Happy Thanksgiving

Well it's already Thanksgiving and before I know it, it's going to be Christmas!  I found a really great article about Thanksgiving food and your pet on the ASPCA website.  I added a little commentary of my own as well (its in green).

Thanksgiving Safety Tips from the ASPCA


‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.

Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Please be aware that some pets are very sensitive to certain foods and fats, and can not have any turkey.  It could cause terrible diarrhea and upset stomach.

Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
This happened to my parents dog, and her belly started expanding right before our eyes...  It is definitely a serious thing, and needs to be seen at a vets office ASAP!

Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

Toxic Foods Commonly Found at Thanksgiving:
-Onions
-Garlic
-Grapes/Raisins
-Chocolate
-Coffee
-Macadamia Nuts

Happy Halloween

 

Well here it is Halloween's Eve, and I'm just getting to warning everyone about your pets and all that candy.  You would not believe the number of animals that get presented to animal emergency clinics for candy and chocolate ingestion during not only Halloween but all through the holidays.  The two major concerns are chocolate and xylitol-sweetener in chewing gum.  But, that being said if your teacup poodle eats a whole package of Skittles.  I would be a little concerned about intestinal upset and possible pancreatitis.  Both of which can need medical attention and in the case of pancreatitis, be deadly.

Soooo, Chocolate:    The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases.  Chocolate is, however, directly toxic because of the theobromine.  This makes baking chocolate the worst for pets, followed by semisweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavored cakes or cookies. Theobromine causes:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hyperactivity
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
• Death in severe cases

Next is Xylitol:  Xylitol is a white, crystalline sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, and foods.  Excessive Xylitol can cause profound hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver failure, bleeding, and death.


It is often difficult to determine exactly how many grams of xylitol were ingested. Although the xylitol content is more commonly listed on food products, this is not the case with many chewing gums. In general, we estimate that one or two pieces of gum could cause hypoglycemia in a 20 lb dog.

• Vomiting is often the first symptom
• Signs of hypoglycemia (lethargy, weakness) occur rapidly
• Diarrhea, collapse and seizures may be seen.
• Dogs that develop acute liver failure may not show signs of hypoglycemia immediately after ingestion of xylitol.

Happy Halloween, and be safe all you ghouls!!

Money Tips for Caring Pet Owners

Well, here is another installment, and its actually only a week following the last one!!  Go Me!!  I have time this week because I'm having all my floors redone at my house and have nothing else to do while the crew works!!!  LOL!

I saw this article from the AVMA, in my inbox and realized it's full of very useful information!  It explains so much that I try to convey to people everyday about routine-preventative wellness.  I picked out the stuff I thought was most important but also put a link for the article in full. 

Just so you know who the AVMA is:  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), established in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 82,500 veterinarians.  The AVMA acts as a collective voice for its membership and for the profession.  The mission of the Association is to improve animal and human health and advance the veterinary medical profession.

Money Tips for Caring Pet Owners
By Julie Ciaramella
Web/New Writer
AVMA Communications Division
Everyone is trying to save money these days, including pet owners.  Providing your pet with regular preventive care is the key to a healthy and long life for your pet. And an investment in preventive healthcare can reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs. How? Preventive care does just what its name suggests – it can prevent diseases that can put your pet’s life in jeopardy and be costly to treat. Regular exams also often catch budding health issues that can become bigger problems if left untreated, saving you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars as a result and possibly even saving the life of your pet.

First Things First
We recognize that cost is a major concern for pet owners.  There are several factors to consider when you choose a veterinarian.    Cost is often a factor, but it may not be the most important factor to consider. While some veterinary medical services may be offered at very low rates, remember that they also may not include comprehensive services. Make sure you compare “apples to apples.

