Halloween Tips from our friends at Parks4Paws

Halloween is a holiday known for its tricks as well as its treats. Therefore, it’s good to make sure your wicked and wild plans are pet safe, too. Here are ten tips for making sure that the only Halloween cats that give you a scare are the ones cut out of black paper…

1. Keep the candy for the kids. Although chocolate is a well known pet-safety hazard, artificial sweeteners and other candy ingredients are also dangerous for your pet. If you want to give your cat or dog Halloween treats, ones from the pet store are just the trick.

2. Watch for escape artists. On Halloween night, you’ll probably be opening your door for trick-or-treaters every few minutes. Make sure to check that your dog or cat stays inside after each visit.

3. Make sure your pets are clearly tagged. It’s easy for an animal to escape on Halloween night, so make certain that your pet is wearing a collar with contact information on it. Brighter colors are easier to see! Don’t have a collar tag? Buy one, now!

4. Consider your pet’s temperament. If your animals are frightened of strangers, loud noises, or children, keep them in an area of the house that’s away from the front door. The sights, colors, and sounds of Halloween can be stressful for even the calmest pets.

5 .Keep your pets close to home, particularly the black cats. Unfortunately, Halloween brings out the dark side of some people who may use the holiday as an excuse to torment or otherwise injure an animal they find lose on the street.

6. Think about the children. Even if your pets are good with children, not all children are good with pets. It may be a good idea to keep your pets away from a child who could startle them into an aggressive or defensive attack.

7. Avoid costume drama. Make sure you choose a Halloween costume that’s safe for pets. Avoid strangulation hazards and parts that affect vision or movement. If your dachshund looks completely miserable dressed up as a hot dog, then let him out as soon as you’ve taken a few photos.

8. Be careful with the decorations. A Jack O’Lantern with a candle or glow stick in it may be beautiful for you, but it’s also fascinating for your pet. Reduce the risk of singed whiskers or poisoned bellies by keeping dangerous decorations out of your pets’ reach.

9. Minimize stress while you’re away. If you plan to go out for a party or other Halloween fun, leave the radio or television on. The noise can mask loud noises your pets hear from the outside festivities.

10. Remember to keep it fun. Whatever you do, don’t let worrying about pet safety ruin the evening. With a few simple precautions, there’s no reason why you and your pets can’t have a boo-tiful holiday full of frightful, and pet-safe, fun.

2nd Annual Pooch Plunge

Does your dog love the water? If you answered yes then we have a fun event to share with you.

Parks 4 Paws is putting on the 2nd annual Pooch Plunge in the outdoor pool at the Carson Aquatic Facility. This event is a fund-raiser for the only fully fenced dog park which is already designated for the West end of Fuji Park.

Three swim times will be offered giving your pooch a chance to bid farewell to the dog days of summer. Come join us for the fun on Saturday Sept. 18th. Swim times are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 for the first dog and $5.00 each additional dog.

For more information go to www.parks4paws.com

Pets and hot weather

Now that hot weather is here, follow these tips to keep your pets healthy and comfortable.

NEVER EVER leave a pet in your car unattended. Some people think cracking or rolling down a window helps. It doesn’t! When it is 95 degrees outside, temperatures in your car can go upwards of 125 degrees in a very short time. Try this……get in your car in the middle of the day…….roll a window
down 1/2 way and just sit there. How long could you last?

Does your dog spend the day in your yard while you are at work? Make sure
there is adequate fresh water and a shelter to get out of the heat. Consider
purchasing a small plastic play pool for your dog to cool himself off in. Most
dogs love splashing and playing the refreshing water.

Just because you like to run in the middle of a hot day doesn’t mean your dog
does. Exercise your dog in the early morning or later evening when
temps are a bit cooler. If your dog is running with you, keep in mind
dogs will run until they drop. For dogs that are just starting an exercise
regimen start slow and build up to a regular steady pace.

Asphalt can get extremely hot in the summer. We watched numerous dogs at the Petsmart adoption event being walked from the car to the store. They were all “high stepping” on that hot pavement. Carry your dog, or better yet… leave it home. Come back when temps are cooler.

“Frosty Paws” are available in the ice cream section of Walmart and Safeway. They are tasty sundaes made specifically for your pet. They are a nice summertime treat.

If your small dog or cat stays locked up in the house during the day, make sure they have a cooler section of the house to hang in with plenty of fresh water available at all times.

May you and your pets be safe and enjoy this great time of the year.

