Diopus https://diopus.com For the Love of Animals Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:47:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://diopus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-cropped-DIOPUS-LOGO-FF-CC1-32x32.png Diopus https://diopus.com 32 32 Cat Tail Jitters https://diopus.com/cat-tail-jitters/ https://diopus.com/cat-tail-jitters/#respond Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:05:43 +0000 https://diopus.com/?p=57273 After my dad died, I found myself integrating two new cats into my household. As promised to my mom, then my dad, both on their deathbeds, that I would take care of them as they were their loving companions. So, my husband and I basically had to start from the very beginning, unsure of the road ahead. New parents, here we come. We already had two cats of our own and we were unsure at first how to integrate two new ones into our family; we went back and forth on how the cats would interact with each other and what would happen if they did not get along. Many scenarios went through our mind of ifs and whatfors. The main gist of our decision was that we did not want the resident cats to feel that they were being invaded. We knew we wanted the resident cats to be the dominant ones, after all, this was their home. Dad’s cats, we knew, were very dominate at his house. They went and did anything and everything, even so far as demanding attention with pushing head butts and jumping on everything in site. Tiggy, my dads tiger cat, was the dominate. Bullying himself into what he wanted to do at any given moment, never taking no for an answer, or respecting anyones boundaries. He had to be the center of attention. So, we went into this knowing that we needed to create a situation where he had to have restrictions, and with that habit breaking was at the top of the list. I had heard that it takes two weeks to acclimate cats into a household. I must state emphatically that this is wrong. If you are bringing in one cat, perhaps. But with two dominant cats into an already established cat household it takes a lot longer. And it depends on the cat, how they react, and how long the resident cats, on their own schedule, take to accept those cats being brought in. We had an advantage when bringing Tigger and Mishi into our home that not many people have. Mom and dads cats already knew us and had developed a sense of trust. Although the move to our home was traumatic (as they panted and were very scared), it was somewhat less traumatic than it would be for a new cat not knowing anyone. There adjustment to the new place went in hours rather than days as we stayed in the space and reassured them. Do not do this with a new cat that you do not know. Let them come out on their own. When bringing in a new cat, whether they know you or not, you will need to have a seperate space for them away from the other cats, be very patient, allowing them their own hiding spaces. It is important that there is no interaction between resident cats and new cats. In keeping with this, we created the upstairs for the new cats and the downstairs for the resident cats – closing the door to the stairs so nigh they meet. It takes a lot of work and time for integration. It is exhausting and stressful. We have been doing it for over two months and both sets of cats are still getting use to each other. Again, patience is the key. If you do not have time to do the acclimation properly and slowly, you might have major behavioral issues with resident and incoming cats. The following is the steps that we have taken to make it as stress free as we can …. Create separate space for new cats. Install a cat door on the door that separates the spaces and cover with paper or cloth. Bring new cats home We let the incoming cats acclimate to their new space for two weeks before even thinking about allowing them downstairs to meet the resident cats. Each day go up to sit in space (do normal stuff, do not approach/chase cat) …. cat will eventually come out. It takes at least two weeks for cats to get use to you — sometimes more. Depends on the cat.  Slow movements and patience is key. My husband and I sat upstairs and played scrabble or watched tv — a couple of hours at a time.  Make sure the cat door is covered and locked so they cannot go through or see each other. After cats became comfortable with us and the space, we uncovered the cat door (make sure it is locked) to allow both sets of cats see each other. You will know when it is time. Cats playing with toys upstairs, running around, curious about expanding their world, and not frightened of you going in and out is a good indicator that it is the time to allow them to see the other cats in the household. Put up a baby gate and open the cat door.  DO NOT ALLOW the cats to roam freely through the door. We taped open the cat door to allow the cats to hear, smell and see each other, but not able to push through the cat door with the baby gate.  We allowed a couple of weeks of this type of interaction. This provided a sense of interaction  without the resident cats stressing that the new cats would chase and terrorizing them. Yes, the resident cats hissed and hid. But after a while they tolerated the cats watching them and walked freely. It took a little more than two weeks before the resident cats were walking by the cat door without being alarmed or hissing. Each step is slow and methodical. Taking two weeks at a time to give all cats time to adjust to the changes. A few changes at a time, not everything up front. Once the cats were ok with the new cats being seen, we started to open the door and allowed the new cats to come into the downstairs space. Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Also, it is extremely important NOT TO ALLOW the new cats to walk freely in the space. They must be supervised at all times. Especially with dominant cats. Do not allow the new cats to dominate the space by allowing the new cats to use the kitty box downstairs or run after or up to the resident cats. You can allow them to slowly go up to the resident cats – but the new cats must back off if the resident cat hisses at them. If there is any hissing by resident cats, aim the words “be nice” or “back off” at the new cats. If the new cats do not listen, you may use a water bottle for one time only along side your word commands like “be nice” or “no no” to assert dominance over them. This way you are basically letting them know that you are in charge. You can use whatever word commands you need, but you should only spray once so they get the point, after that the word commands usually works. Keep the water bottle in your hand, hidden behind your back, just in case you need it an emergency. However, it should be used sparingly — you don’t want them afraid of anything and everything that sprays. By following them around the rooms as they investigate, you are also showing them that you are the boss! Open the door a few times a day. Usually the cat will tell you when they had enough investigating and run upstairs to decompress. But if not, usually 1/2 to an hour at a time is about right. Start twice a day. Then expand the time within the days as needed. Do not go to fast. Your resident cats and new cats will tell you when they had enough. — You have to be able to read cat! Make sure that the resident cats have full power and that they do not feel threatened. They should not be hiding, but tolerating the cats. They are not best buddies, yet. But given time, they could be. Do not allow the new cats to use the resident kitty box for at least four months. This should establish the resident cats as the dominant ones in the household and there should be no more stressful interactions. When leaving the house, I would keep new and resident cats seperate for at least 6 months. In closing, always make sure that both new and resident cats get enough love / reassurance. Sometimes we forget with resident cats that they too also need the reassurance when bringing new cats home. When you see the cat tail gitter, you know that they are happy and well acclimated.

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]]> https://diopus.com/cat-tail-jitters/feed/ 0 The World Left Behind Still Moves On https://diopus.com/the-world-left-behind-still-moves-on/ https://diopus.com/the-world-left-behind-still-moves-on/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:49:21 +0000 https://diopus.com/?p=56402 It might be a bit morbid, but yes, all things die. I am saying this because, my dad just passed. My mom 2 and 1/2 years prior. Yet, the world left behind still moves on. However hard it may be for the rest of us. Tigger and Mishi, dad and moms cats, are staring at me. What is to become of us, they silently ask. I stare into their eyes and see the hurt. Understandably so. If someone tells you that animals don’t know what is going on, then they are lying. Mom and Dad’s cats knew. Their humans were now gone. I did the best that I could in consoling them; while I too was reeling from the pain of their deaths. Each day I would go over to my childhood home, and the only home they knew, letting them know that they are not forgotten. That they are loved. So, in keeping with my promise whisphered to mom and dad, a few weeks were spent rearranging our lives. Converting our home and fixing a space to make it right. With carefull planning and kind jestures as to alleaviate stress for everyone involved. However hard it may be, we all just move on.

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]]> https://diopus.com/the-world-left-behind-still-moves-on/feed/ 0 For All That You Do! https://diopus.com/for-all-that-you-do/ https://diopus.com/for-all-that-you-do/#respond Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:38:49 +0000 https://diopus.com/?p=56307 Loving you more today than yesterday More tomorrow than today My best friend, my true love, my one and only My life, heart, soul Your love gives me unlimited power in all that I can do Makes me feel like I can fly With the strength to carry on Catching myself smiling for no reason at all Thanking you each day for the moments For each moment together is miraculous At the thought of spending the rest of my life with you I appreciate all the things that you do From fixing to cooking the most amazing meals You provide more than anyone else would bear And for that I am truly grateful Do not know how else to repay But to show you through this poem How truly indebted I am to you, for all that you do The world is a better place because of you For everything we have and will have Thank you for giving me more than I ever could have wanted Love to you, forever and always,

