Hungry Staffy Nearly Died After Eating Five Packets of Chewing Gum Toxic to Dogs

A naughty dog almost died after eating five packets of chewing gum and collapsing.

James Michael said he found Coco collapsed on the floor after she stole and ate 30 pieces of gum from a drawer (Photo: SWNS-London)

Coco is lucky to be alive after the Staffordshire bull terrier ate 30 pieces of sugar-free spearmint gum, which contains a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.

Five-year-old Coco swallowed the gum after finding the packets in a drawer she managed to pull out while James was out.

Owner James Michael returned home to find Coco collapsed in the kitchen and immediately called vets to help.

Luckily James was able to get Coco from his home in Vauxhall, south London, to the Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria for treatment.

Vets said Coco could have died if quick-thinking owner James hadn't acted fast (Photo: SWNS-London)

He said: “I knew something was wrong because she usually jumps up at me when I get in the front door.

“I found her lying flat on her side on the floor in the kitchen. She looked paralysed.

“I didn’t know chewing gum was poisonous for dogs until the vet at Blue Cross told me I needed to bring Coco in immediately. I was panicking and thinking she wasn’t going to pull through.”

Sugar-free gum contains a sweetener that is toxic to dogs called xylitol, which is also found in some sweets, mouthwashes, toothpastes and supplements.

Xylitol can induce the release of insulin in the body, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage.

Signs of poisoning can be rapid or delayed, and include vomiting, lethargy, convulsions and comas.

Blue Cross vet Georgie Herne said: “It’s very lucky that James got Coco to us so quickly. She had eaten quite a lot of gum and we think collapsed after going into glycaemic shock.

“With the amount of gum she had eaten she could have died but we were able to make her vomit and get most of it out of her system along with bits of foil and a bottle top! We did X-rays to ensure she had no blockages and then we put her on fluids and monitored her overnight here at the hospital.”

Sugar-free chewing gum often contains sweetener xylitol (Photo: Getty)

The vet added that pet owners should be aware of other foods that could poison their pet especially with Easter coming up and the chemical theobromine which is found in chocolate and is toxic to dogs.

Even small amounts can cause agitation, hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions and problems with the heart.

Owners who suspect their pets have eaten chocolate should seek medical attention for their pets as soon as possible.

Georgie added: “Many owners aren’t aware of the dangers of foods like chocolate and chewing gum to their pets but they are toxic and in severe cases dogs can experience fits, kidney failure or even death. Such items should be kept well out of the reach of your pet.”C

SOURCE: Mirror.co.uk

Rescued Mini Cow Is Living in Paradise with Her Best Friends – Dogs!

It was cold and rainy, when Moonpie first arrived at Rocky Ridge Refuge, a nonprofit sanctuary in northern Arkansas.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

The miniature cow had just been purchased at auction, in order to spare her any bad fate. She was very young, and "not acclimated to outside yet," the sanctuary's founder Janice Wolf explained to TODAY in an email. "So I brought her inside."

Moonpie arrived about a month and a half ago. Wolf's two dozen rescue dogs immediately took her under their collective wing.

A pair of bull terriers, Baby Cadbury and Spackle, who is deaf, are especially taken with their new friend.

They "claimed Moonpie right off and are never far from her side," Wolf said. "They won't let the others have too much time with her! The others sneak in kisses."

Moonpie with one of her dog admirers. | Rocky Ridge Refuge

Rocky Ridge Refuge has hosted plenty of long-lasting interspecies friendships in the couple of decades since its founding.

The sanctuary is home to all kinds of interspecies friendships. | Rocky Ridge Refuge

A tortoise named Crouton who adores puppies; a chicken who refuses to leave the capybaras.

Crouton the tortoise really loves puppies at the Rocky Ridge Refuge in Arkansas. | Rocky Ridge Refuge

If this sounds like a lot of animals, that's correct. Rocky Ridge is home to about 60 critters at a time — many acquired from cruel or dangerous situations, who might not have stood a chance without Wolf giving them literal sanctuary.

Two of the critters who've found friendship at Rocky Ridge Refuge. | Rocky Ridge Refuge

Right now this amazing group includes "a zebra, water buffalo, two capybaras, an emu, two African tortoises, an iguana, and pigs, horses, donkeys, among others," said Wolf. "My little refuge has always been known for the many species that live together here."

