 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| Home Services Location Staff Forms Resources Archives | ||
 |
||
|
Summer’s coming along soon and folks are starting to think about their vacation plans. Those with children and pets have special considerations. While we can’t really advise you about the children, we can give you some thoughts about your pet.
If you decide your pet should not travel with you, consider your alternatives. You can board your pet at our facility, you can get a responsible relative or friend to look after your pet or you can hire a pet sitter. Keep in mind animals can get lonely when left at home alone, but you want to make sure your pet is comfortable if it is going to another home. If you are asking someone other than your veterinarian to be responsible for your pet, be sure to give them appropriate information regarding the pet’s health and the telephone number of the veterinarian who normally cares for the pet. You should also provide any medications the pet normally takes, the food the pet is used to eating and you may also want to send along a favorite toy or two. And don’t forget to leave contact information where you may be reached in case of emergency. Whatever choice you make, your pet needs to be up to date on vaccinations and current on heartworm medications. If you are not boarding your pet with your veterinarian, you may want to consider leaving a letter of instruction regarding emergency care of your pet.
Parvo Virus Alert We have run this before, but due to the number of cases of parvo virus we have already seen this year, we feel it is important to remind everyone. Spring and early Summer are prime times for parvo virus to appear. If your pet’s vaccinations are not current, be sure you update your vaccinations. Parvo is very costly to treat and can be fatal. Puppies are especially susceptible to this disease, which is characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. Parvo is very easily passed to other dogs. Wait six months before introducing a new puppy into a household that has had an outbreak of parvo. Treatment is costly, vaccinations are not. Keep in mind, this is a virus, so once your pet catches parvo we can only treat the symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration Call us if you aren’t sure of the status of your pet’s vaccinations. Kids, Pets and Worms Humans can become infected by roundworms or hookworms. These are two of the parasites EDVC checks for at the annual exam.
Once soil is contaminated it can take seven years for the eggs to die off. Puppies and kittens are the primary shedders of these parasites. Another good reason to use a broadspectrum heartworm prevention like HeartGard, Interceptor or Sentinel is parasite control. These treat monthly for intestinal parasites as well as serving as heartworm prevention. Maintain the normal feeding and walking schedule as much as possible. Be sure to bring old bath towels or paper towels in case of an accident and plastic bags to dispose of your pet’s waste. It is a good idea to bring a picture of your pet for identification purposes in case you and your pet become separated. You should also consider getting a microchip – these chips are universally readable and veterinarians typically check for these when someone brings in a dog they found wandering. Remember when traveling out of state by car, plane or train, most state laws require your pet to have a health certificate. These can be obtained up to 10 days prior to travel and require a physical exam. From Fall 2006....
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted when a dog encounters infected urine of wildlife such as raccoons, skunks and rodents. Flooding can wash these bacteria into urban environments. It requires a warm, moist environment to live. This bacterium enters the body through abraded skin, water-softened skin or infected drinking water. Once exposed it takes 4-7 days for the dog to show signs of illness and can cause acute kidney and liver damage requiring intense hospitalization. Damage to these organ systems can lead to death. This disease is also transmittable to humans. Animals exposed to wildlife and bodies of water, along with those competing in dog shows and events are at a higher risk to contract this disease. Prevention includes limiting your pet’s access to marshy low-lying areas and wildlife, good kennel sanitation and rodent control. There are many varieties of Leptospirosis and the vaccine offers no cross reactivity. That means for the vaccine to be effective, the dog has to encounter the specific strains of the disease that are in the vaccination. Immunity from the vaccine lasts for 6-8 months. If exposure is high, vaccine recommendations are every 6 months. However, this vaccine can cause more severe adverse reactions than seen with other vaccinations. Signs to look for are facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, itching and death. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) does not include this vaccination in what is considered CORE vaccination recommendations. If your pet fits into the “at risk” category, please discuss the issue with your veterinarian.