And what about “Dr. Google?” More and more, people are resorting to the Internet to find information and guidance on health issues – for both themselves and their pets. Sorting out reliable from unreliable information online can be challenging, and the Internet is certainly not a reliable substitute for hands-on evaluation by your veterinarian or physician.  Don’t get us wrong. Not all information on the Internet is wrong or misguided. But the AVMA urges you to be very cautious when relying on online information for decisions regarding your own health or your pet’s health.


A Penny Now or a Pound Later?
All of the veterinarians interviewed for this article emphasized that annual preventive healthcare exams and regular preventive care – such as vaccinations, heartworm testing, fecal parasite exams, dental evaluation and more – save pets’ lives by ensuring they’re healthy.  Regular exams can also detect problems early, before they become more serious…and probably more expensive to treat. In a nutshell, spending the money upfront on preventive care will can save you a lot more in the long run.


Dr. Nan Boss, who owns the Best Friends Veterinary Center in Grafton, Wis., shares a story about a cat named Gabby that hadn’t been to the veterinarian in years and came into her clinic with neurological problems. Gabby was so weak she couldn’t even walk.

“She’d had a stroke because of high blood pressure caused by hyperthyroidism, which can lead to a number of other health problems including weight loss, and heart and kidney disease. If we had been checking her thyroid level regularly, we would have caught the disease earlier and had her on medication, plus we would have been monitoring her blood pressure. She would never have had the stroke,” Dr. Boss says.

Doing the Right Thing
Vaccinations, along with spaying and neutering your pets, will also cut down on medical bills and keep your pet healthy by likely reducing long-term costs. One thing to remember, however, is that pet owners shouldn’t try to vaccinate their pets at home. That job should be left to a veterinary healthcare team.

Although adverse reactions to vaccines are rare, they can occur and may lead to potentially life-threatening anaphylactic (allergic) reactions. Most reactions are mild and resolve quickly with little to no treatment, but some (such as anaphylactic reactions) require immediate emergency care, and any delay in treatment could be dangerous.

Dr. David Highsmith, of Highsmith Animal Hospital in Wilmington, N.C., said he once saw a patient, a puppy named Stella, that was vaccinated at his clinic and, in a rare reaction, collapsed approximately five minutes after receiving the vaccination.

“I am convinced that if this had happened at the owner’s home or some other place other than a veterinary office, that Stella would not have survived. While (severe) vaccine and medication reactions are rare, they can and do occur, and they can be devastating,” Dr. Highsmith says.

A Hard a Pill to Swallow?
Maybe not. One area where you may be able to save money is on your pet’s medications. Pet owners always have the option of purchasing their pet’s medications from a variety of sources, including large grocery or pharmacy chains, online pharmacies or your own veterinarian. But you should be careful when buying medications from any source other than the veterinarian you trust with your pet’s well-being. If you choose to purchase your pet’s medications from an online pet pharmacy, purchase only from reputable pharmacies with a valid license in your state. You can check license status with your state pharmacy board.

Never purchase prescription medications from a pharmacy that tells you that you don’t need a prescription. Don’t purchase medications from pharmacies outside the U.S., because they may be selling medications that are not FDA-approved, which is illegal in the U.S. and could pose a health risk for your pet. They may also be selling counterfeit medications or marketing pills that don’t contain any medication at all. For more information on safely obtaining pet medications from online pharmacies, visit the FDA’s “Buyer Beware” page.

When it comes to purchasing pet medications, it could pay to check with your veterinary clinic first. Your veterinarian might provide the medication at a cost that’s very similar to the price charged by local or online pharmacies. So don’t be afraid to ask about the cost; you might be pleasantly surprised. And keep in mind that some manufacturers will only guarantee their products if they are purchased from a veterinarian. Add in the convenience factor of taking the medications with you, eliminating additional stops or time spent getting the prescriptions filled, and you may save more than you originally thought you would.



A Simple Solution Is Sometimes Cheaper
Dr. Hill also spoke about the importance of preventing obesity in pets, saying the condition often leads to a multitude of health problems.

