| Holiday Safety Tips for you and your pets. |
New Years is a time of get togethers and parties. Here are some things you need to be careful of:
Alcohol is one of the preferred drinks this holiday for humans, but it can dangerous for your pet if ingested. Be sure to clean up any spills quickly and toss the empty containers.
Fireworks are fun for humans - but can seriously stress your pets. If you know that your pet has a history of being stressed by fireworks, see your veterinarian about tranquilizers. The medication can help them to cope with the stress brought on by the explosive noise of fireworks. If this is your first holiday with a new pet, then its still a good idea to see your veterinarian about tranquilizers before the holiday. Better to have them and not need them! The only veterinarian open on holidays are emergency hospitals, and they can not give your pet a prescription without examining the animal first, which means more fees compared to if you had seen your regular veterinarian during their office hours.
Human medications are another culprit on this holiday. 25% of the calls to the ASPCA Poison Control Center are about accidental ingestion of human medication by pets. Per the ASPCA the most common are ibprofen(motrin), acetaminophen(tylenol), antidepressants and ADHD drugs.
This holiday is also known for a higher incident of drunk drivers. Drunk drivers have a slower reaction time which can lead to animals being hit by car. Always keep your pets confined to keep them safe.
With the New Year comes resolutions! One of the most popular resolutions in the New Year for many folks after the winter holidays is to lose weight. Xylitol, is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar free gums and mints. It is toxic to pets. It can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Be sure to keep your "sugar free" foods out of your pets reach.
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What would Vallentine's Day be without chocolate? Chocolate is one of the most popular (and yummy) gifts on this holiday, but it can be dangerous for pets. It's usually dogs that get into this one. Per the ASPCA website: "Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and caffeine-like stimulants known as methylxanthines. If ingested in significant amounts, chocolate can potentially produce clinical effects in dogs ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases. Typically, the darker the chocolate, the higher the potential for clinical problems from methylxanthine poisoning. White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content, while baking chocolate contains the highest. As little as 20 ounces of milk chocolate—or only two ounces of baking chocolate—can cause serious problems in a 10-pound dog. While white chocolate may not have the same potential as darker forms to cause a methylxanthine poisoning, the high fat content of lighter chocolates could still lead to vomiting and diarrhea, as well as the possible development of life-threatening pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas." For more information visit the ASPCA Posion Control webiste at: www.aspca.org
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St. Patrick's Day Tips:
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Although green beer is fun on this occassion - it's important to keep it out of reach of pets. Some dogs will eat or drink anything but this could lead to an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
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Keep pets indoors. if you are having a party at your house consider boarding them that night. We offer overnight care! Check out our Canine Academy page for more information. Emergency veterinary hospitals are frequented by animals that accidentally get out and get into trouble.
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People food is for people and dog food is for dogs. The gastrointestinal tract of dogs can be very sensitive. Be sure to avoid giving table scraps to your pet. Food items that hare high in fat and sodium are not healthy for your pet and can potentially make them sick.
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Decorations can be a source of shennanegins too. Keep a watchful eye on cats and dogs that seem intrigued by your seasonal decor. If they eat your decorations, that is an emergency and you should seek out veterinary help.
Fun green holiday outfits are a way you and your pet can show holiday spirit!
Be safe and have fun!
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Easter Safety Tips:
Plastic grass, commonly used in baskets as a decoration is incredibly tempting for most cats. Cats love to chew on things that crunch and crackle. Eating this plastic grass can result in a life threatening situation. When making your baskets this year used shredded paper instead, and if given a basket with plastic grass in it, keep it out of reach of pets.
What's Easter without chocolate?! Although chocolate is a tastey treat for us it can be toxic for your pets. Keep holiday candy out of your pet's reach. If you receive a gift from a friend, besure to ask if there is anything edible inside, so you know if you need to keep it up and out of the way. Chocolate toxiticies (like may other toxicities) are better dealt with sooner rather than later. If you can get your pet to the vet within an hour of him/her ingesting the chocolate there is more that your veterinarian can do to help. If you can not get there within and hour - you should still go!
Plastic Easter eggs may look like your dog's favorite toy, but these can create a problem if eaten. Be sure to keep your pets from the Easter Egg Hunt (afterall they have an unfair advantage!). If your dog eats a plastic egg or breaks it up and eats pieces, you need to get him/her to a veterinarian and have him/her checked out - the sooner the better.
Lillies are a common gift this time of year - they are also one of the most toxic house plants. Cats love to chew on plants, but chewing on Lillies can be life threatening. If you get a Lilly as a gift this season, keep it outside, take it to work - but keep it out of your cats reach.
Holiday food scraps are not a good idea for your pet. Dogs have sensitive stomachs, sudden changes in their diet can make them sick. Foods that are high in fat, sodium, onions or garlic can also be especially bad for them. Keep people food for people, and dog food for dogs.
If you are going out of town to visit friends/family this holiday and you can't take your pets with you, consider boarding you pet at a secure facility with 24 hour care. If your pet gets sick, gets out, needs medicine on a regular basis and your only have someone checking them twice a day, that leaves 22 hours for problems to grow. We offer Day and Overnight care with our Canine Academy, where your pet will be monitored 24 hours a day!
