Foranimals, LLC

05/30/2026

Tonight I ended up trying to help a friend whose puppy ate a kid's vitamin containing xylitol. Simple accident: kid dropped vitamin, puppy scarfed it down. (Note: this household is knowledgeable and is xylitol free, but a relative bought the vitamins, unaware of the risk to the dogs.)

The puppy only ate *one* vitamin. Which turned out to contain 1500 mg of xylitol.

100 mg/kg is the threshold for hypoglycemia which can be fatal. At 500 mg/kg, hepatic necrosis occurs -- destruction of liver tissue.

So just ONE chewable vitamin ended up creating a serious problem for a 30 pound pup (which is not quite 14 kg).

The emergency vet induced vomiting. Thankfully, the puppy had had a meal and so there was food in her stomach. In the vomit was the orange tablet, identifiable though dissolved.

Quick thinking on the owner's part (including grabbing the bottle of vitamins) and fortunately a nearby 24/7 emergency vet hospital meant that this pup received prompt treatment, and should make a full recovery.

Check your medications, vitamins, gum, candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, peanut butter and more for xylitol, also known as birch sugar.

This is useful information to have on hand:
https://www.calculatorsfordogs.com/health-nutrition-calculators/xylitol-toxicity-calculator

ALWAYS contact vet and ASPCA Animal Poison Control center immediately!

As for everyone (the non-vets) recommending the use of hydrogen peroxide, please update your understanding:
https://www.gsvs.org/woodbridge-nj/blog/hydrogen-peroxide-for-dogs-emergency/

Pass this along. I hope you never have to use it.

05/26/2026

Don't look now but Nandi's angel wings are showing!

04/29/2026

Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association

📣Attention advocates! 🐾
Help save unintended victims of anticoagulant rodenticides. Ask your State Rep to cosponsor amendment #322 in the budget this week!

Find your rep and write them an email (with your name and address):
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Call and leave a voicemail for double the impact! They hear those 1st!

04/27/2026

Nandi and I had a wonderful day on Sunday at the Elite-Premier trial at Camp Wonderland in Sharon MA. Great host--Abby and the BayState Sniffers, great staff and volunteers and lovely location. We finished First place overall finding 19 of the 20 hides, and a first and second place in 2 of the searches, and we also earned our Elite Premier title! Big day!

04/14/2026

We see photos like this all the time. A child hugging a dog. A ‘cute’ moment. Something worth sharing.

But what if we look closer?

The dog isn’t relaxed. The body is stiff. The ears are back. The eyes are squinted. These aren’t signs of happiness — they’re signs of discomfort.

What looks adorable to us can feel overwhelming, stressful, or even threatening to our dogs.

This is why the first pillar of Dog Aware is Body Language. It’s a foundational pillar because when we can read how a dog is feeling, we can step in, create space, listen to their whispers and prevent dog bites before they happen.

Many bites don’t come “out of nowhere” — they come after subtle signals that were missed.

Cute doesn’t always mean comfortable.

And learning to read body language keeps both kids and dogs safe.

04/08/2026

Nandi was a big hit in March at her debut as a "Literacy Dog" at the Lee Library. Many children signed up and read to her and everyone loved it. We are continuing our visits each Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 through spring and summer so if you know any children who might like this fun opportunity let them know.
You can sign up by calling the Lee Library at 413-243-0385.

04/07/2026

Finding orphaned wildlife can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to figure out whether to reunite a baby or find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

One of the most important things you can do right away is keep the animal warm.

Most baby animals—especially those with little fur or feathers—can’t regulate their body temperature. In the wild, they rely on their nest and family for heat, so being in a “warm room” alone isn’t enough.

While you’re waiting for guidance from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, here are a few safe ways to help:

Safe ways to provide warmth:
• Heating pad (best option): Set to LOW and place under half of a cloth-lined box so the baby can move away if needed
• Rice sock: Fill a sock with dry white rice, microwave ~20 seconds until warm (not hot), and place near the baby
• Hand warmer: Wrap in cloth and place near (not touching) the animal—use caution with animals that may chew
• Warm water bottle: Fill with warm (not hot) water, wrap in a towel, and place nearby (check for leaks)
• Car seat warmer (last resort): Use with a towel barrier—never leave the animal unattended in a car

Important reminders:
• Do NOT feed the animal
• Keep them in a quiet, dark box with a soft towel or blanket
• Always contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible

04/06/2026

Be like Jane!

03/07/2026

Popular GLP-1 medications are dangerous for pets.

GLP-1 medications have become increasingly common, but as more and more of these prescriptions enter households, the risk of accidental pet exposure has also grown. Find out how to protect your pet and the signs and symptoms of exposure.

02/24/2026

OOPS a typo on the flyer, Nandi will be at the Lee Library on TUESDAYS not Wednesdays.