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]]> https://diopus.com/for-all-that-you-do/feed/ 0 Analyzing Two Sides of the Animal Assisted Therapy Coin https://diopus.com/lets-talk-animal-support-therapy-human-abuse/ https://diopus.com/lets-talk-animal-support-therapy-human-abuse/#respond Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:00:25 +0000 https://diopus.com/?p=51260 Ok, let’s delve right in. What’s up with the fanatical dependency on animals for one’s mental health? Speaking as an animal lover, and on behalf of animals, I am just a tad concerned. It appears that people are using animals as emotional scapegoats – for whatever reason, I don’t know why – but it is somewhat peculiar to me. People push their pets in baby carriages, paint their nails, and put diapers on them. There are pet spas, pet babysitters, pet psychologists, pet massage therapist’s, pet behaviorists, pet clothing stores, … the list goes on and on. Even today legislation is being submitted so that pets can be classified as dependants on our taxes.  Has the world gone mad? Well, at least I am glad of one thing, people are not eating them. While writing this article, many side trajectories became apparent. So, let’s just say, I will be saving many of them for future blogs. The main focus of this particular blog is in identifying the two sides of the animal assisted therapy coin. On the one side, animal-assisted therapy is viewed as being beneficial to mental health. On the other, it is viewed as destructive by allowing individuals to use animals as scapegoats so they can avoid dealing with every day issues. As an animal advocate and mother of four felines, I have personal familiarity of pets improving the overall quality of human life (i.e., providing some mental health benefits, assisting people who have a physical disability, enhancing the ability to live independently and to participate more fully in society), feeling it every day with ‘the loving’ that they provide. However, I was intrigued on the possibility of a flip side to something that I have experienced only in the positive. Lets just say, my eyes are now open. The overwhelming concessus in learned circles is that animal assisted therapy is a great way to ‘improve’ the quality of our mental health. And why not, animals have been with us since we walked out of the bush on our own two feet; milling around for security, hunting, and companionship — forming deep relationships throughout the eons. Well, let’s face it, animals were always there — in our hearth’s and around them. With many different types of animals out there an equitable sense of co-dependency has been developed with a number of them, whether we wanted it or not. Or aware of it or not. However, in the last 100 years, there seems to slow shift in how humans view animals; moving from a pure symbiotic/partnership function to that of an ’emotional support’ function. This shift ballooned in the 21st century where animals were elevated to having ‘human’ traits, rather than unique attributes; opposite from the earlier humans reverence on taking on animal traits attitudes to balance our weakness into strength. Today, animals are no longer recognized or even revered, but have been dumbed down to that of a miniature version of our infantile self — a mini me, so to speak. In today’s world, Mental health services are rapidly increasing; parallel to this increase, mental health professionals have excessively recommended animal-assisted therapy for their clients with mental health problems. This expediency to place animals with people, seems a temporary ‘fix’ for social anxiety does not make sense to me; as I believe it is just replacing one potential vice with another. And as that classic fable by Aesop, “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,” even the endless treats may seem appealing, pleasant or beneficial, they often come with hidden costs and physical consequences, thus becoming pernicious. Thereore, as individuals struggle with the day to day living, trying to manage their mental health, it appears that many are self-medicating by keeping animals as a surrogate for human relations. And, as I believe that having animals is beneficial, humans can so easily sabotage their mental health by willingly removing themselves from human/human relationships, solely relying on animal/human emotional bonding and primal individual connections; especially now, in today’s age of wanting avoidance and technological isolation. Orthodoxical Psychologists Arthur and Elaine Aron reference that humans attain positive mental maturity by utilizing a fundamental drive to grow and expand identity by acquiring new skills, knowledge, and perspectives.  They demonstrated that when humans are in close relationships with other humans, individuals tended to incorporate aspects of their relations into their own self-concept—a process called “inclusion of the other in the self”.  In other words, individuals who work with other humans were able to break new grounds in ideas, theories, perspectives and in building their own identities. It was further discussed that that it is with human/human social relationships that human entire well-being increases, and loneliness and mortality risks decreases (Animal (Based).2024 Jan 29:14(3):441). Now I am not against, individuals having animals for mental health. One the one hand, it is important, as having a pet fulfills a number of benefificial mental health functions; if the animal is treated as an animal and not a human, and the individuals knows that they need to rely on other individuals along side their pets for mental health. On the other hand, animals as mental health pets, can also cause the reverse. It can create a sense of unfulfillment, further creating a mental health crisis, if the individual attributes more human-like qualities to their pets, thus relying on these animals for their main and only social support; destroying an individual’s social self-esteem because it relies on human to human contact, crucial to an individual’s psychological well-being. Hence the two sided coin. What are your thoughts?      