Coloring baby animals (like chicks) is not only dangerous (as the dies can make them very sick and sometimes be fatal) but it's illegal. Enjoy these adorable creatures in the colors that mother nature gave them.
Spring.... the season of fun, family, chocolate.....and rattlesnakes! If you haven't gotten the Rattlesnake Vaccine for your pets yet, see you veterinarian TODAY. The vaccine does not eliminate the envenomation toxicity, but it can help to significantly reduce it. If your pet is vaccinated and bitten you still need to seek immediate veterinary medical attention, but that $20 vaccine coulds save you the cost of an $800 vial of antivenin (and your pets life). Other tips to stay safe around rattlesnakes: when hiking always keep your dog on leash, don't let your dog stick his head in bushes, and don't be fooled into thinking that rattlesnakes are only in the country - rattlesnakes live everywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Spring is also the time of babies being born, puppies, kittens....and coyote pups - which means that adult coyotes are looking to feed their young. Keep your pets inside, especially after dusk and before dawn to help keep them safe.
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Memorial Day Safety Tips:
Here comes summer! With summer in southern California comes HEAT! Remmber that dogs don't sweat like we do - they pant to cool down. NEVER leave your pet in the car (even with the windows down)! At home, be sure that your pet has a way to get out of the sun and has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. Very young dogs and older dogs should be given extra consideration during hot weather as well.
With summer comes get togethers and BBQ's too! Remember that table scraps can upset your dogs stomach. If guests want to give your pet a treat, have a doggie cookie jar that they can go to (instead of fatty table scraps). If your dog is on a diet you can limit the number of cookies in the jar daily to keep your pet on track for your weight goals for him/her.
May is also the time to be thinking about renewing your Los Angeles County pet license.
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Fireworks are fun for humans - but can seriously stress your pets. If you know that your pet has a history of being stressed by fireworks, see your veterinarian about tranquilizers. The medication can help them to cope with the stress brought on by the explosive noise of fireworks. If this is your first holiday with a new pet, then its still a good idea to see your veterinarian about tranquilizers before the holiday. Better to have them and not need them! The only veterinarian open on holidays are emergency hospitals, and they can not give your pet a prescription without examining the animal first, which means more fees compared to if you had seen your regular veterinarian during their office hours.
With the summer seems to come the urge for folks to let their pets run loose - which is a dangerously bad idea. With the BBQ's and the parties, this holiday is also known for a higher incident of drunk drivers. Drunk drivers have a slower reaction time which can lead to animals that are allowed to run loose to being hit by cars. Always keep your pets confined to keep them safe.
Rattlesnakes LOVE the heat! This is the height of the snake season. If you haven't already gotten the Rattlesnake Vaccine for your pet - now is the time. If this is your pets first vaccination they are given an additional boster in one month from the initial inoculation. Then they are just boostered annually. The vaccine typically costs $20-$25. Antivenin costs $500 -$750 per vial! That doesn't include IV fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, hospitalization and blood work - which all cost more! *Remember that the rattelsnake vaccine does not eliminate the envanomation toxicity, but has been shown to reduce it. If your animal is vaccinated and bitten you still need to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
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Lots of folks like to take their pets to the water on this summer holiday. Here are some things to rmeber to keep your pet safe:
Life jackets are not just for humans. If you take your pet with you on a boat they need to be wearing a life jacket. If an animal falls overboard and loses conscienceness a life jacket could save his/her life. Also the leaner the dog, the less they float which means that they have to work harder to stay afloat.
Heartworm is a serious condition. If you spend time around lakes and streams you need to talk with your veterinarian about starting a Heartworm preventative program. Blood test MUST be done before your pet can be put on the medication. Also, if you have left over medication from a course your stopped, you must have your animal's blood checked again BEFORE restarting the preventative. Talk with your veterinarian for more information.
Learn Pet CPR & First Aid! We offer a course at Animal Encounters thru the American Red Cross on CPR and First Aid for Pets. Knowing some basic CPR and First Aid for pets could save your animal's life one day.
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Halloween Safety Tips:
What's Halooween without chocolate?! Although chocolate is a tastey treat for us it can be toxic for your pets. Keep holiday candy out of your pet's reach. Keep your Trick or Treat bags out of reach. Chocolate toxiticies (like may other toxicities) are better dealt with sooner rather than later. If you can get your pet to the vet within an hour of him/her ingesting the chocolate there is more that your veterinarian can do to help. If you can not get there within and hour - you should still go!
Costumes are a lot of fun, but can be scarey for pets that are not used to them. Be sure that you try out any costumes (for your pets or your human family members) before you go out in public to be sure that you don't cause your pet any undue stress. Things to watch for when using costumes: Does it inhibit your pet's field of view? Does the costume fit appropriately? (not binding or contricting in any way) Does your pet leave it alone. (Be careful that your pet doesn't eat the costume! Eating foreign materials can result in the need for it to be surgically removed if it doesn't pass).
