The Daily Dish from WebVet

Protect your pet from "street shock" and possible electrocution

We've all heard the stories about a dog -- and potentially its owner -- getting severely shocked and sometimes even being fatally electrocuted when coming in contact with a manhole cover or electrical box.  Personally, these stories make me sick to my stomach and really angry at the people who are responsible for making sure these types of things don't happen. 

The unfortunate truth though is that the only one who can definitely make sure something tragic like this doesn't happen to your pet is YOU!  I know that when I walk my dog Max, I'm pretty cautious about not letting him walk over electrical boxes or pee on lamp posts.  This said, I always feel like I'm being superstitious or something, but the truth is I'm being protective of my dog.  What I didn't realize is that there are a lot more hazards out there than I thought! 

There's a great site called www.streetzaps.com, which was started by a woman named Blair Sorrel.  Clearly Blair loves animals and is providing a great service to all dog owners -- and their dogs.  According to StreetZaps there are many potential street hazards that pet owners should be aware of:

• Street & traffic lights (even if the compartment is closed and the light isn't on)
• Construction sites -- they may look like wooden boxes/blocks but there may be electrical components under them, so beware
• ATM vestibules
• Decorative lighting
• Fire hydrants (who knew?)
• Fire & police call boxes
• Manhole covers
• Muni-meters
• Phone booths
• Service boxes
• Street light boxes
• Traffic boxes

This site offers a wealth of information ranging from precautionary tactics and safety tips to incident reports and danger zones, so definitely check it out!  WebVet wants to give a big shout out to Blair for her efforts to increase awareness of shock and electrocution-related issues and her tips on how to protect you and your dog.

Walk safely!

Thanks for the information on www.streetzaps.com . This is a big issue in NYC, and likely other major markets. I'll check it out and blog about it. Thanks for supporting WebVet.

Top Five Holiday Hazards for Pets

So it's that time of the year again -- the holidays -- and along with all the fun and festivities, come some real hazards for your pets.  So pet owner's beware!  Here are a few things you need to watch out for this season to make sure both you and your pets have a happy and healthy holiday.

#1 - Chocolate

While all chocolate should be avoided, "Baker's Chocolate" is the most toxic to dogs.  The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to pets.  The toxic ingredients are Theobromine and caffeine. 

#2 --The Christmas Tree

Make sure the tree is securely anchored so your curious pets don't cause it to fall, possibly injuring them or someone else in the family.  Also, the preservatives often put in the tree water to prolong its life can cause severe gastrointestinal problems should your dog or cats choose that as their water bowl. 

#3 - Seasonal Plants

While Poinsettias typically take the rap for being poisonous, there are other toxic holiday plants that can actually be more problematic:  Christmas cactus, mistletoe, cedar, holly, balsam and pine. 

#4 - Table Scraps

Feeding Fido from the table may make him happy, but it may also make his belly upset.  Rich, fatty foods can result in life-threatening pancreatitis.  Anything salty, spicy or greasy is a no-no for our furry friends.  And don't forget that chicken and turkey bones can splinter in the the stomach so keep those out of reach as well. 

#5 - Ornaments

Tinsel can be tantalizing for curious cats so be careful they don't serve it up as a snack.  Small, low-hanging tree decorations can be ingested by both dogs and cats and cause dangerous intestinal blockage. 

There's nothing more important than the safety of your pets, so make sure your friends and family are all aware of these holiday hazards.  For more holiday hazards click here. 

Here's to a safe and happy holiday season to all!