Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health - Foods that Fido should Avoid
"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got himself into sticky situations..."
So begins a story in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that may be toxic to dogs. It turns out that Magoo got into the pantry and snagged himself about a pound of raisins. He ate the whole thing, of course.
Health Diet
The ASPCA never mentions Magoo's fate. But they do tell us that as little as a handful of raisins can impair a dogs health and has been fatal for some. Ditto for the grape.
Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health - Foods that Fido should Avoid
Who Knew?
Growing up, I regarded our family dogs as "the first cycle of the dishwasher". They were good about waiting their turn for whatever we left on our plates, and we weren't too concerned about offering them "people food". It never crossed our minds that our dogs health could be affected by a few measly table scraps. What was safe for us, we figured, was safe for our pets.
What's more, whenever I ate grapes, I liked to give one or two to our German Shepherd "Tiffany". The grapes always popped out of her mouth when she tried to bite into them and Tiffany, ever the good sport, refused to give up until she'd squashed each one into submission. It guaranteed at least 60 seconds of harmless fun.
Tiffany was also fond of chewing gum (she chewed it -- wrapper and all -- but didn't swallow it!) We had the sugarless kind, which is often sweetened these days with xylitol.
Little did I know that I might have been poisoning our family pet! (More on xylitol below).
Why are grapes harmful?
As far as grapes and raisins go, no one is sure why they're harmful. It's been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs. But not to every dog, and not every time. It's also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect.
What we do know is that the end result in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately can't produce urine, which means they can't filter toxins out of their systems -- a process essential to life.
During the twelve-month period in which the effects of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving one or more dogs. Over a third of the dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases where a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the facts, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in any amount.
An ounce of prevention
So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins. What's a pet owner to do?
The first line of defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting is also the first sign that your dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has already occurred. (In a pinch you can make your own activated charcoal by charring a piece of toast until it's blackened and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away.
Can't reach the vet? Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435
The vet will keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your dog is in the clear.
Keeping a watchful eye out, of course, is the best way to keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a knack for getting into mischief when we're not looking.
It's Not Just the Grapes...
There are other foods your dog should be kept away from, and some of them may surprise you.
Here are some other foods that can put a dogs health in harms way:
Chocolate
Who can resist chocolate? Like it your not, your dog.
Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Different types of chocolate have varying effects on dogs health. Dark chocolate has the largest theobromine, coming in at a whopping 450mg (compared to 1mg for white chocolate). So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself!
Cocoa Mulch
Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the "foods" category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer. However, some dogs like to eat it and it contains Theobromine.
Fatty foods
Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can can overtax the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This can threaten your dogs health and is potentially fatal.
Nuts
Macadamia nuts should be avoided. In fact most nuts are not good for a dogs health since their high phosporus content is said to lead to bladder stones.
Mulch
Mulch isn't food, but there's one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.
Onions
Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. 's book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too.
Potatoes
Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.
Artificial Sweeteners
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "...therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."
Turkey
Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to it's high fat content.
Other foods listed by the ASPCA as harmful:
Alcoholic beverages
Avocado (the only "fatty" member of the vegetable family)
Coffee (all forms of coffee)
Moldy or spoiled foods
Salt
Yeast dough
Garlic
The Bottom Line
Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days. But it's important to keep up with what's currently known about foods and their effects on dogs health. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were only discovered very recently to have harmful effects.
Check frequently with sources like the ASPCA, or sign up for the "Cold Noses News" and we'll keep you informed. (You'll also get a bunch of cool dog stuff along with your free registration).
Of course, being alert and getting your pet to the vet promptly will help assure a happy outcome if something unfortunate should happen.
Here's to your dogs health and good nutrition!
© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover and family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of DevotedToDogs.org where she offers a wide range of information on dog training, dogs health, and other topics near and dear to dog owners everywhere.
You can reach Carolyn by email at carolyn@netbrainer.com.
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Saturday, April 28, 2012
History of Gas Prices
How do finance professionals in the gas market analyze the financial futures related to gas? Given the constantly fluctuating market prices, calculating the financial future may not possible without a solid set of 'instruments'.
The history of gas prices is a powerful indicator of future trends. Gas market professionals use price history to gain invaluable insight into the gas markets, regardless of whether they buy or sell physical gas or deal with gas financial futures. Professionals undertake a comparison of the current and historical situations, along with the factors that give rise to these, and determine the particular direction of gas price movements.
Prices
In the commodities futures markets, one can also witness the presence of a wide variety of gas derivative instruments that help to enhance financial performance in physical markets. These instruments are used by professionals to derive information that enables producers and consumers to seek precautionary measures against sudden price fluctuations, apart from serving as powerful vehicles of speculative investment.