All kinds of animals form friendships at the sanctuary. | Rocky Ridge Refuge

And it's not unusual for animals to live in Wolf's house when they are small and vulnerable, either.

The water buffalo did it as a baby; same with the zebra and an antelope, among others.

So a miniature cow? "No big deal," Wolf said.

And why wouldn't a goose and pig be best friends? | Rocky Ridge Refuge

While Moonpie's relationship with the canines is also heartwarming and very cute, Wolf is pretty sure that Moonpie knows she's not a dog. "She knows she is a bovine," Wolf said.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

When she goes outside, Moonpie seems intrigued with an older calf in a pen next to the house.

Eventually, when she's big enough and the weather is right, Moonpie will join Wolf's herd of 10 mini cattle, so she'll have plenty of cow buddies, too.

"It's all just a matter of who's in your space," Wolf told The Dodo. "You love the ones you're with. I think she just knows that there's a lot of different friends in the world." | Rocky Ridge Refuge

Even then, Moonpie will still be able to pal around with her dog friends. "If she wants to," Wolf said.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Over the years, Wolf has been asked why she devoted her life to helping animals. She came up with a quote she now gives in response:

"Suffering is suffering, regardless of the type of living being experiencing it. We are all connected on this planet and any pain, neglect, cruelty, helplessness, makes the world a colder, harsher place for all, even in ways that may be yet unseen. Any act of rescue, comfort, healing, raises our collective consciousness and supports the foundation for a kinder world, a hope for all to walk their own path without fear and with the joy intended by the creator.”

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Wolf can't say what Moonpie's life would have been like, had she not been rescued from the auction — had she not made her way to Rocky Ridge — "thankfully I don't have to wonder," she said.

"The animals I take in are often from a past of abuse and neglect. Yet they take the new chance they are given and are so ready to make the most of it. They are so willing to forgive and embrace a new future with love and happiness," Wolf said. "They could teach humans a lot."

SOURCE: http://www.today.com/pets/rescued-mini-cow-living-paradise-her-best-friends-dogs-t109869

11 Ways Your Beloved Pet May Make You Sick

For many people, pets are part of the family — owners share their beds, food and even tech gadgets with their furry companions. But just like other members of your family, pets can also give you their germs.

Although it's rare for people to catch illnesses from pets, there are a number of diseases that can spread from animals to people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To protect yourself from such diseases, the CDC recommends washing your hands after contact with your pet, or with their food or stool. You should also make sure your pet has regular veterinary care, which can help them stay healthy, the CDC says.

Here are 11 diseases or pathogens you could potentially catch from your pet.

The flu

Cats can become infected with flu viruses, including bird flu viruses. Little is known about the risk of humans catching flu viruses from cats; however, in rare cases, people may catch the flu from cats.

In December 2016, a New York City animal shelter reported an outbreak of bird flu (with a strain called H7N2) among the shelter's cats. During this outbreak, one person became infected with the H7N2 flu virus after prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sick cats, the CDC said. The person had a relatively mild illness, and recovered, the agency said.

Overall, the risk of catching the flu from Fluffy appears to be low, the CDC says.

The plague

Both dogs and cats can catch the plague, the age-old disease that's caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. However, cats are more susceptible to the infection than dogs, the CDC says.

People can catch the plague if they are bitten or scratched by an infected pet. In some cases, people can get the plague by breathing in respiratory droplets from their pet that contain the bacteria, according to the agency's website.

Still, catching the plague from cats is not common. From 1977 to 1998, 23 people living in the western United States became infected with the plague after exposure to infected cats, according to a 2000 study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. That's about 8 percent of the nearly 300 plague cases that occurred in the U.S. during that time, the study said.

Pets can also spread the plague to people indirectly, because their fleas can pick up the bacteria when they feed on the animals, and spread the bacteria to people through flea bites, according to the CDC.

Salmonella

Some popular pets can spread Salmonella bacteria to people. Turtles pose a high risk of spreading Salmonella, the CDC says.

This type of bacteria occurs naturally in turtles, and people can catch the disease by handling turtles or touching the tanks or cages where pet turtles live and roam.

From 2011 to 2013, there were eight Salmonella outbreaks linked to handling tiny pet turtles (less than 4 inches long) that reached multiple states. These outbreaks sickened a total of 473 people in 41 states, the CDC said.

All turtles can carry Salmonella, but those less than 4 inches long are at especially high risk of harboring the bacteria, the CDC said. For this reason, the sale of turtles smaller than 4 inches has been banned in the United States since 1975.

Infection with Salmonella causes salmonellosis, a diarrheal illness that usually lasts about a week. But in some cases, people with salmonellosis develop a severe illness and need to be hospitalized, the CDC says.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system, and is spread through the bite of an infected animal.

Before the 1960s, most animal cases of rabies were seen in domestic animals, including pets, according to the CDC. But thanks to rabies vaccines for pets, domestic dogs have been eliminated as a reservoir for the rabies virus, the CDC says. Today, more than 90 percent of animal rabies cases are seen in wildlife.

However, the CDC still gets reports of about 80 to 100 dogs and more than 300 cats each year that are infected with rabies. The cases usually occur in pets that were bitten by a wild, rabid animal, and were not vaccinated against the disease. There are typically one to three cases of rabies in people reported in the United States each year, the CDC says.

People can prevent rabies by making sure their pets are vaccinated against the disease. Rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats and ferrets, according to the CDC.

Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that typically infect rodents, according to the CDC. Infected rodents can shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva, and tiny droplets containing virus particles can get into the air if the animals' nest is stirred up, the CDC said. Humans typically become infected when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus.

Until recently, pet rodents sold in the United States were not known to carry the Hantavirus, and the virus was seen only in wild rodents. But in January 2017, eight people in Wisconsin and Illinois became infected with Seoul virus, which belongs to the Hantavirus family, while they were working in facilities breeding pet rats. All eight recovered. Five of them had not even shown any symptoms; they simply tested positive for the infection during the investigation that the CDC began once the cases of the sick people were reported. The CDC later found five more human cases of Seoul virus tied to this outbreak, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacteriosis is a diarrheal illness caused by the bacteria Campylobacter, which typically lives in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, such as chickens, according to the World Health Organization. Humans typically become infected with Campylobacter when they eat raw or undercooked poultry.

But Campylobacter can also infect cats and dog, and these pets can, in turn, pass the bacteria to people. Owners may become infected if they have contact with the stool of an infected dog or cat, although pets carrying Campylobacter may not show signs of illness, the CDC says. People should always wash their hands with soap if they have contact with pet feces, the agency says.

Capnocytophaga

The bacteria called Capnocytophaga lives in the mouths of dogs and cats. In rare cases, people can become infected with Capnocytophaga through bites, scratches or even licks from an animal. Most people who have contact with dogs and cats won't get sick, but people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for infection, the CDC says.

People who do become infected can experience diarrhea, fever, vomiting, headache or muscle pain. In severe cases, infection can lead to sepsis and even death. About 30 percent of people infected with the bacteria die, according to the CDC.

Cat scratch disease

About 40 percent of cats carry a type of bacteria called Bartonella henselae at some point in their lives, and infection from these bacteria in people causes "cat scratch disease." People can become infected if they are scratched or bitten by a cat, or if a cat licks an open wound on a person. Symptoms of the illness include infection at the wound site, fever, headache, poor appetite, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes, according to the CDC. In rare cases, the disease may affect the brain, eyes, heart or other organs.

To prevent infection, people should wash cat bites and scratches right away with soap and running water. People with weakened immune systems should avoid adopting cats that are less than 1 year old, because young cats are more likely to carry Bartonella henselae, the CDC says.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that can cause infections of the skin, respiratory tract and urinary tract in people. Studies have found that people can share MRSA bacteria with their pets. And because pets may not show symptoms, the animals may pass the bacteria back to their owners, according to a 2015 study presented at IDWeek, a meeting of several organizations focused on infectious diseases.

There aren't any specific treatments for pets that have MRSA, but owners can frequently wash their hands, and have pets sleep in crates rather than in a bed with people, the researchers said.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium known as Leptospira, which can infect animals and people. Human cases of leptospirosis are rare in the United States. According to the CDC, only about 100 to 200 leptospirosis cases are reported each year in the United States.

Pets may become infected by drinking contaminated water, or by contact with a wild animal, such as a raccoon or squirrel, that carries Leptospira.

People can become infected with Leptospira if they have contact with the urine of an infected animal, or with an environment that's been contaminated with urine from infected animals, the CDC said. That means that people can get leptospirosis if they have direct or indirect contact with their pet's urine. As a rule, people should always wash their hands after handling their pets or anything that could have their pet's urine on it, the CDC said.


People should also get their pets vaccinated against leptospirosis, although they should be aware that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective at protecting pets against the disease, the CDC said.

Toxoplasma gondii

Cats are the main hosts for a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People can become infected with this parasite through contact with cat feces, which might happen when cleaning a cat's litter box, the CDC said. Most people infected with the parasite do not show any symptoms. But in severe cases, the parasite can cause damage to the brain, eyes and other organs, the CDC said. Severe infections are more likely in people who have weakened immune systems, such as those who are taking drugs to suppress their immune system.

Toxoplasma gondii can also pass from mother to child during pregnancy, and a small percentage of infected infants have serious eye or brain damage at birth. For this reason, the CDC recommends that pregnant women avoid changing cat litter.

Some studies have linked infection with Toxoplasma gondii to the development of schizophrenia and symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations. However, a recent study found that owning a cat in childhood does not increase the risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms later in life.

SOURCE: http://www.livescience.com/58357-pet-diseases-spread.html

This Brilliant Abstract Expressionist Is Also One You Want To Pet

Just call him Jackson Paw-lock.

SHIBA ART ONLINE
“Coral Reef”

A 4-year-old shiba inu named Hunter from Alberta, Canada has learned the fine trick of creating art.

Hunter’s human, Kenny Au, told the Huffington Post that he and his wife, Denise Lo, are always looking for new things to teach their smart pup because he’s very intelligent and loves to learn. Au said Hunter likes doing dog puzzles, had “got as far as he could go” in regards to agility courses and was aching for a new hobby. About a month ago, Lo came up with a brilliant idea.

“We had a blank space on our wall and we were looking for things to put up on it,” Au told HuffPost. “Because Hunter is such a calm, careful and responsive dog, my wife figured he’d be able to learn the brushing motions to create some kind of memento for us. We were really surprised by the results.”

XXCV

Au says that Hunter really loves to paint and will bark and stare at his owners when he wants to do a painting.

“When he first learned it, he wanted to do it all the time,” said Au. “But we make sure we switch things up often so he doesn’t overdo himself or get bored. With painting, we’ve incorporated it into his daily routine and he seems to love having a job. It makes him more calm throughout the day.”

Shortly after Hunter began to paint, Au decided to post a picture of Hunter with a paintbrush in his mouth to Reddit and got a lot of positive feedback. Hunter even became the subject of a Photoshop Battle.

As Hunter continued to create more paintings, the couple decided to start an Instagram page for him and then eventually an Etsy shop, where people can buy his masterpieces for $38.52 a pop.

SHIBA ART ONLINE
“Gold Coast”

The couple is also working with their local dog shelter, Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, and are donating paintings to them to raise money.

Au said he and Lo will continue to have Hunter create paintings as long as he’s into it. If he gets bored of it, they’ll stop. And according to Au, Hunter has no problem communicating how he’s feels.

“He thinks of us more as his companions than his masters,” Au said. “So if he thinks we are treating him unfairly, he will let us know.”

Good boy!

SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dog-paints-art-shiba-inu_us_58d53b66e4b02a2eaab32d7d

This Unlikely Pair Is Adorable, But The Story Of How They Met Is Even Sweeter!

Facebook / Gunnar Kr Sigurjónsson

When Gunnar Kr Sigurjónsson recently heard his dog, Diamond, whining, he didn't think much of it.

But when Diamond kept approaching him in his home office and then turning around as if meaning to lead him somewhere, Sigurjónsson realized that the Jack Russell terrier was trying to tell him something. That's when the Iceland resident followed Diamond out onto his balcony and found a bird lying on the ground. "I immediately thought the bird was dead, so I called Diamond inside," he said. "Then I thought I saw the bird blink an eye."

The poor thing began moving as he was scooped into a basket, so Sigurjónsson brought him inside to recover with some birdseed and water. After about an hour, the little guy was doing much better.

Facebook / Gunnar Kr Sigurjónsson

Before setting the bird free, Sigurjónsson says he "wanted to take some pictures first, so I put it in my open palm and took some snaps. Then he flew a big circle in my living room and landed back…right on top of Diamond's head!"

Diamond's new feathered friend, who Sigurjónsson named Bíbí, took off again and flew onto a shelf, where his human rescuer picked him up once more.

"That's when Diamond came nose to beak to the bird and then he started licking him," he said. "The poor bird had to flick his wings a few times to keep his balance, but could have flown away any time if he wanted to."

Bíbí ended up staying overnight and was able to fly away the next day -- but Diamond hasn't forgotten him. Sigurjónsson says that when he asked where Bíbí was after he left, Diamond "ran directly to the balcony door and jumped on the arm of the sofa to look out. He knew exactly what I was talking about."

Facebook / Gunnar Kr Sigurjónsson
(via BoredPanda and The Dodo)

I think we can all agree that calling Diamond a good boy is a huge understatement. Share this sweet story of friendship with all the animal lovers in your life!

SOURCE: http://www.viralnova.com/dog-saves-bird/

Disabled Goldfish Gets a Tiny 'Wheelchair' to Help Him Swim

This goldfish was having buoyancy problems so his person concocted a goldfish "wheelchair."

The little fish couldn't swim upright due to a bladder problem. He spent most of his time stuck upside down on, or near, the bottom of the tank.

This made it hard to eat and the fish's side was getting rubbed raw. Derek Burnett thought that most fish in this situation would give up. Most people would give up on a fish in this situation.

This one, though, "was so tough," Burnett told TODAY. "He was trying so hard to live."

So the 36-year-old manager at Aquarium Designs in San Antonio, Texas — who also studied marine biology — fashioned a buoyancy device made out of aquarium-safe materials.

"I just knew I had to try something," Burnett says. "Next thing you know, I had the goldfish wheelchair."

This Ranchu goldfish, who is a couple of years old, was brought to Aquarium Designs a few weeks ago with some others being given up by their previous owner who was unable to care for them any longer.

The other fish, who swim normally, quickly found new families. This one remained.

"No one wanted to take him in," said Burnett.

Burnett was impressed with the fish's friendly, people-loving personality and determined spirit. He decided to take the fish home for the good life he deserved.

At first, Burnett tried feeding the fish a special diet, thinking that might help cure him. When that didn't work, he thought, 'why not try to build a little gadget'?

After a couple of tries, Burnett came up with the current contraption. It's made of some tubing and netting, securing to the fish's body without abrasion by using weights on the bottom and Styrofoam on top to keep him properly positioned.

He thought perhaps for the first time, the fish might swim upright.

"He was so happy," Burnett said.

His happiness soon became very public — in a wonderful way.

Taylor Nicole Dean is a San Antonio-based animal lover and video-maker, who knows Burnett through fish circles. Dean, sensing a great opportunity, posted the fish wheelchair photos to Twitter, earlier this week. Let's just say they made waves across the internet, delighting one and all.

"I have to say, I kind of anticipated this reaction," Dean told TODAY in an email. "The message that I really hope spreads from this story isn't just that fish are more complex pets than people think, but that they deserve as much care as any pet we bring into our home!"

Indeed, Leigh Clayton, director of animal health and welfare for the National Aquarium, said if at one point it might have seemed strange to build a wheelchair for a fish, "more and more we’re finding and creating innovative practices and devices like this to help animals."

"We treat fish, like all animal species, for a variety of medical needs and feel these innovations can help improve the health and welfare for all," she said.

What do you call a fish in a wheelchair? That question hasn't been fully answered yet. Burnett is currently picking a name (the top options so far are David Buoy and Lieutenant Dan).

Taylor Nicole Dean
Now the goldfish's owner is looking for help naming his pet.

You can send your own suggestions on Twitter, where Burnett is also posting more pictures and videos of his inspiring fish.

The fish is in his wheelchair nearly all the time now. He doesn't move well without it. But he seems content and strong when he's secured in his device. He even seems to enjoy when reporters and camera crews come by to see him.

"It's been life changing for him and me both," he said. "He's a pet to me. He's a family member."

Other fish owners have started reaching out and asking for help for their disabled fish. Burnett hopes he might be able to do for them what he's been able to do for his own little guy.

"To see a fish suffer, it just hits me in the heart," he said. "There's not many things I wouldn't do for a fish."

SOURCE: http://www.today.com/pets/disabled-goldfish-gets-tiny-wheelchair-help-him-swim-t109361