Firefighters Use New Technology in Saving Pets

New Holland Volunteer Fire Department reported that fire kills 40,000 to 150,000 dogs and cats yearly. Now they are using new technology to lessen that figures and save more pets. Fire trucks are now equipped with pet oxygen mask kits. It is designed specifically for pets to supply them with the needed oxygen and air in a more efficient manner.

Gary Knoll, a firefighter said that the oxygen mask kits works for dogs, cats, and other animals.

“We take the oxygen hose, attach it, and take the face mask and place it over the pet’s mouth and administer oxygen and air to the pet. If the animal isn’t breathing, we can take the re-breather from our first responders bag and squeeze the bag to inflate the animal’s lungs.”

The oxygen mask kits have 3 sizes to accommodate pets of different sizes. The kits are designed to stabilizes the pets long enough to transport it to a veterinarian. He also said that the new equipments are important since  a lot of homes today have synthetic materials that emits toxic gases. He also said that 75% of deaths in a fire is due to smoke inhalation. Giving air and oxygen to pet patients is very critical.

Ex-renter: landlady fed pets to pigs

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Patiphon Pana who is a former tenant said that Susan Monica, 65, of Rogue River, Ore. who is also accused of killing two people in the last year and a half also killed his pets and fed them with dead sheep to her pigs. Susan Monica was arrested Friday, January 10, 2014.

Patiphon Pana, 49 is a Thai national who used to rent a room at the 20-acre ranch for three years. Patiphon told Medford Mail Tribune that before he bought a house and moved out, Susan Monica shot two of his pet dogs and pet cat and used them for feed.

Susan Monica was indicted last Tuesday on on charges of murder, abuse of the corpses and identity theft. Her victims is a 56-year-old ranch handyman who is a tenant, and one victim that is not yet identified.

Protect Your Pet From Freezing Cold

With the Polar Vortex giving us subzero temperatures and biting wind chill, our furry friends will also need protection despite having warm fur.

Here are some tips on how to protect your pets:

1. Keep your pets indoors during the freezing months specially with this kind of subzero temperatures.

2. If you don't have a choice and your pet will need to stay outside, provide your pet with a warm draft free and waterproof shelter to sleep in. Straw bales or cedar shavings are good insulation for the floor and waterproof burlap or heavy plastic for the door.

3. Check your pet’s water several times per day to make sure that it has not frozen over. Animals need more food during the winter to generate extra heat for warmth.

4. Pet owners are advised to contact a veterinarian if it appears your pet has gotten frostbite or hypothermia.

Frostbite will cause a pale, gray skin or skin that is cold and hard, as well as tissue that appears red when it thaws.

Hypothermia is described as violent shivering and slow and shallow breathing.

5. During winter antifreeze chemical spill are common from a vehicle's radiator. Pets are attracted to it, because they like the taste and smell of it but it is extremely deadly to our pets. If your pets seems drunk or is convulsing take him to the vet immediately.

6. Salt like calcium or sodium chloride are use on sidewalks and roads to melt ice and snow and keep it from refreezing however, it is harsh on our pet's paws. If you will walk your pet make sure to put boots on his paws.