Pets News

EPA Declares Spot-On Flea and Tick Products Safe, But Not Everyone's Convinced

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Mar 21st 2010 @ 3:10PM Filed Under: Pets News, Pet Health

MïK, Flickr

Troubled by a huge spike in the number of dogs and cats that reported health-related incidents after being treated with "spot-on" pesticide-based flea and tick control products, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last year that it would be "intensifying" its evaluation of such products offered by various companies. This week, the EPA announced that it had concluded its study and published its findings in a report.

The verdict? Spot-on pesticide-based flea and tick control products are safe to use, concludes the EPA, but need better labeling so that the products are not misused by consumers. The products will also be subject to further testing. (It is called "spot-on" flea and tick treatment because they are applied directly onto the pet's skin, typically between the shoulder blades once a month.)

"Immediately, EPA will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements," the agency stated on its Web site. "Next, EPA will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent adverse reactions." ABC News reports that "one warning expected to be on new labels: keep cats away from dogs that have just been recently treated with a spot-on product. There is a worry the cat might lick the dog's fur."

Those adverse reactions among dogs and cats, acknowledges the EPA in its published report, include "vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, itching, hair loss, skin ulceration, lethargy, nervousness, ataxia, terrors, seizure," and in the most severe cases, death. (In 2008, there were 44,263 such reported incidents, compared to 28,895 incidents in 2007, reports the Associated Press, including 600 deaths.) "Most incidents were classified minor," states the EPA report, "but all products had deaths and major incidents."

Dog Chews Up Police Car, Lands in Doggie Jail

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Mar 19th 2010 @ 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News

Om nom nom nom! pluto665, Flickr

A dog in Chattanooga, Tenn. who chomped on a police car like a giant chew toy, flattening two tires and ripping off the fiberglass front fender, is behind bars at a local animal shelter, reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The pit-bull mix, named Winston, is waiting to hear his fate, to be decided at a hearing on March 25.

The story, which "sounds funny if you're not in the middle of it," says one person familiar with the case, began on Sunday afternoon. Officer Clayton Holmes of the Chattanooga Police Department was sitting in his patrol car "running radar," when he felt the car shaking and got out to investigate, reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Officer Rebecca Rayval tells Paw Nation that Holmes "saw a dog chewing on one of the car's tires. The dog was apparently very aggressive."

Officer Holmes fired pepper spray at the dog, but it only moved from tearing up the tire to tearing up the front fender. "The dog had a hold of the front bumper and Officer Holmes used the Taser on him, which stopped the dog for about three seconds," Officer Rayval says. "But the dog ripped the Taser probes out of his skin and went back to chewing on the bumper."

When a second police officer arrived in his car, the dog flattened its tire too, says Officer Rayval. Winston also chewed the tires on two cars that drove by trying to get through the area, says Karen Walsh, executive director at the McKamey Animal Center, speaking to Paw Nation.

Golden Retriever Eats Three-Carat Diamond Worth $20,000

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Mar 18th 2010 @ 3:00PM Filed Under: Pets News

Talk about a diamond in the ruff!

A hungry golden retriever made headlines when he swallowed a three-carat diamond worth $20,000, reports WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.

The expensive meal was eaten at Robert Bernard Jewelry Store in Rockville, Md., where Sollie goes to work everyday with his owner, George Kaufmann, who co-owns the store with his business partner, Robert Rosin. When a visiting diamond dealer was showing the men some loose diamonds, one of the glittering gemstones dropped to the ground, according to WTTG-TV.

What occurred next was stunning. "Saw Sollie go for the diamond -- gobbled it up," Rosin told WJLA. "Tried to get it, couldn't get it -- gone!"

"Stones have dropped before and [Sollie] doesn't pay attention," Kaufmann, the dog's owner, told WTTG. But this particular diamond fell and landed right in front of his mouth.

The men quickly called the veterinarian, who had some sage advice: Let nature takes its course.

Kaufmann walked Sollie morning and night, collecting the dog's stool for inspection. On the third day, the diamond surfaced. "It was 7 a.m. and they had just come back from their morning walk," Rosin tells Paw Nation. "George was going through everything on his deck and, eureka, there it was!"

Sollie still goes to the jewelry store every day, but now Kaufmann and Rosin make sure to have lots of doggie treats on hand. "It wasn't so funny then, but I guess it's funny now," laughs Rosin.

In the News: Mike Tyson's Gone to the Birds, Ellen and Portia's Good Deeds and More

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 18th 2010 @ 12:01PM Filed Under: Pets News

portia de rossi ellen degeneres Alberto E. Rodriguez, WireImage.com

Mike Tyson is entering the realm of reality TV. This doesn't surprise us one iota. Nor does it surprise us that there has been some controversy. What does surprise us is that the show will be on Animal Planet and is based on pigeons. Yes, really.

Not every dog lays around all day, waiting for you to come home. Take Rosie the Newfie, for example. When her neighbor became seriously ill, she found a way to lend a paw and give a dying woman a reason to smile by leaping a fence to visit the sick neighbor every single day. And her owners had no idea.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are really doing their part to make tails wag across the country. Ellen has teamed up with the USPS and her dog food company, Halo, to raise awareness and feed homeless pets a million meals -- all you have to do to help is buy some stamps! Portia, on the other hand, is focusing on the feral cat population by working with Alley Cat Allies to tell people why the trap-neuter-return is the best policy.

If you're seriously hurt, you get yourself to the emergency room, right? Sure -- because you're human. Well, an injured German shepherd did just that after wandering away from home. Fortunately, the ER staff took pity on the pup and he's since been treated by the local animal shelter and returned to his owners.

The illegal trade of endangered animals is common in the Middle East, but the UN is taking measures to eliminate the practice. Delegates at a conference to discuss endangered species are looking at everything from animal abuse on a small scale to the sale of highly specialized species. It's going to be a hard (and heartbreaking) battle, but we're glad to see the UN addressing the issue.

Lend a Paw: 3 Easy Ways You Can Help Animals

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 17th 2010 @ 3:00PM Filed Under: Pets News, Pet Adoption

Cast your vote for animals just like Simon Cowell is doing. AP

We know you love animals and want to improve their lives. But we also know how busy you are. That's why Paw Nation is making it easy for you to get involved in the paws cause by sharing ways people are helping animals across the country and around the world. Use these ideas as inspiration for projects in your own community or as a way get involved directly with animal causes.

Hands-On Help: Rational Animal's Mother's Comfort Project aims to provide homemade beds to cats and dogs at Animal Care & Control of New York City shelters. The beds, along with catnip toys, are made by Rational Animal volunteers as well as partnering school clubs who meet in a sewing studio. To date, over 700 beds and 400 toys have been made and delivered. Get involved by volunteering, donating, or making a purchase -- or consider doing something similar in your hometown.

Sign the Pledge: Believe it or not, Simon Cowell has interests outside of making "American Idol" contestants cry. The show's meanest judge has lent his support to and recorded a PSA for the World Society for the Protection of Animals. The organization envisions "a world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends." You can help Cowell show governments, corporations and other decision makers that animals do matter. All it takes is a signature!

Buy the Product: Baltimore-based artist Matt Snow is selling keychain bottle openers through Ex-Boyfriend, an online boutique, and donating 100 percent of proceeds through April 17, 2010, to the Maryland SPCA. There are a few super fun options (and they're just $6.50 a piece!), but we're kind of partial to "Fuzz Aldrin."

Follow Pawnation on Twitter Follow Pawnation on Facebook

Can't Miss Galleries

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=754150&pid=754149&uts=1269035019

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs