Adopt A Husky News January/February 2007

Want a fresh and fragrant home? Before setting out that delicious-smelling potpourri simmer pot, please take heed. Many liquid potpourris contain essential oils and detergents that could prove hazardous to your furry companions, based on an analysis of calls to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center.

According to the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president, the essential oils found in many of these products can cause irritation of the skin, gastrointestinal tract and mucous membranes. More significant injuries are typically a result of thermal burns or exposure to a specific type of detergent. Says Hansen, “A class of detergents known as cationics is usually responsible for severe ulceration of the membranes of the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. Where there is contact with the skin, redness, swelling and extremely painful lesions can appear.” Symptoms of these exposures include drooling, vomiting, depression, metabolic disturbances and difficulty breathing from fluid on the lungs.

Although 10 percent of the liquid potpourri poisoning cases managed by the ASPCA since 2001 have included life-threatening effects, most animals make a full recovery if treated promptly. “However, it is important to note that treatment can be very extensive and may involve a lengthy hospitalization,” says Hansen.

And feline caretakers, please take note—cats are more likely to be at risk than dogs. “This is most likely because cats have greater access to the simmer pots, which are usually kept on countertops or other high-level surfaces,” explains Hansen. Most exposures occur when cats lap up heated liquid from the simmer pot, or when liquid spills on their fur from a leaky container.

To avoid exposing your pet to the dangers of liquid potpourri, ASPCA experts offer the following tips:

- Place potpourri simmer pots and unused liquid in rooms where pets cannot gain access.

- Consider using relatively safer alternatives, such as plug-in or solid air fresheners. (Do take care to use these in out-of-reach locations as well.)

- If you suspect your pet has been exposed to liquid potpourri, please call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance.

What You Should Know About Spaying and Neutering This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association. July 2005 The pet population problem Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are needlessly destroyed. The good news is that every pet owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat surgically sterilized, you will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and you will enhance your pet's health and quality of life. Pet behavior and pet reproduction Contrary to what some people believe, getting pregnant — even once — does not improve the behavior of female dogs and cats. In fact, the mating instinct may lead to undesirable behaviors and result in undue stress on both the owner and the animal. Also, while some pet-owners may have good intentions, few are prepared for the work involved in monitoring their pet's pregnancy, caring for the newborns and locating good homes for all the offspring. What is surgical altering? During surgical altering, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs. If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The medical name for this operation is an ovariohysterectomy, although it is commonly called "spaying." If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed and the operation is called an orchiectomy, commonly referred to as castration or simply "neutering." While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Before the operation, your pet will be given a thorough physical examination to ensure that your pet is in good health. General anesthesia will be administered before the surgery making the procedure non-painful. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days afterwards until the incision begins to heal. What are the benefits of spaying and neutering? Both operations lead to improved long-term health, prevent unwanted litters, and eliminate many behavior problems associated with the mating instinct. Benefits to your female pet Female dogs experience a "heat" cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the breed. A female dog's heat cycle can last as long as 21 days, during which your dog will leave blood stains in the house and may become anxious, short-tempered and actively seek a mate. Female cats can come into heat every two weeks during breeding season until they become pregnant. During this time they may engage in behaviors such as frequent yowling and urination in unacceptable places. Both female dogs and cats benefit from spaying, which eliminates their heatcycles and generally reduces the negative behaviors that may lead to owner frustration and, ultimately, a decision to relinquish the pet to a	Scout found his forever home for the new year.
	MARK YOUR CALENDAR
	IL/WI EVENTS Jan. 20/21 The Iditarod - Experience the Adventure . . . Without the Frostbite, Lisle, IL Jan. 27 Palos Heights Winterfest and Dog Sledding Demos, Palos Heights, IL Feb. 10 Great Lakes Pet Expo, Franklin, WI Mar. 16-18 Chicagoland Family Pet Show, Schaumburg, IL MN EVENTS Jan. 6/7 Land O Lakes Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, St. Paul, MN Jan. 13 Fourth Annual Dog Sledding Festival, Forest Lake, MN Feb. 17/18 Twin Cities Pet Expo, Minneapolis, MN
	HAPPY TAILS
	Recent fosters that have found their forever homes. Camai (WA) 11/23 Smokie (OH) 11/30 Syracuse (WI) 12/2 Scout (IL) 12/7 Willo (IL) 12/7 Macallister (MN) 12/7 Agustana (WI) 12/10 Aspen (WA) 12/10 Bo (WA) 12/10 Choctaw (MO) 12/22 Lodgepole (IL) 12/28

Foster Spotlight: Riley, MN Foster Looking for a "Furever" Family
Riley wants to be everyone's friend. She loves meeting new people and animals and is always looking for someone to play with. Riley knows a lot of commands and does a very good job responding to them -- most of the time -- as befits any self-respecting Siberian Husky. She has been loving with a cat but should not be trusted with one alone. She walks well with a "gentle leader" or "promise" collar. Otherwise she is a bit rambunctious on a leash, but this is probably due to the fact that she loves being outside so much and simply wants to have fun and get out to meet everyone.
Click here to read Riley's bio. Interested in adopting a Siberian, please read our adoption process and fill out our online adoption application.

Happy Tail: Augustana, now Sierra, found her forever home We adopted Augustana, now Sierra. She is sooooo sweet. Keyser and Logan love their new sister. Already things are going well. We have had only a few accidents in the house, but basically she is house broken. All 3 dogs get along great. They are testing the waters still, but I have not seen any major problems. All and all we could not ask for things to be better. We will keep in touch. Thanks again! Sierra's Forever Family