National Pet ID Week - April 15-21

The third week of April has been designated National Pet ID Week. It is a time to increase awareness of the need to properly identify pets. We encourage pet owners to use one or more of the following pet identification methods to ensure the safe return of their pets should they become lost:

Collars and identification (ID) tags

Collars and tags are a reliable way to identify your pet should he become lost. Make sure your dog or cat always wears a current identification tag. Pet supply catalogs and stores, veterinary offices, and animal shelters often have forms to order ID tags. The tag should include:

• Pet's name
• Owner's name and address
• Telephone numbers (day and evening)
• Veterinarian's name and number, if possible

A collar worn for purposes of identification should remain on the dog or cat as long as he is in a situation where he could become lost.   Do not use a chain choke collar as the identification collar. A broad buckle collar is best. The collar bearing the identification should be fastened snugly enough that it does not slip off over the animal's head when it is grasped by a person. Safety collars or harnesses are often used on cats; harnesses should also be used for ferrets.

Check your pet’s tags regularly.  They can become lost, or unreadable with wear.  An alternative is to use an indelible pen to write a phone number on the collar itself. You may also be able to order broad buckle nylon collars with your phone number stitched into the collar.

Put a temporary tag on your pet when you move residences that includes a relative's or friend's telephone number. Many animals are lost when owners move. Use masking tape over the current tag or consider purchasing an instant tag, available at most pet supply stores.

Microchip Identification 

Microchipping involves implanting a tiny capsule under the pet's skin between the shoulder blades by your veterinarian . Microchips can be used on dogs, cats, or ferrets. The tiny chip is about the size of a grain of rice. The owner then sends the information to a registering agency along with current contact and alternate contact information in the event the pet becomes lost. When a pet is found, any agency with an appropriate scanner, including many animal care and control agencies, veterinary clinics, and research labs, can quickly identify a code that links the animal to its owner through a national database.  If you are interested in having your pet microchipped, call us at 845-628-1834 for more information.

Cat Crazy!!

We love our cats! We cuddle them, give them nicknames and spoil them with special treats.  Yet, a recently published study conducted by Bayer Animal Health determined that pet owners are far more likely to take their dogs to the vet than their cats.

Among the reasons the study found for this trend was that many people believed that indoor cats and older cats don’t need as much veterinary care as other pets.

We would like to dispel that belief. Annual wellness exams are vital to your cat’s health! 

Even young indoor cats are at risk for health problems such as parasites, fleas, and ticks.  Cats are at risk for many of the same ailments as their human and canine housemates, such as diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys, hypertension and cancer.  Dental care is important for cats as well; in fact, more than 70% of cats over three years old have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to pain and tooth loss, and the resulting infections can spread through the bloodstream and damage other organs. Many times cats do not show signs of illness until they are fairly advanced which is why annual wellness exams and blood screening are so important.

Preventive care for your pet covers far more than just vaccinations—it also entails nose-to-tail examinations that help to detect illness in the early stages, when it’s easier and less expensive to treat, and the prognosis is usually better as well.

Now, we realize that sometimes transporting your cat to the vet is the hardest part of the visit. We have all gone through the getting kitty-into-the-carrier dance and the crying meow song on the car ride to the hospital.  We do have handouts or videos on our website with tips to help make the trip easier.

You can help your cat live a longer, healthier life!  The safest and most cost effective way to do that is through regular wellness exams.

Spring is here....and so are the skunks

Has your dog ever been sprayed by a skunk? Even if not, knowing how to handle it before it happens will make your life simpler... You may have heard of skunk odor remedies like tomato juice or vinegar, but they really just cover up the odor.  You can remove the odor from your dog using household items. It's all thanks to chemist Paul Krebaum, who developed the recipe in 1993. Skunk spray is very oily and contains sulfur (hence the stench). This recipe causes a chemical reaction that breaks up the oils and neutralizes the odor.

Time is of the essence here - the longer you wait to begin the process, the harder it will be to remove the smell.  Once you realize your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, put on a pair of gloves and check for any bites or scratches. Also check the eyes for redness or discharge. If any injuries are found or you think your dog has been fighting with the skunk and not just sprayed, contact us before proceeding. Skunks can carry rabies and rabies is transmitted usually through bite wounds, so you should not handle your dog if there are any injuries found. 