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]]> https://diopus.com/lets-talk-animal-support-therapy-human-abuse/feed/ 0 Gray Wolf https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/gray-wolf/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/gray-wolf/#respond Mon, 18 May 2026 23:35:33 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=54034 Listing Status: Endangered The grey wolf is the largest of the wild canines. is further distinguished from other Canis species by its less pointed ears and muzzle, as well as a shorter torso and a longer tail. It also possesses a muscular build with long legs and a narrow chest that’s designed for long-distance running. Grey wolves were placed under Endangered Species Act protections in 1974 and have since then rebounded in the Great Lakes. However, some federal protections were eliminated in 2011 when Congress removed protections for gray wolves and in 2020 the Trump administration stripped gray wolves of their critical ESA protections. The gray wolf’s range in New York has now been reduced to the Great Lakes area with an estimated 3,700 remaining. DEC, along with the Northeast Wolf Task Force, the state of New York must keep the wolf on the state endangered species list. Websites Gray Wolf | National Wildlife Federation Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gray Wolf | Defenders of Wildlife Gray wolf – National Geographic Gray Wolf Recovery News and Updates | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gray Wolf – WildEarth Guardians Gray wolf | Size, Habitat, Diet, Predators, & Facts | Britannica   Videos Inside the Wolf Pack (Full Episode) | America the Wild | Nat Geo Animals Saving Life on Earth: Help Save Gray Wolves – YouTube MIKE PHILLIPS on Gray Wolves and the Vitality of Death /152 – YouTube Animal Life Video: Gray Wolf Documentary (Animal Documentary Full Length) – Dailymotion Howl with Wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center in Upstate … Wolf Conservation Center – A Virtual Visit Return of the Wolf to the Northeast?; Renee Seacor; February … Science Kids – Dogs: From Gray Wolf to Man’s Best Friend          

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/gray-wolf/feed/ 0 Spot on flea/tick medication https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/spot-on-flea-tick-medication/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/spot-on-flea-tick-medication/#respond Sun, 10 May 2026 01:41:25 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53623 Fleas are a common pest for cats and dogs. If too much or the wrong flea product is applied, it can lead to flea control product toxicity. Flea product toxicity occurs when a pet ingests or absorbs a toxic amount of the active ingredient, pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and organophosphates. Products include flea topical treatments, oral medications, collars, and sprays.  Signs of toxicity appear within one to 12 hours after application and may vary depending on the type of product and the ingredients involved. Cats are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of pyrethrums and organophosphates, so extra caution is needed when using these products on felines. The most common signs of toxicity from pyrethrum-based flea products are muscle tremors and excessive salivation. Common signs of organophosphate-based flea product toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremors, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and the dose to which your pet is exposed.   If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/spot-on-flea-tick-medication/feed/ 0 Aspirin https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/aspirin/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/aspirin/#respond Wed, 06 May 2026 20:17:29 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53406 Although Aspirin is used in veterinary practice for pain relief, accidental ingestion or exceeding recommended therapeutic dosages can cause intoxication in any animal. If you find, your pet has accidently ingested Aspirin or other drugs, please see your vet immediately or call the hotline below. Never give your pet medication without first consulting your vet. Signs and symptoms of toxicity: vomiting, diarrhea, melena (dark, tarry stool), abdominal pain, pale gums, altered mental status, difficulty breathing, and dehydration. While some signs may appear within several hours of ingestion, it may take several days for other signs to appear.   If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/aspirin/feed/ 0 Amaryllis https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/amaryllis/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/amaryllis/#respond Wed, 06 May 2026 02:26:42 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53384 Scientific Name: Hippeastrum spp. (Amaryllis spp.) The amaryllis is a common flower Native to South America and Mexico. It is a decorative flower. According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the bulb has the most potent concentration of toxins compared to the flower, leaves, and stalk of the Amaryllis plant. When storing bulbs indoors, keep away from pets and children. Signs and symptoms of toxicity: salivation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/amaryllis/feed/ 0 Alcohol https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/alcohol/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/alcohol/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 21:45:18 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53361 Alcoholic products, particularly the Ethanol found in Alcohol, can be life threatening if ingested by pets. Toxicity risks include low blood sugar, decreased blood pressure, and dangerously low body temperature. Clinical signs of alcohol toxicosis generally begin within 30–60 minutes after ingestion. Alcohol (ethanol) intoxication occurs when pets take licks of mixed drinks, beer, or wine, but it also can occur when pets consume candies with liquor centers or raw bread dough made with yeast. Signs and symptoms of toxicity: Signs of toxicity may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, difficulty breathing, fatigue and tremors. Clinical signs of alcohol intoxication in dogs and cats includes rapid onset of neurological signs including lethargy and difficulty walking (ataxia) as well as gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting. If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/alcohol/feed/ 0 Albuterol https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/albuterol/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/albuterol/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 21:37:41 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53359 Brand Names: Accuneb, Proventil, Proventil HFA, Proventil Repetabs, Ventolin, Ventolin HFA, VoSpire ER, ProAir HFA Albuterol is used as a bronchodilator in veterinary practice. However, consumption can be toxic if dosed inappropriately. It is important to monitor your pet for adverse effects and/or signs of toxicity while treating them with this medication. All formulations have the risk of causing toxicosis in pets. Of particular concern are aerosolized canisters. If punctured (during chewing for example), the entire contents of the canister may be released into your pets mouth. Signs and symptoms of toxicity: increased heart rate, panting, excessive thirst, vomiting, weakness, blood-shot or glazed eyes, agitation, and shaking. Signs may be seen within minutes of exposure, or delayed by several hours if an extended release formulation was ingested.   