Pet Health Warning

[sana]

for those of you with dogs....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4864049/

Tasty cicadas may sicken pets
Insect can cause vomiting, officials warn



Cicadas are protein-rich, but their hard outer shells can cause vomiting and constipation in dogs and cats, officials warn.


The Associated Press
Updated: 6:16 p.m. ET April 29, 2004HAGERSTOWN, Md. - When millions of cicadas emerge across the eastern United States for a rare mating season, they will appear as tasty morsels to pets who could get sick from eating the insects, officials warned.


The insects are protein-rich but their hard outer shells can cause vomiting and constipation in cats and dogs, said Randall Lockwood, vice president for the Humane Society of the United States.

“Imagine a yard full of chicken nuggets, that’s sort of what it’s going to be like” for dogs and cats, Lockwood said Tuesday.



Millions of the large, red-eyed insects will soon emerge from the ground for a once-every-17-years mating dance lasting well into June.

Experts say the insects will climb into trees and shed their shells to reveal their wings. Males will attract mates through a loud buzzing sound.

The approximately 1½-inch-long bugs “combine all the stuff that particularly dogs like to chase,” Lockwood said. “They’re kind of flying pet toys: They are loud, slow-moving, often low-flying.”

The Washington-based Humane Society advises keeping pets indoors, securing screens and holding tight to dog leashes outdoors.

© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[bad14u]

Always wondered what those things were called!!! Thanks for the info Sana!!!

[pudgy]

well fuck, like i dont have enough problems, lets put a 35 pound beagle , a 75 pound husky and an 80 pound hound dog indoors all day and go to work.

[imonboardtoo]

Thanks, Sana. It's gonna happen all around me and I don't want my dog pukin his guts out.

[sana]

Originally posted by pudgy
well fuck, like i dont have enough problems, lets put a 35 pound beagle , a 75 pound husky and an 80 pound hound dog indoors all day and go to work.

i think you should say goodbye to your sofa as you know it now soon

[pudgy]

yeah, and refrigerator, lol

[bad14u]

Originally posted by pudgy
well fuck, like i dont have enough problems, lets put a 35 pound beagle , a 75 pound husky and an 80 pound hound dog indoors all day and go to work.

Stock up on spot remover!!!

[Madeline]

We just have mosquitos in MN.

[redsquirrel]

OMG- I FU*CKIN HATE THOSE THINGS!!! THEY ARE SOOOO GROSS, AND THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!! YOU CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THEM!!! AAAAAUUGHGHH!!

[Bdubb]

Never seen them before, but I guess it's because I'm in Houston and not in the East.

[Primal Instinct]

Thanks, Sana. You are always helpful on the pet front

Now then...Cicadas are high in protein huh? I wonder how they'd taste mixed in with a bit of Hersey's Chocolate Syrup.....without their shells, of course...

[bad14u]

Originally posted by Bdubb
Never seen them before, but I guess it's because I'm in Houston and not in the East.

Hell...you people got enough to worry about with all the armadillos out there!!!

[Tinfish]

another good reason to not live on the east coast.

[meat12]

thanks sana, I 've got some crazy ass dogs looks like they gotta stay in for a while..damn bugs...gonna be fun