“We see obese pets that have broken a leg or become paralyzed from a ruptured disc just by jumping off the couch,” Dr. Hill says. “Oftentimes, just by losing weight a pet can avoid having joint replacement surgery or having to take lifelong pain medications.”

Obesity also increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and joint disease, including arthritis, so keeping your pet at a healthy weight is a great preventive measure that keeps costs down throughout your pet’s entire life.

Help!
Even though you make sure your pet receives exercise, proper nutrition, vaccinations and regular veterinary exams, it can still get sick. And in an emergency situation, it’s best to remember that cost-cutting measures could mean the difference between life and death. The best ways to save money on emergency care are to 1) provide good preventive care, so that problems are caught early, before they become more difficult and expensive to treat; 2) prevent emergencies by being cautious and minimizing your pet’s risk of injuries, poisonings or other situations that can be avoided with some forethought; and 3) recognize true emergencies and don’t delay treatment.

If you end up at a clinic or emergency facility with a sick or injured pet and you can’t afford treatment, ask the veterinarian about financial options. Dr. Boss says veterinarians are often willing to help clients find solutions.

“For most serious problems there is a spectrum of care, and we need to have a discussion with the client as to what their financial status will allow them to do and what they are comfortable with,” she says. “It’s wonderful how much specialty care we have available these days, but we also are fully aware that not everyone can afford an MRI for their dog’s injured shoulder or endoscopy to look for inflammatory bowel disease. We are all very used to coming up with a solution that works.”


“I do think it’s sensible to tell your veterinarian when you truly can’t afford something,” explains Dr. Hill. “Oftentimes they can come up with a less expensive ‘Plan B’ that may not be quite as good but is still better than taking your pet home and doing nothing.”

Bottom Line
“Even if you feed your pet the best food, provide the best preventive care and are alert to any problems early on, you still may end up with a sick or injured pet” Dr. Boss says. “But you lower the odds if you are proactive about preventive healthcare and set aside some money or invest in pet insurance. That way, should the occasion arise, you can afford the technically advanced care that is available to your pet today.”

Fleas!! Not just a summer thing anymore!

I have been seeing terrible fleas all summer long and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.  I have had several pets come in with fleas in the last week.  Many people are under the impression that fleas are only a summer parasite.  And that would be true if we actually had a fall season here in Texas...  But here it is October and the sun is shining and it's in the 80-90's!

Monthly flea prevention is a must for all pets in any month that we are consistently above 60 degrees.(Please note that I underlined and bold-ed this, because it is so darn important) 
Flea eggs incubate best in high humidity(TEXAS!) and between 65-85 degrees!!! 
The terrible thing about fleas is that they multiply like rabbits. 
A female flea can lay up to 40 eggs per day. 
The average amount of time from an egg to an adult flea is about 3 weeks, but can be much longer if the conditions aren't right for hatching.  This means the little suckers can 'hibernate' all winter and then once it warms up and the animals are going outside again, they can start hatching and multiplying like rabbits again!!

There are many safe monthly flea preventions(Advantage, Frontline, etc), but please consult your veterinarian as to what is best for you pet.  Many of the over the counter (i.e. cheaper products)  can cause severe toxicity, even death and usually don't work....



Fleas spread disease!   Many people don't know that fleas can spread disease and even cause death in animals.  These are blood-sucking parasites....  The old and the young are especially susceptible to death from blood loss with a heavy flea burden.  In addition to blood loss there are a few other things that fleas spread.  Gross........

• Tapeworms-usually not life threatening, but they are pretty nasty.  You will see them pass in the stool, they look like white rice, but they move...
• Cat Scratch Fever/Bartonellosis- Doesn't make the cat sick but an infected person can be very sick.
• Feline Infectious Anemia:  This is a blood parasite that is spread by fleas that causes destruction of a cats red blood cells.  This is life threatening if left untreated.

Identifying Fleas:
There are a few things I look for when I suspect fleas.

