily knock over Jack-O-Lanterns and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames. Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to wires and cords from holiday decorations. If chewed, a wire can damage your pet’s mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock.

If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee applies) or www.aspca.org/apcc. For more information on having a fun, safe Halloween with your pets, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA^® Animal Poison Control Center
Established in 1978, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is the only 24-hour, 365-day facility of its kind staffed by five veterinary assistants, 10 certified veterinary technicians, nine board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists and 16 veterinarians. Located at the ASPCA’s Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill., the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners, and specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances. In 2007, the center handled over 130,000 cases. The center also provides extensive veterinary toxicology expert consulting on a wide array of subjects, including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, and regulatory reporting.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.