Heartworm positive cat found in Carson City

Thats right folks. We recently diagnosed a cat with heartworm. This was the first heartworm positive cat that Lone Mountain Veterinary Hospital has seen. The cat was a stray that had been hanging out in a neighborhood. Someone brought him in to be checked out and neutered. We recommended testing first for Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Heartworm prior to performing the surgery. He tested postive for both FIV and Heartworm. This cat was humanely euthanized due to the nature of his illness.

Cats typically have fewer and smaller worms than dogs, and the life span of worms is shorter, approximately two to three years, compared to five to seven in dogs. Heartworms do not have to develop into adults to cause significant pulmonary damage in cats, and consequences can still be very serious when cats are infected by mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae. Newly arriving worms and the subsequent death of most of these same worms can result in acute pulmonary inflammation response and lung injury. The initial phases is often misdiagnosed as asthma or allergic bronchitis but can actually be part of a syndrome now known as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease.

Heartworm in cats is not treatable as it is in dogs. It is however, preventable for both cats and dogs by a once monthly dose of a tasty chewable tablet called Heartgard.

Contact us today to schedule your cat for a quick and easy in house heartworm test. 883-3136

Foxtail season is here

Beware of foxtail plant awns. They look threatening and are rampant this time of the year.  They  frequently burrow into the skin of our canine patients causing a local foreign body reaction and abscess formation. This can lead to pain, heat, swelling and redness. They most commonly affect the paws and lower limbs. They also get into the ears and can potentially damage the ear drum. As your dog is sniffing in the brush they can inhale them into their nose or become embedded in their eyes.

It is recommended to remove all foxtail plants from dog yards, and check your dog for the awns after hiking or walking in infested areas. Shaving the hair around the paws in medium to long hair dogs makes finding the foxtail awns easier, before they are able to burrow beneath the skin. Ask your Veterinarian or groomer to do “poodle feet” on your dog.

If you notice your dog licking or chewing at his/her paws do an inspection of both the top and bottoms of the feet. If you see a red inflammed area, your dog probably has a foxtail abscess. Excessive head shaking, sneezing or runny eyes can also be an indication of a foxtail problem.

Any of the above actions on the part of your dog requires a trip to your Veterinarian.

Noise phobia

Does your dog have a fear of loud noises such as thunderstorms, gunshots and fireworks? If you answered yes, your dog could be suffering from noise phobia.

Noise phobia is a fairly common and very real problem for many dogs. These animals can become frantic and overwhelmed with fear during theses noise episodes. The fear tends to get worse as the animal ages. No one knows exactly why some dogs fear these loud noise and some don’t. The fear may not be limited to the noise alone. During thunderstorms, changes in barometric pressure and humidity can affect your dog’s senses and possibly even cause discomfort in the ears.

Animals have a tendency to react to our reactions. If you get nervous and scared during thunderstorms, your pet has a greater chance of acting the same way. Your dog will pick up on your body language and emotions, so try to remain calm and confident. Don’t coddle your dog during a thunderstorm episode. Petting and praising can be interpreted as a reward for the negative or nervous behavior.

If you know your dog has noise phobia, try to plan ahead. If thunderstorms are looming, or the Fourth of July has arrived, don’t leave your dog unattended in the yard. He/she will find a way out! Some dogs prefer the safety and comfort of a small room or a crate. Turn the TV or radio up loud enough to distract from the noise outside. Reward your pet with praise, only after your dog is calm and relaxed. Consider distracting your dog during the remainder of the storm or noise episode by practicing basic commands or playing fetch.

For more severe cases consider speaking with your Veterinarian. Your dog may benefit from a sedative such as Acepromazine, or an anti-anxiety drug such as Xanax, Clomipramine or Valium. You may also want to ask your veterinarian about the DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) calming collar or wall plug in.

Act now to help prevent problems in the future.

Rattlesnakes and your dog

Ok,  so we all know that this is not a real rattlesnake,  but….it got your attention didn’t it!

Warmer weather is just around the corner, according to the calender anyway.   Warmer days bring us all outside more, hiking and exploring with our dogs.  That increases the likelihood of encountering a rattlesnake, as they are also out more during our warmer days.

Popular areas where you and your dog may encounter snakes are the Silver Saddle Ranch, Prison Hill and Ash Canyon.

above: a real live Nevada rattler!