1.  The actual Flea

2.   Flea dirt:  Which is actually flea poop/digested blood

3.  Skin irritation, on the back where the tail meets the back and often extending around the rectal area.

-This picture is a severe case of flea allergy, it is usually not this bad.

Myths Veterinarians Hear Nearly Every Day

FYI:  If I say your dog has fleas, I in no way mean this as an insult to your cleanliness or your pets cleanliness.  I am just stating the facts.  I do not get a 'kick-back' for all the flea products I sell.  I simply want to help you and your pet.  I personally can not stand fleas, I get the 'creepy-crawlies' when I see a flea at 50 yards(just a joke they are too small to see at that distance).  I just want to help you get rid of them!!  Ok, that being said, here are those myths we hear.

• My pet cannot have fleas because he lives entirely indoors.

Fleas thrive particularly well in the well-regulated temperatures in the home.

• My pet cannot have fleas because if there were any fleas they would be biting (insert name of a person in the family reportedly sensitive to flea bites). Since this person is not being bitten, there must not be any fleas.

Despite Ctenocephalides felis’ ability to feed of a wide variety of hosts, this flea definitely does not prefer human blood and won’t eat it unless absolutely necessary. A newly emerged adult flea is hungry and may well take a blood meal from the first warm body it finds. An adult flea knocked off its normal host will also be desperate to find a new host and may feed on the nearest warm body it can find. In general, adult fleas regard human blood as a last choice and humans tend not to be bitten unless flea population numbers are high.

• We do not have fleas because we have only hard wood floors.

Fleas love to develop in the cracks between the boards of hard wood floors.

• My pet cannot have fleas because I would see them.

You cannot expect to see fleas as many animals are adept at licking them away. Sometimes all that is seen is the characteristic skin disease.

So, for all who have read this you are armed with some powerful knowledge about fleas!!  Go out and spread in the info!

State Farm names Top 10 states for dog bite claims

I just going to hit the nuts and bolts of this article I read in DVM Magazine about dog bites.  I want to throw my 2 cents worth in first.  I do feel that there are good and bad dogs, but I often find they are strongly influenced by good and bad dog owners.  In my experience its usually the humans fault they get bite, most dogs warn people several times before they bite (I have had an occasional dog that gives no warning, but its very rare).  It is just that most people don't understand those warnings.  I think everyone can be a good dog owner, they just need some guidance from their veterinarian and a recommended dog trainer.  Dog training classes are more about 'people' training than they are dog training. 

-State Farm paid more than $109 Million as a result of 3,800 dog bite claims filed in 2011.

-Insurers across the country paid nearly $479 million in total dog bite claims in 2011.

-Almost 5 million people are bitten or attacked each year.  Children and senior are the most frequent victims, with children accounting for half of those victims.

-Children between the ages of 5 to 9 are the most often bitten, and usually by a dog in their own household

-State Farm reports that a dog's tendency to bite depends on several factors, hereditary, training, socialization, and the victims behavior.  There are aggressive and non-aggressive dogs within every breed.

-Your veterinarian can help you choose a dog that is a good match for your family.

-'When Pet Meets Baby', a free down loadable book from the American Humane Association that helps with introducing your pet to the new baby.  When Pet Meets Baby

-Safety Tips:
  1.  Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog
  2.  Always be on the lookout for unleashed animals and potentially dangerous situations
  3.  Educate all children, including toddlers, to be calm and careful around all pets.
  4.  Tell children they should never approach strange dogs.
  5.  Make sure children ask an owner's permission before petting any dog.

Top 10 States for Dog Bite Claims:

More information:
State Farm Learning Center:  www.statefarm.com/dogbites
American Humane Association:  www.americanhumane.org

Suggestions on Giving Your Dog Pills

This is the age old problem, trying to get your dog to take its pills everyday.  Some dogs like mine will eat their pills in just about anything and happily ask for more.  But I often hear about dogs that have a more delicate palate or maybe that are just smarter than my dogs! They refuse their pills hid in just about everything!  So I have compiled a short list of suggestions for giving pills.