School Has Started — Let's Be Safe Now that school has started, children may have more opportunity to meet unknown dogs or cats. The best rule is to never pet a strange dog or cat, but knowing the connection between children and animals, parents may want to share these thoughts with their youngsters. Never go near an angry of frightened dog – it may bite you. Danger signs from dogs that tell you to stay away:
Also stay away from an angry or frightened cat – you may get hurt. Dangers signs from cats that tell you to stay away:
If your child is bitten or scratched by a strange dog or cat, contact your doctor for the appropriate treatment. Always keep in mind dogs and cats can transmit rabies, and bites can become seriously infected if not treated properly. WARNING: Hidden Dangers of Shredders We as a society are becoming more aware of the dangers and prevalence of identity theft. To that end, more and more households are purchasing and using convenient paper shredders. While these are absolutely critical to maintaining security and peace of mind, they present a danger most folks may not be aware of. There are numerous cases where someone’s child, dog, puppy, cat or kitty has been seriously harmed by these seemingly innocuous devices. The problem is most are left turned on at all times. Dogs have been known to get tongues severely damaged (sometimes ending in need to euthanize), and have also gotten ears or long hair caught, resulting in serious bodily harm. Cats have gotten tongues, ears or long hair caught ending in equally devastating circumstances. Do your children and your pets a favor – buy a shredder which has an on/off switch and turn it off when you are finished, or even better – unplug it. Such measures can help you avoid these catastrophic situations. Pet Insurance Most of us have insurance of some kind – health, life, automobile, home or apartment dweller insurance. Why not consider insurance for your pet. This industry has been in existence for over 20 years and interestingly, the European countries have more readily embraced it than the United States has. For example one source of ours shows that in Sweden, 48% of pet owners have insurance for their pets. Modern veterinary medicine can diagnose and treat illness or serious injury through use of sophisticated tools equal to those available to humans. However, there is a significant cost burden with these. This puts the pet owner in the difficult position of having to choose between their pocketbook and their pet. Pet insurance may be able to help out in these times. For the most part, pet insurance is similar to human health insurance and can be obtained to help out with maintenance and routine care as well as the more serious accidents or illnesses. Many different plans are available. The clients of our Clinic that have pet insurance are extremely happy with it. For the most current information, contact the carriers listed below or search the Internet for additional carriers:
From Spring 2006.... Parvo Virus Alert Spring and early Summer are prime times for parvo virus to appear. If your vaccinations are not current, be sure you update your vaccinations. Parvo is very costly to treat and can be fatal. Puppies are especially susceptible to this disease, which is characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. Parvo is very easily passed to other dogs. Treatment is costly, vaccinations are not. Call us if you aren’t sure of the status of your pet’s vaccinations. Avian Flu Preparedness The news is regularly reporting information on the H5N1 bird flu virus that has killed or caused the depopulation of tens of millions of birds since 2003. Potential harm to the world’s pets have begun to manifest, too. While we have not yet had an outbreak in the US, it is time to prepare – we are being told it is just a matter of time. There is much research into this disease currently taking place, and much effort being expended toward developing antiviral drugs and rapid vaccine production. Recommendations currently are that all pets (dogs and cats) be kept indoors. Recognizing this may not be practical in all cases, it will become significantly more important to regularly check your yard for dead birds. (For those who already maintain their animals inside, it will become important to check your yard before letting your companions outside.) And, with the benefit of a little time before the Avian Flu becomes a threat to the US, we have the opportunity to train our pets to spend more time inside our homes. Some of the areas of training that may be beneficial would be:
The staff at EDVC would be pleased to offer you suggestions for training in these areas. There are also numerous resources available on the Internet. Additional information is also available on the AVMA site at www.avma.org. We also recommend once the avian flu hits the US, that folks stop feeding any undercooked or raw poultry products to their companion animals. As a final note, a physician with the World Health
Organization made the statement the current
strain of the virus is very close to a mutation
that could be easily communicable among people.
This means we may all have to give up our soft-scrambled,
sunny-side up or soft-boiled eggs. REMINDER: Please be sure to give your monthly heartworm medication.
Schedule a check-up – Ten days before your departure, take your pet in for a physical exam and any necessary vaccinations. Obtain a health certificate if required, and be sure to always have a copy of your pet’s proof of rabies vaccination. Acclimate your pet – To get ready for a long trip, take your pet on a series of short trips, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. Call ahead – confirm that your travel destination permits pets. Prepare for chow time – Start your pet on a travel feeding schedule with a light meal of kibble two to three hours before departure. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle. Also, most pets seem to have less of a tendency to become car sick if they can see out the window. Gather the goods – Pack travel papers, food, bowls, leashes, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication, and a pet first aid kit. Throw in a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity. Update ID tags – Make sure your dog has a flat collar with an ID tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone number and a destination phone number. Tell your pet to say cheese – Bring a photo in case your pet gets lost. Be secure – Harness, rather than leash your dog inside the car. For smaller animals, a well-ventilated crate is recommended. And, of course, never leave your pet in an unattended car with the windows closed during the hot summer months. Heads in, please – Don’t allow pets to ride with their heads outside the window as it subjects them to flying objects, inner-ear damage, irritation to their eyes and lung infections. Outfit your auto – If you travel often with your pet, consider installing cargo-area pet barriers, waterproof seat covers, or rubberized floor liners in your vehicle.
More....(staff only) |
8541 Ferguson Road
Dallas, Texas 75228
privacy statement