Trick or Treating with your pet can be lots of fun - but remember to keep him/her ON LEASH, not just for safety - remember that it's the law too. You should also fix some sort of reflective material or flashing light to your pet to be sure that they are easily see by others in the dark.
Cats, but especially black cats are at higher risk for being either accidentally or unfortunately intentionally hurt on this holiday. Be sure to keep your cats in the entire week before and after Halloween to keep them safe.
Staying home for Trick or Treaters can be a lot of fun too - but can also be stressful for your pets. Be sure to keep them confined in a part of the house that keeps them away from the front door to prevent them from running out or getting into the candy bowl.
Check out the Handout below for some more fun safety tips!
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| Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa & Hanukkah |
| Los Angeles County Health Updates |
The Veterinary Public Health & Rabies Control Program has detected 15 rabid bats in Los Angeles County so far this year, with eight being found in the Santa Clarita Valley area. Typically, we only identify 10 rabid bats during an entire year. The only other year with a higher number of rabid bats recently was in 2007, when 24 rabid bats were identified.
This past year, most of the rabid bats were found in and around homes, but three were collected in public areas. One was picked up at a golf course, another in a judge’s chambers, and most recently, a bat was found alive on the sidewalk in front of a store in Stevenson Ranch. Two dogs were also found playing with the live rabid bats at their homes. These exposures carried a high risk of rabies transmission, but fortunately the dogs were up-to-date on their rabies immunizations. After being revaccinated, the dogs were quarantined at their homes for 30 days. If the dogs had not been vaccinated, their owners would have been faced with the choice of euthanizing their pet or having it in a strict quarantine for six months. These two cases demonstrate the importance of keeping pets up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Because of the apparent increase in local bat rabies, and bats being found in public venues, the County Health Department wants to remind the public that rabies is continually circulating in our county. In nature, fewer than 1 in 1000 to 10,000 bats are infected with rabies, but when a sick bat is found, the risk is higher (approximately 10% test positive for rabies).
Individuals should take the following steps to reduce their rabies risk:
--> Make sure your pet is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination.
--> Immediately consult with your physician if you are bitten by wildlife, to determine if you need rabies post-exposure treatment.
--> Do not try to pet or directly handle any wildlife, especially bats.
--> If a bat is found on the ground around your home or in a public place, place a box over it and call your local animal control agency.
--> If a bat is found in your home and may have had access to pets or areas where people were sleeping, do not release it outside. If possible, put a small box or container over it and call your local animal control agency.
--> Report any animal bites or wildlife exposures to your pets to Veterinary Public Health & Rabies Control (213-989-7060).
Below is a Bat Rabies Alert handout.
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| Heartworm & West Nile Virus Update |
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Today, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District sent out a press release to notify the public that they had detected more western treehole mosquitoes (a vector of canine heartworm) in the San Gabriel Valley this month (see attached press release). Heartworm, a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes, can infect both dogs and cats. The disease has been fairly rare in Los Angeles County, with most pets becoming infected when they travel to heartworm enzootic areas in the country. However, last year our program has received 23 heartworm reports from local veterinarians, with 11 of the pets appearing to have contracted the disease locally. Some of the owners declined treatment, raising the concern that these pets might serve as a local reservoir for infection. Also, coyotes may become local reservoirs if infected.
We would like to remind veterinarians to report all heartworm cases to our program. Evaluate your patients for the need for heartworm preventative medication, and educate your clients about how to reduce the number of mosquitoes around their homes. Pets should not be left outside when mosquitoes are present.
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| Distemper Update from the Los Angeles County Health Department |
Here's an email that was received from the County Health Department about a distemper outbreak in southern California. I've copied and pasted the email below and inlcuded their attachments below. Education and vaccination are key in keeping distemper from harming your pets!
During the past year, the Veterinary Public Health & Rabies Control Program has been investigating a large outbreak of Distemper in local raccoons (see attached alert). Clusters of cases have been identified in several areas of the county (see attached maps). During this outbreak, the disease has also spread to other species, including dogs, coyotes, foxes and skunks. Since the disease continues to spread around the county, it is important to alert dog owners about the distemper risk and encourage them to keep their dog’s distemper vaccinations up to date.
Distemper is a contagious virus that can infect dogs, raccoons, skunks, foxes, ferrets, lions and tigers. The virus infects the whole body and suppresses the immune system. Animals infected with Distemper can spread the virus through direct contact with other animals or by contaminating the environment with infectious discharges. Infected animals become very sick, and develop nasal and ocular discharges, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, neurologic symptoms, and may die. Dogs may be protected from this disease through vaccination. Dog owners should make sure their pet’s distemper vaccinations are up to date, and discourage wildlife from coming into their yard. Do not leave pet food or water outside and keep the trash in sealed containers.
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| H1N1 Virus Update: Confirmed case in house cat. |
H1N1 Virus: Confirmed case in 13 year old house cat.
Below are handouts that you should read. The first one (on the left) is a press release from the Iowa Department of Health. The other (on the right) is from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. They have established that the virus can be transmitted to house cats, ferrets, tukeys and pigs. They also mention how simple precautions can help protect you and your pets.
Check it out!
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| "Pets America" YouTube of Pet CPR |
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