4th of July and Pets

July 03, 2009

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

This is Mo, my dog’s, first 4th of July! I am a little worried about how he will react but I have a good filling he will be just fine.

Independence Day can be a very scary time for pets; owners often have new people over for cookouts and of course fireworks. The Humane Society of the United States says some dogs can get spooked from the loud noises and its best for everyone to just leave the furry guys at home.

Here are more tips from the Humane Society of the United States to make this a pleasant 4th of July for you and your pet:

• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays
• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area.
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly

For more tips check out the Humane Society of the United States website.

Other than loud noises you also need to watch out for curious dogs! PetPlace.com says pets may eat fireworks and it could be deadly. To find out what to do if your pet eats you favorite firework check out PetPlace.com.

Hopefully this July 4th will be a safe and happy one for you and you pet; and don’t forget to e-mail me pictures of your pooch enjoying the holiday!

Canine Influenza Virus

July 02, 2009

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

We have all heard of the H1N1 virus but what about the H3N8 virus? The H3N8 virus is not a human flu virus but a dog virus according to the Center for Disease Control.

It was not until 2004 cases of the dog flu or “canine influenza virus” was discovered. This respiratory virus was caused by the H3N8 virus; which was very common in horses.

Like the humane flu virus the canine influenza virus can spread from dog to dog and now considered a new dog-specific lineage of H3N8.

Thankfully the number of cases of the canine influenza virus is small according to the CDC. To spot the virus watch for these signs:

- cough
- runny nose
- fever

For more information on the dog flu visit the CDC website.

A few months ago my dog Mo got sick, thankfully it was not serious. I noticed he was not eating and did not want to play so after a few days of him acting this way I took him to the vet and sure enough he had a cold!

He had to take some medicine but in a few days he was back to his old self.

One thing I have always heard is that if your dog’s nose is cold and wet their healthy but that is not always the case.

Mo’s nose was just fine but watching him I knew he was not alright. According to PetPlace.com the nose is not always the best indicator of a dog’s health. They say owners need to watch their dog’s appetite, energy level, and overall comfort level to know for sure how their dog is doing.

To read more check out PetPlace.com. 

So be a good pet owner and keep a close eye on your furry little friend.

3rd Brigade Leaves For Desert Training

July 01, 2009

By WRBL Staff

Five days of flights started today, shipping the soldiers to the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin.

We were there as roughly 100soldiers stacked their bags. It looked like a sand bag wall of camouflage ruck sacks and duffel bags. The soldiers will head to the desert to endure temperatures well over 100 degrees, and weeks of training crammed into one month.

One Captain told us today, one day of training at NTC equals seven days of work in Iraq because so much training is crammed into a short amount of time. It’s exhausting but soldiers say they need it to be prepared for the upcoming deployment.

Check out our video from the bag drop……….. and listen to the soldiers explain NTC and say some last minute goodbyes to their families.

Pets and Hot Weather

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

Summer is here and I don’t think my dog, Mo, likes it! Mo is adamant about not going outside unless completely necessary and I don’t blame him with the recent triple digit temperatures we have had.

As soon as we get outside, not 5 minutes later, he is panting like we have been running laps around Lake Bottom Park! So I have to keep a water container with us at all times!

It’s quite a hassle but I would rather carry a water container then him pass out from a heat stroke. I joke but heat strokes are a possibility with pets. According to PetPlace.com these are the signs to watch out for:

•  Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction
•  Excessive panting
•  Bright red mucous membranes (gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)
•  Weakness
•  Collapse
•  Coma
•  Altered mentation
•  Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages on the gums and/or skin)

To read more check out the PetPlace.com website.

The Humane Society of the United States has a great news package about how to cool your dog down as soon as you spot those symptoms. I would advise all dog owners to give it a glace. To see it just check out the Humane Society of the United States website.