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Responsible Pet Ownership

1/5/2015

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Be a Responsible Pet Owner:

Commit
- Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.
- Select a pet that's suited to your home and lifestyle.
- Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
- Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).
- Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.
- Properly socialize and train your pet.
Invest
- Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.
- Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.
- Budget for potential emergencies.
Obey
- Clean up after your pet.
- Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.
- Don't allow your pet to stray or become feral.
Identify
- Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.
Limit
- Don't contribute to our nation's pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet's reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.
Prepare
- Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
- Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.
- Recognize any decline in your pet's quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.
**Adapted from https://www.avma.org

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In observance of the upcoming holidays, St. Francis will be closing at 12noon 12/24 and will be closed 12/25. We will reconvene normal hours 12/26. St. Francis will also be closing at 12noon 12/31 and will be closed 1/1/2015. Normal hours will resume 1/2/2015.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!!

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Kennel Cough

12/11/2014

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St. Francis has been seeing a number of kennel cough cases in the past week. If your dog starts showing any of the signs below please take the proper sets to treat your pet(s) and prevent further spread to others.

A dry, hacking cough. This is a classic symptom of kennel cough. The cough is generally dry and may be described as a honking noise. Unfortunately the cough is constant and persistent. Some dogs may experience a coughing fit every few minutes. Others may constantly be coughing as they are walking, lying down and going about their daily activities. The cough is probably the most uncomfortable aspect of kennel cough in dogs.
Fever. If your pet develops a fever, he probably has contracted a severe form of the disease. Some dogs with canine cough appear perfectly normal and healthy, other than the fact that they are coughing all the time. A fever indicates that the disease is taking a toll on your pet's body. In this case, you should provide your pet with extra rest and TLC to ensure his swift recovery.
Lethargy. Not all dogs with canine kennel cough or canine cough appear lethargic. Some do, while others appear perfectly normal. If your pet is lethargic he will have decreased energy, poor appetite, lack of interest in activities he is usually excited about, etc. The best thing you can do for a dog suffering from kennel cough is to make sure he receives plenty of rest and good nutrition. This will help his body combat the disease.

While kennel cough symptoms may not sound like much to be concerned about - after all, don't we all have these symptoms when we're suffering from a harmless little cold? - the symptoms of kennel cough are taking a major toll on your pet's body and his mental state. If you suspect that your pet may have contracted kennel cough, do not hesitate in having him seen by a vet immediately.

Kennel cough (canine cough) in dogs is a highly contagious disease. It is transmitted in a number of ways. These include:

The air. Canine kennel cough is an airborne disease. In fact, this is the primary means by which kennel cough spreads. When a dog coughs, he releases thousands of microscopic contaminates into the air. The bacteria and virus can survive on tiny dist particles, dander and survive for hours traveling throughout your facility until inhaled by another host. Once ingested, these agents begin to wreak havoc within the upper respiratory tract.
Contact with contaminated objects. If an infected dog drinks from a watering dish or hikes his leg on a post, and another dog comes in contact with these objects, he could easily catch kennel cough. This is why proper sanitation is critical in keeping your pets healthy. Failing to wipe down counters or thoroughly wash feeding dishes could cause your pet to develop this nasty canine cough.
Direct contact with infected dogs. Be careful who your pet associates with! Sniffing the nose or just breathing the same air as an infected dog can cause your pet to develop canine cough. Boarding facilities, doggie day cares and other businesses where numerous pets are kept in close quarters, must take extra precautions to protect their facilities from the transmission of kennel cough in dogs. If you suspect a dog has canine cough, isolate him immediately.

Most dogs recover from canine kennel cough (canine cough) within 3-4 weeks. If a dog has a compromised immune system or is extremely young or old, it may take up to 6 weeks for a complete recovery. However, your pet may still be a carrier of the disease several weeks after he has recovered. The answer to exactly how long kennel cough lasts truly depends on the individual dog, but 3-6 weeks is a common timeframe.

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Top 5 Pet Insurance Claims Made Over the Holidays

12/3/2014

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1. Holiday Tinsel and Ornaments Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters.
The problem with tinsel is that once it’s consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.
In addition, bright and colorful tree ornaments can attract your pet’s curiosity. Place glass, aluminum and paper ornaments higher up on the tree. Pets can chew and swallow these fragile objects and not only can broken pieces form sharp edges that may lacerate your pet’s mouth, throat and intestines, they could also create a choking hazard.

2. Holiday Lighting and Candles Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights — such as the icicle, netting, garland, curtain, rope and candle varietal — may be another source of danger to your curious pets.
Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.
If you have candles on display, place them in a hard-to-reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and more.

3. Gift Wrap Ribbon You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon “collar” but beware that this could become a choking hazard.
Also, it’s best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won’t be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

4. Food Hazards Festive events often mean edible treats — and lots of them. Unfortunately, some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets.

Different types of chocolate contain various levels of fat, caffeine and the substances methylxanthines. In general, the darker and richer the chocolate (i.e., baker’s chocolate), the higher the risk of toxicity. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, dogs might experience vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures.
Fat trimmings and bones are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system.
Abundant in many cookies and candies, certain nuts should not be given to pets. Almonds, non-moldy walnuts and pistachios can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction of your dog's throat and/or intestinal tract. Macadamia nuts and moldy walnuts can be toxic, causing seizures or neurological signs. Lethargy, vomiting and loss of muscle control are among the effects of nut ingestion.

Keep your pet on her regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet special treats or table scraps.

5. Toxic Holiday Plants They may be pretty, but some holiday plants are poisonous—even deadly. As little as a single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats. Others to avoid:

Christmas tree pine needles can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.
Holly, commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Mistletoe, another Christmas plant, can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death when ingested.
Poinsettias can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting.