1.  Pill Pockets:  These are just about the coolest new treat out there.  I soooo wish I had thought of them first!  I would be sipping an umbrella drink on the beach right now! They are a soft-stinky treat that is shaped into a bucket that the pill fit down in.  Most dogs I know just love them!  They come in several different flavors.

2.  Peanut butter:  I have many clients swear by this.  They just put the pill in some and the dog eats it right down. My one word of caution here is to not let your dog eat it off a spoon.  If you remember on my 'They Ate What?" post there were several spoons that were swallowed. 

3.  3- Treat Trick:  I think of this like the ball under the cup trick.  Confuse the dog with several treats so they can't figure out which one has the pill.  You can use cheese (sliced or velvetta) or hot dogs (if your dog's stomach can handle them).  Have 3 pieces of treat, hiding the pill in the second piece, don't let the dog see which treat.  Give your dog the first (unloaded) treat.  Then give the second (loaded) treat and hold the third (unloaded) treat in front of the dogs face, the dog is usually so excited about the third treat the second treat goes down un-harmed by chewing. 

4.  Canned dog food:  The key here is to use the pate kind of food, not the gravy kind.  Canned food is trial and error.  You must find a food that the dog likes FIRST!  Make sure the dog will eat it and then put the pill in it.  Most pills are ruined if they remain in canned food for more than a few seconds.

5.  Open dog mouth and put pill down throat method:  This is a tried and true method, that will work if all else falls.  2 keys pieces to remember:  Don't do this if your dog will bite you AND you got to get the pill past the rise/bump in the tongue. 

***The last bit of advice I can give you is to make medication time exciting!  Act like your dog is doing the greatest thing by taking those pills.  Get excited about giving the treats and get your dog excited, you are going to have to use your high-pitched cheerleader voice here!***

HAPPY PILL-ING!!

Navy-trained Dolphins and Sea Lions

 

An NMMP sea lion attaches a recovery line
 to a piece of test equipment during training

The Navy has a Marine Mammal Program that trains and treats about 75 dolphins and 25 sea lions.  The program was started in the 1960's in California.  They have nearly 60 animal trainers and 8 veterinarians on staff to care for all these animals.



Animal Trainer Elaine Aleen and Sam Ridgway, DVM
perform a health check on Navy dolphin



These animals were first studied because of their speed in the water.  It was thought these animals could serve as a blue print for faster submarines, torpedoes and ships.  The researchers soon found that the dolphins cooperative and intelligent nature made them easily trainable for a variety of underwater tasks.  They could carry equipment or rescue lines to divers.  They helped in Vietnam by hunting for enemy swimmers who were blowing up barges and ammo ships.  Then in Operation Iraqi Freedom they were deployed to clear underwater mines.  Amazing!!!

The animals are currently trained to hunt mines in San Diego Harbor.  After just a few exercises the animals know exactly where the fake mines are.  The dolphins like to be challenged and exercise new skills, so this is just another game to them.  It takes about three years before the dolphins are ready for real-life mine hunting.   I was very surprised to learn that no dolphin has ever been lost in the line of duty!  This is due to the extenisive training and careful, particular protocols the animals follow. 



A mammal handler brushing the teeth of a Bottlenose
dolphin in the well deck aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)



Researchers are currently building underwater drones to replace the dolphins duties at sea.  No fear though, the Marine Mammal Foundation was created in 2007 to care for this animals after their military career has come to and end.  These animals are seen as veterans, some have served for over 40 years!

NMMP dolphins, such as the one pictured here
wearing a locating pinger, performed mine clearance
work in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War

 

Personnel attending four dolphins
during a flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.



!!!!WEST NILE!!!!

