McKinney Pets

Ben

Lizzie

Big, gentle, handsome Ben is a two-and-a-half-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who was abandoned. He ended up at the SPCA of Texas on Dec. 8 and dreams of someday having a nice owner to love and take care of him. Right now, however, he is happy just to be safe and warm and fed well. Please come by and see Ben and his friends and give him a scratch and a cuddle. #9242721
 
Lizzie is a peppy little Domestic Shorthair kitty. She is a brown-and-white tabby cat and has bright white legs and chest. Her owner surrendered her to the SPCA of Texas on Jan. 5 due to landlord issues. This kitty loves kids, and likes to flip her tail and rub up against legs. Lizzie is a social lady and, at six years old, she is house trained and ready to move into a new home. She has a great personality and is an overall pleasant cat. Come check her out and see what you think! #9411297

Ben and Lizzie are waiting for you at the SPCA of Texas Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney, 8411 Stacy Road/FM 720. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Regular adoption fees are $185-$285 for puppies 0-6 months, $95-$195 for adult dogs 6 months or older, $75 for senior dogs 7 years or older, $50 for VIP dogs, $95 for cats, $125 for kittens, $75 for senior cats 7 years and older and $50 for VIP cats.  Fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, initial heartworm preventative for dogs, a feline leukemia test for cats 4 months and older, a microchip, a rabies tag and a free leash or cat carrier. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org.

Dallas Pets

JoJo

Connie

JoJo is a beautiful, black-and-brown, two-year-old female Australian Kelpie/Australian Cattle Dog mix. As you probably know, Kelpies are very smart. In fact, when this picture was taken, JoJo was experimenting to see if flapping her ears would make her fly. The Cattle Dog side of her personality comes out when she shows you how much she loves you by giving biiiiggggg hugs. Even though she knows all these things, she's still just a young dog and will look to her new family to teach her everything she needs to know to be a happy new best friend. JoJo is really looking forward to finding a family that loves her and to whom she can give all her love. She would do best in a home without young kids. Her previous family surrendered her to the SPCA of Texas on Jan. 8 because they couldn't afford to keep a dog. She'd love to meet you today. #5372731

Connie is an eight-month-old grey tabby Domestic Shorthair who has two little dots for eyebrows and a pretty pink nose. She is a loveable, laid-back cat who adores people and craves attention. She was transferred to the SPCA of Texas from another shelter and is waiting for her forever home at the SPCA of Texas Dealey Animal Care Center in Dallas. Come meet Connie today! #9420059

JoJo and Connie are waiting to meet you at the SPCA of Texas Dealey Animal Care Center in Dallas at 362 S. Riverfront Blvd. (S. Industrial Blvd.) near downtown Dallas. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Regular adoption fees are $185-$285 for puppies 0-6 months, $95-$195 for adult dogs 6 months or older, $75 for senior dogs 7 years or older, $50 for VIP dogs, $95 for cats, $125 for kittens, $75 for senior cats 7 years and older and $50 for VIP cats. Fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, initial heartworm preventative for dogs, a feline leukemia test for cats 4 months and older, a microchip, a rabies tag and a free leash or cat carrier. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org.

Pet Tip: Chocolate, Poisonous to Pets
There has long been a love affair between people and chocolate, especially on Valentine’s Day. But just because it may soothe life’s little bumps or win over one’s sweetheart, that doesn’t mean that Buddy or Whiskers can eat it. Chocolate contains a xanthine compound called theobromine that is toxic to dogs and cats in sufficient quantities. Semi-sweet and baking chocolate are even more dangerous to pets than milk chocolate.

Chocolate toxicity is one of the most common “poisonings” seen in veterinarian offices and can cause excitability, irritability, increased heart rate, restlessness, increased urination, vomiting and muscular tremors or tenseness in your pet. In severe cases, seizures, cardiac arrest or even death can occur. The severity of the response depends on the size of the animal, the amount and kind of chocolate eaten and how long ago the chocolate was eaten.

Unfortunately, there is no specific antidote for this poisoning. Veterinarians will induce vomiting if the ingestion is known and has occurred within one to two hours. They will administer activated charcoal to help inhibit absorption of the toxin from the digestive tract, or use medications to control the effects of the poisoning, especially seizure control medications, oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids and medications to control the effects on the heart.

If you suspect chocolate poisoning and your dog or cat is showing signs of the problem, contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.

For more information about the SPCA of Texas, call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org.

About the author: Maura Davies is senior director of communications for the SPCA of Texas. She is based in Dallas.