History of Gas Prices
Price histories help gas professionals to get the big picture. The analyses undertaken by gas market professionals are powered by data on the real-time gas price, the price history, the trading volume history and other information. Using these parameters, gas market professionals observe price trends and trading patterns, and make informed decisions. Professionals also use price histories to gauge spreads and difference between prices, on futures contracts. For example, professionals might like to use price history to be able to hedge against price risks. Today, more than half of the states in the US use financial tools like futures contracts and weather risk insurance to stabilize the prices of gas.
Price histories also help chart out particular trends in gas prices, and they are correlated and compared to gas instruments in the energy or other financial markets. Gas price history has emerged as a widely accepted analytical tool to understand market fluctuations in gas. Combined with an analysis of seasonality, gas price histories can provide a powerful look into the future.
History of Gas Prices
Gas Prices provides detailed information on Gas Prices, Natural Gas Prices, Propane Gas Prices, History of Gas Prices and more. Gas Prices is affiliated with Gas Prices [http://www.Gas-zone.com].
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Garage Door Prices - Know the General Price Ranges Before You Start Shopping
Garage door prices do vary based on various factors. For example, installing the door yourself may reduce your costs sometimes by half. At the same time, the prices will be much higher if you require high wind rated garage doors, or if your door is of an irregular size. Garage door prices will also largely vary based on the material of the doors. Garage door prices may vary anywhere from 0-00.
Here are some average typical garage door prices:
Prices
0-0 (not installed) - a new average-sized 16'x7' garage door. This price range does not include installation. The price will depend on the type of door chosen. This price may sometimes even get you a door with foam insulation and steel clad. The door will come with instructions. You will need the usual tools for installation. Installation of the door can be done with 2-3 mechanically-inclined people.
Garage Door Prices - Know the General Price Ranges Before You Start Shopping
0-0 (installed) - a new 16'x7' tilt-up or rolling up wood or aluminum door with outside plywood. Aluminum single tilt doors are very lightweight, and they do not rust. However, they dent easily. These types of garage door prices include professional installation.
0-0 (installed) - purchasing a new16'x7', non-insulated single door of a cheaper brand. The price also includes professional installation.
0-,200 (installed) - a new 16'x7' steel door, and having it professionally installed. The less expensive models are usually single skin thinner metal doors; more expensive models are double-skin thicker metal doors with foam insulation between two panels. More expensive doors are usually 2 inches thick, filled with insulation, with thicker steel panels, weather-stripping and weather seals. Steel doors do not rust and do not need repainting as often as wood doors, but they will dent and repairing may be difficult.
0-,000 (installed) - this price range will get you a new 16'x7' sectional roll-up insulated door, designed to be painted, plus professional installation.
,200-,000 (installed) - you will be able to purchase a new 16'x7' higher-grade roll-up with stained wood door panels. These garage door prices depend on the type of wood and any decorative additions to the panels, includes professional installation.
,200 (installed) - you can get a larger 16'x8' good quality steel door that is constructed of two steel panels that sandwich 2 inches of polyurethane foam with a pre-painted low maintenance exterior. The price includes installation fees.
,300 (installed) - most wind rated doors are around this price. you'll be able to get a new 16'x7' high wind rated door, and it includes installation.
,500-,000 (installed) - for the meticulous homeowner, you can get a a new custom-built wood door in this price range. Wood is popular because of its natural look and style. However, wood doors require regular maintenance, since it may start cracking and warping with age. These high garage door prices may also be caused by the irregular size of the door, such as a high end oversize 18'x8' door with a motor. Price includes professional installation.
Garage door prices vary on multiple factors. The price range is very wide (0-,000), so it is a good idea to do some shopping in order to find the best prices.
Garage Door Prices - Know the General Price Ranges Before You Start Shopping
Former construction worker Adam Stranton has thoroughly researched garage door prices and about how to repair garage doors
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NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Who's Right?
The Internet has been touted as the greatest resource for the used car buyer. Prospective buyers can find trade-in, private party, and retail values in a heartbeat. The question to consider, however, is what Internet source is right? The three major sites: NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book are clamoring to be the Trusted Authority on used car values. Yet price discrepancies are frequently in the 00's from site to site. Which web site, if any, is the most accurate source for the used car buyer?
To illustrate the discrepancies, here's an everyday example: NADA may retail a 2003 SAAB 9-5 Linear at ,996, Kelly Blue Book prices it at ,456, and Edmunds prices it at ,800. These are all retail values, assuming excellent or clean condition. ,456 minus ,800 is a ,656 difference. That's a huge price difference in the highly competitive used car market. This is not an argument to protect used car dealers. Rather, this is a warning for the used car buyer when he or she is surfing the web for used car prices.
Prices
The retail values placed on many vehicles by these web sites can have even larger price differences - some as high as 00 to 00 dollars. These gigantic price fluctuations can leave a used car buyer spending 00's extra, depending on which guide he or she used. Moreover, private party and trade-in sale prices do not accurately account for vehicle condition.
NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Who's Right?