* Just a quick side note for everyone.  I have a search engine in my blog, this will allow you to easily search my archived blogs.  I didn't realize there were sooooo many till I went looking for an old post!!! Can't believe I've been blogging since 2010!!  Thank You to everyone who reads my crazy if not entertaining postings!!!!*

-I have been getting alot of people asking me about West Nile in their pets, due to the number of human deaths related to West Nile Virus.  Here is a great FAQ put out by the CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention).  Check out their website if you have any more questions about West Nile.  http://www.cdc.gov/

-Many people have also been worried about the aerial spray they are using for the mosquito's. The CDC and EPA report the level of insecticide in the sprays is way below what is considered toxic to mammals and fish. They do advise people to keep their pets indoors during aerial spraying. They should also wash any food bowls, water bowls, or toys that are exposed to any insecticide, before using them again.

Q. Can West Nile virus (WNV) cause illness in dogs or cats?

A. A relatively small number of WNV infected dogs and WNV infected cats have been reported to CDC . Experimentally infected dogs* showed no symptoms after infection with WNV. Some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms during the first week after infection--for the most part only showing a slight fever and slight lethargy. It is unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV.

(The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories reports, that although dogs and cats have tested positive, these animals are almost always asymptomatic. There is no evidence that West Nile virus is a significant cause of meningitis in dogs and cats.)

Q. How can my veterinarian treat my cat or dog if they are/may be infected with WNV?

A. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Full recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive (managing symptoms, if present) and consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.

Q. Is there a vaccine for cats or dogs?

A. No.

FYI: There is a vaccine for horses.

Q. Can I use insect repellent on my pets?

A. DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans, are not approved for veterinary use (largely because animals tend to ingest them by licking.) Talk with your veterinarian for advice about the appropriate product for use on your pet.

DEET can be toxic to dogs and cats, it can cause neurologic problems, like tremors and ataxia.  The only approved dog mosquito repellents are Advantix and Vetra 3D, these both contain permethrin.  Cats are very sensitive to any pyrethrin based product, their use can result in toxicity and death (There are many over the counter flea prevention products for cats that contain pyrethrin, I strongly avoid using them all!!  I have no idea how they can still be allowed on the shelf but thats a story for another day!)

 

Stuffed Animal Clinic

We had an absolute blast at the Stuffed Animal Clinic, kids, dogs and adults!!!  We did 17 Health Certificates and even more emergency wound repairs!!  We have already been asked to do this again, so I think we will mark our calendars and attempt to make this an annual event!

A little over $300 was donated for Meals on Wheels and their animal outreach program, we also had pet food donated by our generous Iams' Representative, Thank Your Stu!!  Thank you everyone who came and made this a fun and enjoyable event!! 

Here is the Meals on Wheels facebook page address, their photographer was so wonderful to come out and take some pictures of the day! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Meals-On-Wheels-Inc-of-Tarrant-County/127714468424

Making Birthday Cards for Meals On Wheels clients

Listening to Heart Bear's heart.

Very Serious Surgery

Brad and a BIG bear for adoption

A completed Health Certificate

Stuffed Animal Clinic

Is your teddy bear feeling under the weather? Does your stuffed animal have a cut that needs fixing? Does it need some extra care and attention? Arlington South Veterinary Hospital is here to help! Our veterinarians and staff are holding a Stuffed Animal Clinic on Saturday, August 11th from 2 pm to 5 pm. All proceeds go to Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, to help with their animal outreach program.

It’s a day to fix the ailments affecting your teddy bear or beloved stuffed animal. Veterinarians, staff members and volunteers will assess the overall health of your stuffed animal, as well as make a diagnosis based on your description of its symptoms. Medications or bandages will be available if needed.

You will begin your visit with a stop at the reception desk, where your animal will be checked in and given a health certificate. The receptionist will then direct you to the next available stuffed animal doctor, who will care for your animal’s well-being and sign your certificate, indicating a clean bill of health. If your animal has a tear that requires stitches, you will be asked to leave the animal with trained staff and return later to retrieve the mended patient. The entire visit only costs $3, and you will leave with a healthy stuffed animal and a certificate to prove it! Stuffed animals will be available for adoption for $1!