In the plastic container, combine 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap (like Dawn, do not use antibacterial formulas). For larger dogs you may need to double/triple the recipe) Mix ingredients well. The solution will fizz, as a chemical reaction is occurring. Use immediately - do not store.

Do not soak your dog with water prior to bathing. Promptly begin cleansing the affected areas thoroughly, massaging the solution deep into your dog's coat. You may wish to use a sponge or washcloth. Avoid getting the solution in the eyes, ears or mouth.  Allow the solution to remain on your dog for at least five minutes (longer if strong odor persists).  Rinse your dog well with lukewarm water. Repeat steps 3-5 as necessary until odor is gone. 

Tips:

NEVER place the solution in a closed container or spray bottle, as the pressure will build up and the container could burst. This could cause serious injury to you and your dog.

DO NOT use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or substitute baking soda with "similar" products. The altered chemical reaction could cause severe injury to you and your dog.

Be certain you use fresh hydrogen peroxide, as it becomes less concentrated over time. If you are unsure how old your hydrogen peroxide is (or if it is expired) get fresh bottles just in case.

The solution can be used to remove skunk odor from clothing and other fabrics. However, it can have a mild bleaching effect on some materials. In addition, your dog's coat may become slightly lighter as a result of the solution. If this happens, it should resolve over time.

National Poison Prevention Week

NATIONAL POISON PREVENTION WEEK IS MARCH 18-24 

 Visit the ASPCA animal poison control website for important information on how to keep your pets safe!  

Pet Poison Helpline

 http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/2012/03/remember-pets-during-poison-prevention-week-march-18-24/ 

or 

ASPCA Animal Poison Control

http://www.aspca.org/Home/Pet-care/poison-control.aspx

Where Has That Tongue Been?

I read a very good article in the February 5 Poughkeepsie Journal that was originally written for the Associated Press: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012302050034 .  It's about preparing your pets for a new baby in the house and contains some very good suggestions from Dr. Sophia Yin, a well-respected veterinary behaviorist (a veterinarian who specializes in behavior problems).  The article's great.  The PHOTO, however, depicts a dog licking the mouth of a 3-month-old infant.

What's wrong with this picture?  Well, for starters, what was that dog licking just before she put her tongue near the baby's mouth?  If we're lucky it was just her food bowl or maybe the floor.  If we're not so lucky, that dog just defecated, and we all know what dogs use for toilet paper...

It isn't just the "ewww" factor.  Dogs can transmit the eggs of parasites called roundworms and hookworms through their feces, and when they lick their backsides after defecating, the feces end up on their tongues (and then on to your hands, your child's face, and so forth).  Since these parasites don't normally live in the human body, when they start to develop, instead of going into the intestinal tract like they would in a dog, they get lost, and can end up in the skin (called cutaneous larva migrans) or even the eye (called ocular larva migrans).  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) website has great information on these conditions http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxocariasis/epi.html.  Don't enter those terms in a search engine unless you really want to see some icky pictures.

Parasite transmission is probably the biggest risk to that cute baby in the newspaper photo.  She doesn't have a fully developed immune system and is constantly putting her hands in her mouth.  We need to remember that dogs can transmit other types of infections to people as well, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter (if pet food or human food happens to be contaminated, and hey, dogs *never* go through the trash).  Check out the CDC's excellent "Healthy Pets Healthy People" pages for more diseases, if you haven't heard enough already: http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/animals/dogs.htm.

Grossed out yet?  Then I've done my job :) Wash your hands before you eat.  Don't let your pets lick your face and especially not your kid's faces.  Don't share your plates, forks, or lollipops.  Love your pets, but don't kiss them on the lips.  We share our lives (and sometimes our beds) with our wonderful companion animals, but let's not share parasites, 'kay?

P.S. For those of you welcoming a new baby to the house, our own Putnam Hospital Center has a free Pets and the Newborn class coming up this weekend.  Call PHC for more information

Happy Super Bowl Everyone! Go Giants!!

You got me a WHAT for Valentine's Day !?!