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Thanksgiving Holiday

11/25/2014

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In observance of the upcoming holiday, St. Francis Pet Clinic will be closing at 12noon on 11/26 and will be closed on 11/27. If you have an emergency contact our office for our on call vets phone number.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
SFPC

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Pets and the Cold

11/18/2014

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Brrrr—it's cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can easily become lost. Make sure your dog always wears ID tags.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape.

Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

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Hot Spots

11/13/2014

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November Special

11/5/2014

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Arthritis Month
10% off x-rays, 4 day FREE trial of arthritis medication, 10% off arthritis prescription medication (min. quantity 30-day dosage)

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First-Aid Tricks for Pet Emergencies

11/4/2014

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Hit by Car
An animal in pain is more likely to bite. So muzzle it first with a scarf, belt, or towel, unless it’s vomiting. Get the animal off the road by gently sliding it onto a towel or blanket (these should be in your car's first-aid kit). Don't lift the animal. Make sure it’s warm, as it may be in shock. If it seems to have any broken bones, roll up a magazine or newspaper to use as a splint.

Poisoned
Many household items can be dangerous to dogs and cats -- everything from antifreeze, insecticides, and aspirin to raisins and sugar-free gum. But don't panic. Many of these have antidotes. Call the Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 immediately. They can probably help you even before you get to the vet.

Choking
If your pet is unconscious, open its mouth and try to clear the object out with your fingers. Or hang a small animal from its back legs and try to shake the object out. If the animal is conscious, do a modified Heimlich maneuver. Place the pet on its side, applying pressure right behind the ribs and pressing your hands forward. This may help push the item out. Get someone else to drive to the vet so you can continue to do this on the way.

Seizures
A seizure will generally pass on its own in less than 3 minutes. Your job is to make sure the animal is safe while it's happening. Get any movable furniture away from the pet. Don't put your hands or your face near the animal's mouth, and don't pull its tongue out of the mouth. Unlike humans, animals won't swallow their tongues during a seizure. When the seizure is over, contact your vet.

Dog Bites
If another dog bites your pet, get to the clinic as soon as possible. Dog bites can pull a lot of hair and debris into the wound. If it’s not cleaned out soon, it can become infected.

Bee and Wasp Stings
Bee and wasp stings usually cause just minor swelling and itching. If you can see the stinger, use a credit card to scrape it out, or pull it out with tweezers. An antihistamine like Benadryl will relieve some of the symptoms, but call your vet to ask how much to give. If you notice any swelling on the face or neck, or hives all over the body, get the animal to the vet right away. This could be a severe anaphylactic reaction -- a definite emergency.

Heatstroke
If your animal is panting heavily, drooling, having trouble breathing, or showing other symptoms of heatstroke, move it to a shady area immediately. Put a cool, wet cloth around its neck and head (not its face). You can also gently hose the animal down with cool water, especially the belly, before transporting it to the vet.

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10 Human Foods That Are Dangerous For Cats & Dogs

10/22/2014

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A number of human foods are dangerous to pets. Many of these foods may seem tasty to our pets but can prove deadly if eaten. It can be very tempting to offer pets food from the table, but pets should not be given human food unless recommended by your veterinarian.
If you suspect your pet may have eaten a dangerous food, contact your veterinarian immediately. In many cases, early recognition and treatment are critical.

Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in products such as gum, candy, mints, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Xylitol is harmful to dogs because it causes a sudden release of insulin in the body that leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol can also cause liver damage in dogs. Within 30 minutes after eating, the dog may vomit, be lethargic (tired), and/or be uncoordinated. However, some signs of toxicity can also be delayed for hours or even for a few days. Xylitol toxicity in dogs can be fatal if untreated. It is unknown whether xylitol is toxic to cats.

Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs in large enough quantities. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, and certain soft drinks. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine and caffeine. For example, dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain more of these compounds than milk chocolate does, so a dog would need to eat more milk chocolate in order to become ill. However, even a few ounces of chocolate can be enough to cause illness in a small dog, so no amount or type of chocolate should be considered “safe” for a dog to eat. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid or irregular heart rate, restlessness, muscle tremors, and seizures. Death can occur within 24 hours of ingestion.

Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause acute (sudden) kidney failure in cats and dogs. It is unknown what the toxic agent is in these fruits. However, clinical signs can occur within 24 hours of eating and include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy (tiredness). Other signs of illness relate to the eventual shutdown of kidney functioning.

Avocados
The avocado tree leaves, pits, fruit, and plant bark are likely all toxic. Clinical signs in dogs and cats include vomiting and diarrhea.

Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions contain chemicals that damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. Affected red blood cells can rupture or lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Cooking these foods does not reduce their potential toxicity. Fresh, cooked, and/or powdered garlic and/or onions are commonly found in baby food, which is sometimes given to animals when they are sick, so be sure to read food labels carefully.

Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are common in candies and chocolates. The mechanism of macadamia nut toxicity is not well understood, but clinical signs in dogs include depression, weakness, vomiting, tremors, joint pain, and pale gums. Clinical signs can occur within 12 hours after eating. In some cases, signs can resolve without treatment in 24 to 48 hours, but patient monitoring is strongly recommended.

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Responsible Pet Ownership

Holiday Season Hours

Kennel Cough

Top 5 Pet Insurance Claims Made Over the Holidays

Thanksgiving Holiday

Pets and the Cold

Hot Spots

November Special

First-Aid Tricks for Pet Emergencies

10 Human Foods That Are Dangerous For Cats & Dogs

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