Please call for information or directions:

Arlington South Vet Hospital
5505 Matlock Road
Arlington, Texas 76018
817-465-1401

Most Common Canine Poisonings of 2011

The Pet Poison Hotline released their list of the top 10 most common dog emergencies in 2011.  I always find what dogs will eat so entertaining!!  Some of them aren't even tasty!?!?

1.  Foods (chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins)
2.  Insecticides (sprays, bait stations, and spot-on flea and tick treatment)
3.  Mouse and rat poison
4.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory human drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen)
5.  Household cleaners (sprays, detergents and polishes)  -Really?  This can't be good tasting or even fun to chew!!! 
6.  Human antidepressant drugs (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Effexor)
7.  Fertilizers (bone-meal, blood meal and iron based products)
8.  Acetaminophen, a human drug (Tylenol and cough and cold medicine)
9.  Amphetamine human drugs (Adderall and Concerta)
10.  Veterinary pain relievers (Rimadyl, Deramaxx and Previcox)    My own dog ate about 10x's her prescribed dose!!!  The cat fed them to her!!

All the things listed above can be very deadly if eaten in adequate amounts.  Always call your veterinarian if your pet has eaten something.  They can tell you if it is toxic and what you should do.  This may include just watching your pet or bringing it in to induce vomiting and intravenous fluids.  It is different for every case.
The other bit of advice I have is that never assume your pet can't get to a certain medication or food.  I have seen little dogs use chairs and drawers to get up onto counters.  Or in my case the cat got up on the window sill and knocked the meds down for the dog to eat....

(888) 426-4435

It's HOT Out There!!! Heat Stroke!!

This is a post from last year, but I just saw my first official heat stroke of the year and it's only June 28th! We have had maybe five, 100+ days so far. This means there are many more heat stroke dogs to come. This was a small dog that was only left outside for 1 hour, but as I explained to the owner, it doesn't take very long to get overheated when your covered in fur!! Everyone be careful out there, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet!

First of all Heat Stroke is an emergency!!! If you are googling because you think your pet has heat stroke, you need to stop and call your vet immediately!

I wanted to write about Heat Stroke now because here in Texas we are experiencing days and days of triple digit heat. It is miserable just walking from your car to inside the store. Even those pets that are used to being outside need some extra measures to make sure they're safe in this heat.

Causes:
Heat Stroke can occur at anytime the temperature rises above 105 F.
• When an animal is left outside in very hot/humid conditions (Texas in general).
This is made worse by; lack of shade, water or proper ventilation. Being very hairy, sick, overweight or having a short nose (pugs, bulldogs, shih tzu's) are things that can impair your pets ability to dissipate the heat.
• Exercising your pet in hot/humid weather.
I feel that it is only safe to exercise your pet very early (before 7am) or very late (after 8pm) here in Texas. And then I wouldn't walk more than 30-40 minutes depending on your pets fitness level.
• Leaving your animal in the car or in an un-air conditioned home, in hot/humid conditions.
I think I have said enough here...

Symptoms:
Signs can vary depending on the degree and duration of elevated temperature.
• Prolonged or excessive panting and increased temperature (over 105 F) are the most common
• Weak and Wobbly
• Collapse or Coma/non-responsive
• Red or blue(cyanotic) gums
• Vomit and/or Diarrhea. Can be bloody.
• Delayed Signs: Can occur 3-5 days after supposed recovery. There could be decreased urine production, yellow color to the gums or eyes (jaundice), or sudden death due to infection or heart malfunction.

