2.) When cleaning your house, never allow your pet access to the area where cleaning agents are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties. Some may only cause a mild stomach upset, while others could cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and stomach.

3.) When using rat or mouse baits, ant or roach traps, or snail and slug baits, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your animals. Most baits contain sweet smelling, inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter and sugars, which can be very attractive to your pet.

4.) Never give your animal any medications unless under the direction of your veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately. One extra strength acetaminophen tablet (500mg) can kill a seven-pound cat.

5.) Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pets’ reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins and diet pills are common examples of human medications that could be potentially lethal, even in small dosages. One regular strength ibuprofen (200mg) can cause stomach ulcers in a ten-pound dog.

6.) Never leave chocolates unattended. Approximately one-half ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound of body weight can cause problems. Even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems.

7.) Many common household items have been shown to be lethal in certain species. Miscellaneous items that are highly toxic, even in low quantities, include pennies (high concentration of zinc), mothballs (contain naphthaleneor paradichlorobenzene - one or two balls can be life threatening in most species), potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets, automatic dish detergents (contain cationic detergents which can cause corrosive lesions), batteries (contain acids or alkali which can also cause corrosive lesions), homemade play-dough (contains high quantity of salt), winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers (contain high levels of iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic drinks.

8.) All automotive products such as oil, gasoline and antifreeze, should be stored in areas away from pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be deadly in a seven-pound cat, and less than one tablespoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog.

9.) Before buying or using flea products on your pet or in your household, contact your veterinarian to discuss what types of products are recommended for your pet. Read ALL information before using a product on your animal or in your home. Always follow label instructions. When a product is labeled, “for use in dogs only,” this means that the product should NEVER be applied to cats or other pets. Also, when using a fogger or a house spray, make sure to remove all pets from the area for the time period specified on the container. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify the directions BEFORE use of the product.

10.) When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides, always keep your animals away from the area until it dries completely. Discuss usage of products with the manufacturer before using. Always store such products in an area that will ensure no possible pet exposure.

CONTACT:  Denise Derrer, Public Information Director, 317-227-0308; dderrer@boah.in.gov

Tuberculosis Case Identified on Indiana Cervid Farm

INDIANAPOLIS (15 May 2009)—The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) is investigating a case of bovine tuberculosis (commonly called “TB,” or more formally known as Mycobacterium bovis) in a farm-raised cervid herd in Southeastern Indiana. “Cervid” is a category of animals that includes elk and various species of deer.

A BOAH veterinarian found the TB infection in a red deer being processed for meat. A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) laboratory test confirmed the disease.

The animals in the cervid herd, which include elk, red deer, fallow deer and Sika deer, are part of an on-going targeted surveillance program. The farm sits in close geographic proximity to a beef cattle herd that was traced to a TB-positive cow in December 2008.

“Since December, BOAH has been working to determine if this disease is present in that region,” explains Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh. “In addition to two whole-herd tests on the initial beef farm, we have tested animals at all adjacent properties. All have yielded negative results.”

With this new finding, BOAH is collaborating with state, federal and industry partners to determine a course of action. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Indiana has held a bovine tuberculosis-free status since 1984 with the USDA. Under federal guidelines, a TB-positive cervid does not affect the status for cattle producers. Before the December 2008 case, the last time a Hoosier herd tested positive for the disease was in the 1970s.

About Bovine TB

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease that affects primarily cattle, but can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal. TB is difficult to diagnose through clinical signs alone. In the early stages of the disease, clinical signs are not visible. Later, signs may include:  emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever and pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. Lymph node enlargement may also be present. Cattle owners who notice these signs in their livestock should contact their private veterinarian.

More information about the disease and the investigation, as it develops, will be available on the BOAH website at:  www.boah.in.gov.

Denise Derrer

Public Information Director
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
805 Beachway Drive, Ste. 50
Indianapolis, IN  46224-7785
317/227-0308
www.boah.in.gov

This is one of the most unusual cases we have had at the Airport Animal Emergency Center. “Demona” Havican is an 8 year old intact female Boxer who presented to AAEC on Friday 3/22/08 for vomiting after eating a swiffer handle. Neither the owner nor any of our staff realized what we were about to find. The owner informed us that she could see the handle in the dog’s throat. “Demona” was immediately sedated with propofol and a thorough oral exam was performed, yet no foreign body was identified. Radiographs were then obtained to locate the foreign body. To everybody’s amazement, the swiffer handle had been swallowed intact and was now residing in the esophagus from the thoracic inlet to caudally past the stomach.

Another view.

With magnification.

“Demona” was immediately taken to surgery where the end of the handle was identified stretching the stomach caudally without perforating it. With gentle pressure, the handle was pushed towards the mouth until it could be visualized in the oropharynx. At that point, the handle was grabbed by the anesthetist (Shelley Nash) and with some minor manipulations, we were able to atraumatically extract the handle through the mouth. I was actually unaware that another assistant (Amanda Norwood) was actually recording this amazing removal of the swiffer handle. Click on this video!
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This is the removed swiffer handle

The dog recovered uneventfully.

Brent Gust DVM
Aiport Animal Emergency Center
5235 W. Washington Str.
Indianapolis, IN 46241
317-248-0832

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