Acquiring a pet is a big decision.  This article is going to focus on why NOT to give puppies as unexpected gifts, but the same considerations apply for any pet, including small ones that live in cages.  We know, they sell them in the mall and there's all these cute little bowls and toys and clothes for them.  Everyone loves a puppy - most are  cute and friendly and amusing.  When they pee on the carpet it's a tiny little spot and easy to clean up.  You don't have to put it through college or buy it a car when it turns 18, but it's a long-term commitment to another living creature who will depend on you for all of its needs for its ENTIRE life.  Whoa.  Could probably stop right there, but I won't.
So you decide you're going to give your parent/significant other/spouse/friend a dog.  Do they even want a dog?  Do you know what breed would best suit their personality and lifestyle?  Do they like to go on vacation?  Are you going to take the dog for them when they do?  How much time do they have to train a puppy?  Housetrain in the middle of the winter?  Go to puppy classes?  Exercise the dog (one of the most important parts of dog's life and one that helps maintain healthy weight and good behavior)?  Can they afford to buy a crate, bowls, toys, collars, leashes, and so forth?  Can they afford veterinary care? - because contrary to what many pet sellers will tell you, they don't "have all their shots" when you get them at 8 weeks of age, and because that dog is going to need medical care for the rest of its life.  What if the puppy isn't healthy? 
We *LOVE* seeing new puppies here at SPAH - it's one of the best parts of our day.  What we don't love is seeing people with a new responsibility they weren't prepared for and don't have time for.  It isn't fair to them or the dog, even though most of the folks we are lucky to have as clients have a strong sense of responsibility and will stick with it regardless.  Most of the time it does work out - puppies wiggle their way right into your heart and dog ownership is truly a joy most of the time.
So please - if you want to get your lady a nice gift for Valentine's Day, choose a diamond instead of a Dalmatian.   When you do decide to get a dog, make sure everyone is ready for the commitment that's going to come with it - then have a great time!

Sign up for your Pet Portal today!

WIN  A  KINDLE  FIRE!

Sign up for a SPAH Pet Portal before March 31, 2012 and be entered in a chance to win a Kindle Fire (a value of $199).  If you already have a pet portal, log in before March 31, 2012 to be entered in the contest.  Go to the Pet Portal tab on the left, to sign up today! 

   
Pet Portals are private websites that give you secure online access to your pet's health information. We provide Pet Portals free of charge to all clients who have active e-mail addresses.

• Visit our website at spahvet.com and go to the pet portal section.
• Visit our hospital. Just give the receptionist your e-mail address.
• Call us on the phone and give us your e-mail address.

Once you provide us with your e-mail address you'll receive your password by e-mail within 48 hours.

How do I view my Pet Portal?You view your Pet Portal by visiting our website and using your e-mail address and password to sign in. You must have "cookies" turned on in your browser in order to sign-in. You can bookmark the sign-in page, but not your Pet Portal, since it exists only when you are actually signed in.

What do you do with my e-mail address?We use your e-mail address as your Pet Portal sign-in name.

We also use e-mail address to contact clients about practice updates and important health news.

If you'd prefer not to receive e-mails from us, you can use your Pet Portal to change your e-mail preferences. You will still be able to use your Pet Portal, even if you choose not to receive e-mails from us.

Do you sell your mailing list?We do not sell our mailing list. We do occasionally work with animal health companies to offer discount coupons and other promotions for products and services that we believe are beneficial to our patients. We do not disclose your personal information.

How much do Pet Portals cost?Pet Portals are a service we provide free of charge to all clients with active e-mail addresses.
 

You can use your Pet Portal to manage your pet's health care and medication schedule, communicate with us online, and learn more about your pet's individual health and life-stage issues.

Do I need a separate Pet Portal for each pet?No! Your Pet Portal contains health information for each pet with an active file in your account with us. Remember, in order to have an active account, your pet must have visited our hospital.  (If you see any information about your pet or account that needs to be updated, you can use the Pet Portal to let us know)

How secure is my Pet Portal?Your Pet Portal resides on a secure server protected by a fire wall. Your personal information cannot be accessed by other Pet Portal users.

Your Pet Portal is created each time you sign in. When you are not signed in, your Pet Portal does not exist. This means that it's impossible for someone to find and view your account on the open Internet. Only you (and anyone with whom you choose to share your sign-in name and password) can see your pet's information.

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day! 

 Whether you are traveling around town or around the world it is important to keep your pets safe.  For important travel safety tips visit www.pettravelsafetyday.com.