Dogs are curious creatures and most are bit either by antagonizing a snake or by a mere chance encounter.   A dog that is bitten by a rattlesnake is considered an emergency and should be transported to the nearest veterinary hospital.   These dogs are started on IV Fluids and given antibiotics to help prevent against infection.   If antivenom is available it can also given, but it is extremely expensive.   Most veterinarians don’t stock it due to the cost.  Localized necrosis of the surrounding tissue is not uncommon.  Snake bites are very painful.

Did you know that there is a vaccine to help reduce some of the harmful effects of a rattlesnake bite?   Dogs that are protected with this vaccine have a tendency to not develop the necrosis, are in less pain and are at less risk of needing antivenom.  The vaccine stimulates your dogs own immunity and protective antibodies made by the dogs response to the vaccine start neutralizing venom immediately.

The vaccine is given initially, with a booster 4 weeks later.  It is given annually after that, but should be given in early spring before snake season arrives.

Call us at 883-3136 to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions you may have.  Visit www.redrockbiologics.com for more info.

April is Heartworm Awareness Month

Are you familiar with Heartworm disease? Heartworms are a parasitic worm that can live in the heart and lungs of your dog. Heartworm disease has now been found in all 50 states. We used to think the problem was not prevalent here in Nevada, but due to the mobility of people and their pets, it is on the rise. Dogs of any age and breed are susceptible, and the disease can be fatal.

The life cycle of the heartworm begins when a mosquito bites and feeds on the blood of an infected dog. The mosquito takes in the immature heartworms which are called Microfilariae. During the next 2 to 3 weeks, the larvae develop into the infective stage within the mosquito. The next time a mosquito bites and feeds upon a dog, it can transmit the infective larvae. The larvae enter the dog’s body through the bite wound, migrate through its tissues, and develop over the next few months, eventually reaching the dog’s heart and lungs. These heartworms may be present in the dog’s heart and lungs approximately four months after infection. Once in the dog’s heart they can grow upwards of 7 to 11 inches long.

Signs of Heartworm disease may be coughing, exercise intolerance, difficulty breathing and weight loss.

Prevention of this disease is simple. First of all a simple in-house blood test is run to rule out any possibility that your dog has already been exposed to the disease. If negative, your dog will be prescribed HEARTGARD or HEARTGARD PLUS, by MERIAL. It is a tasty beef flavored chew that is given once a month. They contain Ivermectin and Pyrantel which prevents heartworm disease.

Call us today to schedule your dogs annual heartworm blood test. Mosquito season is just around the corner. Visit Merial’s website for more information on this disease by clicking on the link to the right.

HAPPY EASTER

Easter Lilies

Happy Easter everyone!  Easter can be a fun day for both you and your pet if you take a few precautions against some health hazards that can be found this time of year.  The Easter Lily is a beautiful and fragrant flowering plant.  It is however, highly toxic to your cat if ingested.  Signs to watch for are vomiting and lethargy.  If not treated this can lead to kidney failure and even death.  Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat has chewed or eaten your plant.  Chocolate Easter bunnies are considered a delicacy to most dogs, but can also be toxic.  More so if they are made with dark chocolate or if they are made with Xylitol an artificial sweetener.  Early clinical signs of ingestion are vomiting, diarrhea and trembling.  Again, contact your veterinarian if you suspect ingestion.  One last item your pet may be attracted to, especially cats, is the “grass” used in most Easter baskets.  Even one thin strand of  grass if swallowed can act like a serrated knife as it moves along the intestinal tract.  This can cause irritation and bleeding.  Complications from this can lead to Peritonitis,  a life threatening situation.  Grass can also wrap around a tooth and become caught in the mouth or down the throat.  Watch for excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth or gagging.   Contact the ASPCA 24 hour Poison Control Hot Line if you suspect your pet has ingested anything possibly toxic.  Their  number is 1-800-548-2423.

Spay/Neuter Clinic

Dr. John Margolin neutering a young male.

We just had our first Carson Tahoe SPCA sponsored feline spay/neuter clinic. We spayed 11 females and 6 male cats. All of these animals were sent to us via the Ron Woods Family Resource Center here in Carson City. They are an agency who help families who are in financial distress. Dr. John Margolin donated his time to perform all of the surgeries. Susan Paul of the Carson Tahoe SPCA provided the funding and helped with the clinic. All cats were given a thorough exam and caught up on needed vaccines. Thanks to Lone Mountain employees, Aubrie Ricketts, Lisa Castillo and Margie Quirk for donating their time to help, and a thank you to Karen Porter for giving us a much needed hand. It is so nice to know we have helped just a little to cut down on the cat over population in our community.