We have a new team member at River Valley Veterinary Service!

   We are excited to introduce our newest team member, Deb Atchison!

She has joined the staff at River Valley Veterinary Service and is training to become a Client Service Representative. 

 

   Deb has lived in Minnesota her whole life and has two grown children; a son in Colorado and a daughter plus three beautiful grandchildren in Prior Lake. Deb and her fiance live in Savage where we they have an incredible view of the Credit River.  Her passion is animals, whether they are members of a family or wildlife. She says "that no matter how hectic and crazy life gets, animals can always bring a smile to my face and make me appreciate the beauty around us". 

    Deb's hobbies are gardening, reading and she also fosters for Happy Hounds Rescue,  "which is like watching a flower bloom". Most of these dogs have been saved from a shelter which euthanizes and given a chance to live in a caring and happy forever home". Deb has a huge heart for animals AND people, we are happy to have her at RVVS. We invite you and your furry family members to stop in and meet her!

Sugar, the Super Cat!

Sugar, the Super Cat

    Dr. Valerie Aliano

Tuesday, November 20, 2012.  Nothing really special about that night except it was pretty mild considering it was late November in Minnesota.  But that would soon change and Sugar and Diane were about to begin a 7 month journey of perseverance, determination, faith and love. 

Sugar liked to go outside in the evenings.  Her favorite pastime was to sit in the garden or under the bushes by the bird feeder.  And watch, and watch, as cats like to do.  So when she asked to got out that night, the door was opened and out she went, doing “cat things” in the warm nighttime air.  She came back to the door around 10 pm and slipped in without notice.  What was noticed was that she did not check out her food dish for the presence of tasty morsels or jump into her favorite chair for a grooming session and nap.  Now that was strange.  After about 30 minutes and a lengthy hunt, Diane found Sugar, hiding in the back of the linen closet, surrounded by blood.  Stemming the panic that threatened to overwhelm her, Diane managed to get her out of the closet.  And saw the damage to her leg.  It was bad, very bad but Diane wrapped it up and sped to the Emergency Hospital in Apple Valley.  The ride never seemed so long. 

On arrival, Sugar was rushed into the back to assess her injuries and stabilize her as necessary.  The news was not good.  Sugar’s right front leg was severely damaged – broken bones, severe soft tissue damage, complete loss of skin over most of the leg. 

 

The kind of damage that occurs when an animal get a leg caught in a trap….. 

Diane was given two treatment options, try to save the limb which would be labor intensive and carry a poor prognosis or amputation.  At 3:00 in the morning, with the adrenalin rush rapidly declining, Diane was not able to make that decision.  Sugar was started on pain medication and antibiotics, the wounds were cleaned and bandaged.  She went home with instructions to bring her in to River Valley Veterinary Service on Wednesday morning to again discuss options and treatment. 

In the few predawn hours before coming in to RVVS, Diane had nothing to do but think, and think, and think.  It didn’t get any easier when she arrived at the clinic.  The prognosis that we gave was no different than the emergency room veterinarian – treat with no guarantee or amputate. 

And thus began Sugar and Diane’s long journey of recovery.  Knowing that amputation was always an option, Diane elected to give Sugar a chance.  Few owners are as dedicated as Diane.  For weeks she brought Sugar to River Valley Veterinary Service on a daily basis for treatment and bandage changes.  Few patients are as accepting as Sugar, putting up with the cleaning, debriding and re-bandaging. There was even the trip to the emergency clinic in St Paul during a snow storm, for the ever necessary bandage change.  Sugar was rewarded with cans of Fancy Feast – very tasty but even that got old over time.  Diane was rewarded with pretty decorations on Sugar’s bandages to lighten the look.  Our staff thought we were pretty impressive with our bandage designs until Diane, an artist, took matters into her own hands.  Her decorations were stellar!  There were setbacks at times – but with the heart and courage of Diane and Sugar, treatment continued.  The improvement was slow, but over the weeks and months, little by little, Sugar’s leg came back to life!