Vehicle condition is a critical variable. An owner might think his trade-in is in stunning condition and thus worth X, based on his Internet research. An expert may know it needs 00's in repairs and reconditioning costs.
The answer to "whose prices are right" is that none of the big three web sites reflect used car prices accurately. Most often, the prices are too high on the retail side, questionable on the trade-in side, and confusing on the private side.
So what or who is the real authority? The answer is the Market! The market (i.e., the folks grinding it out everyday in the used car market place - sellers and buyers) reflect true market value. Web sites are guides only. Thus the used car prices from these sources need to be measured against the reality of the market.
Here's a scenario to illustrate the importance the market plays on used car values. In the Northeast, the banks rely on NADA, used car dealers prefer to use Kelly Blue Book, and used car buyers are turning more and more to Edmunds. Now the dealer of course wants to use the inflated Kelly Blue Book value. The buyer wants an unrealistic Edmunds price, and the bank wants to use an under-valued NADA price. In other words, the three primary people in the car buying process - the buyer, the seller, and the lender, are all on different pages. Each player wants the most advantageous price based on the part he or she is playing. The market is the only element that evens the playing field. The point here is to demonstrate that the market is the true source to determine a REAL and FAIR used car value.
In order to get a fair price, according to the market, a used car buyer should aim for the middle. Avoid the highest prices and be realistic and flexible about the lowest. Stay somewhere in the middle to get a fair deal.
If you want a great deal, follow the market closely. If buying from a retailer, eBay and auction prices don't count, as these are wholesale venues. Check out Cars.com, AutoTrader.com, and some of the other Used Car Sources. See what the vehicle you want (including miles, equipment and accessories) is being advertised for. Again, shoot for the middle!
Use the popular Internet resources, but don't follow these GUIDES blindly. You may actually pay significantly more than market value.
Having said all this, this doesn't mean that used car dealers are going to stop trying to low ball trade-in offers. And of course every dealer wants to sell its vehicles for a maximum. But remember, the same goes for car owners, but in reverse. They want the highest price for a trade and the lowest retail price on a vehicle.
When using Internet sources to determine a used car value, be sure to enter the correct information. This may sound elementary, but option packages, models, miles, color, equipment, engine, transmission, gear ratios...etc, can be confusing. Yet these are important variables that will affect prices dramatically. In short, the wrong information skews the numbers.
Finally, what really needs to be highlighted with NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly, as well as other Internet sources, is that they are GUIDES. They are excellent resources for vehicle information, but weak resources for prices. This is not to bad mouth any of these sites - they are great starting points. Remember, however, that these guides may or may not be in the car buyer's favor. Fair used cars prices are dictated by the market. Yes, do your research on the Net, but don't cling to it. Use the Internet only to find the used car market's middle ground.
NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Who's Right?
-Theodore P. Olson
RepairTrust
Making sense of Used Car Prices
Ted Olson is the founder of RepairTrust - a web site designed to actually help the car repair customer and the used car buyer, as well as to shamelessly promote its products...
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
Impact of Oil Prices on the Stock Market
Impact of oil prices on the stock market is inversely proportional. A shoot in oil prices leads to a nose dive in the stock market. And a decrease in oil price on an average leads to a higher stock market return. So, the effect of oil prices becomes predictable in the stock market. The effect is profound when the oil prices increase in the magnitude of 50% to 100% annually. The reasons being:
1. Any movement in the oil prices results in uncertainty in the stock market.
Prices
2. Higher the oil prices, higher the transportation, production and heating costs.
Impact of Oil Prices on the Stock Market
Say, a decrease in the oil prices by 10% in US will result in the expected return to double up on the stock market in the following month. The waves of the impact on the world market index will make its presence felt significantly. Though the stock market moves in the opposite direction with respect to oil prices, it is basically a one way traffic. The stock market returns has no impact on the crude oil prices.
The entire stock market does not get equally or at the same time affected by the fluctuation in the oil prices. It is rather subtle. The US industrial sectors that get most affected with rise in oil prices are:
1. The cyclical Services sector gets most negatively influenced. They constitute the general retailers, support services, media, entertainment, leisure, hotels and transport.
2. The sector which follows next in order is Cyclical Consumer goods. These include household goods, textiles, automobiles and parts.
3. The next negatively influenced sector is the Financials. They comprise of investment companies, banks, life, assurance, insurance, real estate, specialty and other finance.
During an oil price rise, it is advisable to hold on to energy stocks shift focus from the mass market general retailers. It is a rather straight forward approach. Rising oil prices results in the escalation in the prices of fuels and lubricants along with passenger transport mediums either by road or air. For example, it takes a cup of crude oil in the production of the plastic for a single disposable nappy.
With the gradual fading of the interest rates and the rapid diversion of the disposable incomes in catering to the ever rising household energy bills, there is actually little scope for any discretionary expense on the high street. That is the reason why mass market retailers ought to be avoided with respect to stock investments
Impact of Oil Prices on the Stock Market
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