Treatment:
• Call your vet or the closest animal emergency center!!
• Get the animal into a cooler environment. Into the shade or in the air conditioned house.
• If possible record the rectal temperature and write it down.
• Wet the pet with cool tap water. NOT ice water. The ice water actually prevents effective inner body cooling.
• Wrap the animal in a cool, wet towel and transport to your vet immediately.
• Once at your Veterinarian office, your pet with most likely be hospitalized. Blood work, intravenous fluids and appropriate medications should be started immediately. Expect a 3-5 day stay for treatment.

Prognosis:
This really depends on the severity of the heat stroke. Survival is poor for animals presented in a coma and for those with secondary organ failure.

Animals that survive heat stroke are more prone to reoccurrence in the future. Please make sure these animals keep in an air conditioned environment during the next heat wave.

Prevention:
• If you live in the south and it's 100+ degrees outside try to have those animals inside. Dogs are easily crate trained.
• If being inside just isn't something you can do, you MUST provide shade, cool/fresh water and an area with air movement.
• Some dogs love water: Get them a children’s wading pool-refill it daily.
• If you don't have shade, make some. Tarps and posts are cheap and easy to make shade out of.
• If your yard is small or if you have a wooden privacy fence the amount of air movement is almost zero. Think about investing in an industrial fan or a outdoor ceiling fan if you have a patio. Putting in grated vent areas in your fence may also help.
• Above all don't take a pet that has been inside and suddenly decide to make them an outdoor dog when it’s 100+ outside. These animals are not used to the heat and are much more susceptible to heat stroke than those that always live outside. It's like asking someone who works at a desk to suddenly change jobs and start replacing roofs for a living!

Top 10 Canine and Feline Conditions of 2011

VPI, a pet insurance company, weighed in on the top medical conditions of dogs and cats in 2011.  I agree these are some of the most common things I see as well.  Most of the conditions require long term treatment and/or reoccur on a regular basis.  Making them very common and seen by me almost daily.
VPI recieved more than 62,000 canine claims for ear infections and 3,800 claims for feline urinary tract infections!!!  WOW!  I would say if you have a dog breed prone to ear infections (bassett hounds or labs), I would go ahead and sign up for insurance!!  It would truely be a money saver in the end....  

 Dogs
1.  Ear infection
2.  Skin allergies
3.  Skin infection
4.  Noncancerous skin growth
5.  Upset stomach
6.  Diarrhea
7.  Arthritis
8.  Urinary tract infection
9.  Bruise or contusion
10.  Underactive thyroid

Cats
1.  Urinary tract infection
2.  Chronic kidney disease
3.  Overactive thyroid
4.  Upset stomach
5.  Periodontitis
6.  Diabetes
7.  Diarrhea
8.   Ear infection
9.  Skin allergies
10.  Lymphosarcoma

Pet Apps

In this world of "There's an App for that", I thought I might put in my 2 cents about the ones I found fun/useful.  Please remember that these apps in no way replace your veterinarians office.  We are always happy to talk on the phone and examine the pet if need be.

PetSnap: Pet Photo App.  It has several sounds(squeaky toy, cat meow, bells, etc) to help get your pets attention to get a great picture. 

Pet Phone:  Allows you to put your pets health needs on your phone.  It tracks vet visits, medications, weight history and general info about numerous pets.

PetBook:  Its a calendar but it also have notifications.  It can remind you to medicate your dog or that it has a grooming appointment.

 

ASPCA Petoxins:  It has a list of toxic plants, with pictures and the symptoms they cause.  You can also call Poison Control from the App and get advice(I think there is a fee for this).






Dog Tricks - Best of 101 Dog Tricks:  This teaches 8 basic tricks.  Would be good for new dog owners.

Dog-a-Log:  Its a list of dog breeds with pictures and descriptions.  It is collected off of Wikipedia, and put in to simple app form.

Pet First Aid by Jive Media:  It has information on what do do in an emergency situation. (Burns, bleeding, choking, etc.)  It also has fundamentals for restraint and muzzling, with very helpful videos.  I think this is a great app for all pet owners to have.