 

In the middle of April, 2013 the last bandage was removed and Sugar, was able to resume her normal life.  She is doing great and runs laps through the house, chases her brother, Guinness, and plays with the toys that were idle during her recovery.  Pretty amazing for a kitty that was supposed to lose a leg….. 

One last note:  Diane shared with me the story about how Sugar came to live with her.  She said she was a “rescue” but went on to say that she think Sugar rescued her.  On the night that Diane had to say goodbye to her 15 year old canine companion, Killian, she found Sugar at the deck door.  She let her in and Sugar decided this was “the” place to be.  She immediately took over Killian’s bed, food dish and spot on the bed.  If you ask me, I think they rescued each other.

February is Dental Health Month!

Did you know that your pet can get their Professional Dental Cleaning done during their boarding stay with us River Valley Groom & Board? Check out this video of Maggie explaining the importance of dental health care to Max!

Cat Steals Dog Bed

National Pet Travel Safety Day

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day! When traveling with pets it's very important to ensure the safety of all passengers on board...even our furry ones. What is the furthest distance you have traveled with your pet?

 

Pets as Present?

It's hard to resist the joy of giving your favorite loved one the pet they've always wanted for Christmas. However, the result of many of these well intentioned gifts is animals that are unwanted, uncared for and oftentimes sent to shelters. 

An animal of any kind (even one as small as a fish or a hamster) is not a light, last minute purchase. Bringing a new life into the house should be well thought out and discussed with the entire family. 

Holiday pets often get ignored in the holiday rush. Christmas morning is filled with so many presents, lots of food, family and relatives coming over...then there's New Years in a few days. You think it's stressful on you? Thank about what a pet who's never been in your house before would be thinking. A new pet needs lots of quiet and calm. A new puppy or kitten needs to watched constantly and settle into a routine so they can become a happy member of the family. This is impossible to accomplish on Christmas. The new pet will just end up confused and scared. 

You should never pick an actual pet for another person, even a child. Bring the child along to pick out the animal and let it be a family event. All animals (even hamsters and fish) have distinct personalities and letting your entire family help with the choice makes the animal more special to them. Besides, don't you want to see how the puppy interacts with your entire family? That great puppy you pick out for your son might not like kids. Your son might decide the puppy you like plays too rough. Your kids may decide they'd rather have a cat! 

New Puppies

Almost every child asks Santa for one, however a dog is MAJOR purchase and a new puppy needs lots of attention and care. With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas/New Year holiday, the puppy probably won't get the attention it needs. That's not even taking into account all the ribbon, trees, rich Christmas foods, chocolate and other dangers the puppy could unintentionally get in while your family is busy with their other gifts. 

Alternate ideas: Give the kids a stuffed puppy and tell them the new puppy is coming. Wrap a puppy bowl, collar, crate and other puppy supplies with a "certificate" to get a puppy at a later date. All of this stuff should be set up and ready for the puppy when it comes home anyway. This way, you and your family can set it up while you tell them about the responsibility of a new dog. Another great idea is a few books on puppy care (especially if you have an older child).

New Kittens

Kittens don't take quite as much attention as puppies but they can still get into a lot of trouble at Christmas. Kittens are notorious for swallowing tinsel and ribbon and getting lots of stomach problems. Small kittens scare easily and the safest retreat will probably be up the tree which can be dangerous. 

Alternate ideas: Cat care kits, litter boxes, cat toys, books on kitten care. The litter box and a bed for kitty should be in place before he gets to his new house. You and the kids can decide where to put it.

Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:

O Christmas Tree Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
No Feasting for the Furries
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.

• Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
  
• Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Leave the Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.

That Holiday Glow
Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth.

House Rules
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.

Careful with Cocktails
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

A Room of Their Own
Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
New Year's Noise
As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.