If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/albuterol/feed/ 0 Acetaminophen https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/acetaminophen/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/acetaminophen/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 21:15:17 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53353 Acetaminophen, or better known as Tylenol, is used to treat a variety of ailments. This medication can cause toxicity to your pets as many pets are unable to metabolize acetaminophen, therefore, this medicine should  always be kept out of your animals’ reach. It is important to note that acetaminophen may be present in multi-symptom cold and allergy products. All accidental ingestions of these medications should be reported immediately. Signs and symptoms of toxicity: Clinical signs of toxicity include weakness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, blue/purple discoloration of skin or mucous membranes, jaundice, vomiting, significant decrease in body temperature, and facial or paw swelling. If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/acetaminophen/feed/ 0 Coffee https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/53346/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/53346/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 21:04:08 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53346 Even small amounts of coffee is toxic to pets, causing restlessness, rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, tremors, and other serious symptoms. Although caffeine is toxic to all pets, dogs are the most frequently intoxicated species due to their indiscriminate eating habits. Any age or breed of dog can be affected. A similar clinical course can also occur in cats if ingestion occurs. It is important to note that caffeine is often found in products containing chocolate (another common pet toxin). Signs and symptoms of toxicity: vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures. These signs usually occur within 1-2 hours of ingestion.   If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/53346/feed/ 0 Avocado https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/avocado/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/avocado/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 20:18:16 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53340 Although, technically, a small amount of avocado is not likely to seriously harm your pet, it’s not recommended as parts of the avocado—specifically, the skin, pit, and leaves—contain a toxin called persin, which if ingested in small amounts can make animals very sick. Dog owners be very aware of avocado pits as they are highly toxic and a choking hazard. Signs of illness from persin toxicity include: Vomiting Diarrhea Lethargy Changes in breathing   If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/avocado/feed/ 0 Bleach https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/bleach/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/bleach/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 01:16:52 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=53178 Ingestion of undiluted bleach causes serious injury to the mouth and esophagus of any pet, especially if it is a high concentration or has a high pH. Ingestion of bleach leads to vomiting and stomach irritation and will require veterinary treatment. If bleach gets in the eye, it can damage the cornea so immediate flushing of the eye is required. It is also important to never mix bleach with other chemicals, as mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia can produce toxic chloramine gas which is corrosive to the lungs. Diluted bleach can be safely used to clean pet toys and kennels, as long as it is diluted, thoroughly rinsed and the bleach odor has dissipated prior to letting the pet back around the items. Bleach coming in contact with skin can cause skin and fur irritation. To prevent ingestion, it is important to thoroughly rinse the paws, as pets can lick the bleach off. To keep your pet safe while cleaning, it is best to keep them out of the room and away from any cleaning supplies or trash. When using paper towels or sanitizing wipes, make sure to discard them in a covered trash can. Additionally, keep the door of the room your cleaning closed and windows open. If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources* listed: • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 • Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/bleach/feed/ 0 Northern Watersnake https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/northern-watersnake/ https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/northern-watersnake/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:18:19 +0000 https://diopus.com/?post_type=wz_knowledgebase&p=52139 The common watersnake is a species of large, nonvenomous, common snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America. The reptiles’ bodies are a varying shades of gray, tan, buff, or brown, and the juvenile snakes are often more brightly colored than the adults. Adults have dark bands and are often mistaken for copperheads or cottonmouths. However, when agitated they may flatten their bodies and bite. Fully grown water snakes are between 2 and 4.5 feet long, with most measuring about 3.5 feet (one meter) long. Northern water snakes like a wide variety of aquatic habitats. They can be seen basking on rocks and prefer slow-moving or standing water near places where they can bask in the sun, such as ponds, vernal pools (seasonal pools of water), and lakes. These snakes are not venomous. Websites National Wildlife Federation Common watersnake – Wikipedia Adirondack Serpent: The Northern Watersnake New York Natural Heritage Program Discover 3 Water Snakes Lurking in New York Waters – A-Z Animals The Most Snake Infested Lakes In New York Look Out For These New York Snakes – Scenic Hudson   Videos Everything You Need To Know! The Tale of the Northern Water Snake The Northern Water Snake Snake ID: Common or Northern Watersnake Snakes in the Catskills: A Primer Cottonmouth vs Water Snake!    

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]]> https://diopus.com/knowledgebase/northern-watersnake/feed/ 0