KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE FROM RODENTICIDES As winter approaches, most of us are finding ways to keep ourselves warm during the cold season. We’re not alone. Animals do the same thing, and many rodents survive the cold by taking shelter in our homes. It creates a headache for humans — and new risks to your household pets. Many mouse and rat poisons are anticoagulant rodenticides, which kill by causing internal bleeding. Unfortunately, they have the same effect on other animals, like cats and dogs. Older rodenticides PICK YOUR POISON
INTRODUCING DR. AHLES ome Aboard
also a veterinarian, plans to retire, and they bought land in Montana. “I’ll still be practicing,” she says, “because I love what I do.”
Specifically, she says, “I love what I call the circle of life. I love it when a client brings in a new kitten, and you get to know them over their lifetime. You build this relationship with the client even more than with the pet. And you know their ups and downs, who’s fighting cancer and dealing with infertility, and they become a part of your family.” When she’s not working, Dr. Ahles remains busy. She has four young adult children: Madison, Lucas, Caleb, and Ben. Unsurprisingly, they also have multiple pets. “We’re the home of wayward children, as far as pets are concerned,” Dr. Ahles says. They currently have fish, chameleons, three cats, a Labrador named Jelly, and a puppy named Gus. Dr. Ahles is excited to be in Montana and joining the Animal Clinic of Kalispell. “I’m ready to meet new people, and I’m looking forward to doing more hiking and backpacking now that we’re in a mountain area,” she says. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her and hope you’ll join us in giving Dr. Ahles a warm welcome!
like Warfarin generally took several days to work. That increases the chances of secondary intoxication from a cat eating an already-poisoned, but alive mouse (very rare), but Warfarin did give us a little buffer. “If there was a saving grace to Warfarin, it’s that it gave us room from the time of ingestion until the time of clinical disease,” Dr. Clark says. “If the dog isn’t bleeding yet, we can start treatment today.” Rodents have developed some immunity to Warfarin, however, so it’s less-commonly used these days. “The newer rodenticides cause neurological problems, and it’s almost immediate — only a couple of hours,” Dr. Clark says. “It causes seizures and brain swelling. And once that happens, your hands are kind of tied and the prognosis is terrible.”
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Fortunately, many rat poisons on the market must come in single-use containers that are difficult for anything but a rodent to access. “Of course, my dogs can destroy anything,” Dr. Clark notes, “so there is still a danger if you have a particularly large or determined pet.” The important thing, Dr. Clark says, is to know that “not all of these products are the same, so be educated on what you’re buying and using.” If you suspect your pet has gotten into rodent poison, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately. “Sometimes the symptoms look like drug intoxications, like marijuana toxicosis,” Dr. Clark warns, “and the poison can be very fatal, very quickly.” In addition to rushing your pet to urgent veterinary care, Dr. Clark recommends bringing the product package with you. “There are hundreds of companies making these products,” he says, “and all the information we need to provide proper treatment is on the label.” Unfortunately, many animals cannot be saved, even with prompt veterinary care. So, prevention is the best medicine. Consider hiring a professional exterminator, and ask them plenty of questions about pet safety. And remember that mouse traps may be unpleasant and slower to work, but they’re also safer for the non-human members of your family.
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. Use a food processor, electric mixer, or spoon to combine all ingredients and mix until a dough is formed. Add more flour if dough is too sticky. 4. Separate dough into several large balls. 5. Add natural food coloring to dough balls and knead with your hands. 6. Flour a work surface and roll each ball flat to about 1/4- inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut into shapes. Place cookies on the baking sheet. 7. Bake for 20 minutes. 8. Allow cookies to cool, then serve to your pup!
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