Cat Steals Dog Bed

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

Featured Pet Of the Month-JACKO

Jacko is a 13 ½ year old, male neutered cat who has been coming to River Valley for care since 2007.  He has always been a very happy and healthy cat, but in the spring of 2010, his very observant mother noticed that he had developed scabs and crusty lesions around his mouth, on his chin and in front of his ears.  He also seemed itchy all over and was generally not behaving in his usual spunky manner.

Jacko was diagnosed with an immune-mediated disease called Pemphigus Foliaceous, which is actually the most common auto-immune skin disease of cats and dogs.  This disease occurs because the body develops an “allergic reaction” to the cells that hold the deep layers of the skin together and the result is ulcers, crusts and the types of lesions Jacko was displaying. 

Treatment for Pemphigus entails giving high doses of immuno-suppressive medication to “turn off” the body’s abnormal response to the skin cells.  The most commonly prescribed medication in this class is called prednisolone, a type of steroid.  In general prednisolone is very well tolerated but some cats that have sub-clinical Diabetes Mellitus can become full-blown Diabetics when placed on this drug.  Jacko had this reaction and his mom quickly called to let us know that, even though his skin looked better, he was drinking a lot of water, losing weight and seemed depressed. 

Blood and urine tests showed that Jacko had become a Diabetic and would require insulin in addition to changing to a different type of immune-suppressive drug which would have less of an impact on his body’s sugar levels. 

Jacko’s mom was very patient and worked really hard to manage these two complicated diseases.  After much fine-tuning, Jacko’s Pemphigus is in remission and his Diabetes is under control with a very low dose of insulin.  Today he is happy and healthy and enjoys chasing the other cats in his family around the house.  

FREE INITIAL EXAMINATION

Did you know that River Valley Veterinary Service offers a FREE Initial Examination to those visiting us for the first time? Click the link below to learn what to expect at your first visit, and even fill out the New Patient Form ahead of time to make your visit an even smoother one. We look forward to meeting you and your pet!

http://www.rivervalleyveterinary.com/your-first-visit

Pets and Beaches

Now is a great time to take your dog to the beach. Please remember that the sand can be extremely hot, and it can easily burn the pads on your dog’s feet. So, avoid the beach in the middle of the day. Early mornings or early evenings are best for your dog. Remember that drinking ocean water can cause terrible upset to your pet’s stomach. Don’t forget to check local ordinances, as some towns have restrictions regarding dogs on their beaches.

 

2 More Weeks!!!

I'm a Pretty, Pretty Princess :-)

Ooooh I can hardly contain my excitement to have Maggie home!  Only 2 more weeks until she is HOME!!!  The house has been cleaned, organized, re-cleaned, and re-organized.  I’m going bonkers!  I was sick this last week and my husband was out of town for work.  I just kept thinking how much “easier” it would be to be sick if I had Maggie to snuggle up next to.  That got me thinking about “therapy dogs”.  I work at a children’s hospital with the oncology patients.  They LOVE when therapy dogs come to visit them.  It makes their trips to the hospital for chemo a little more bearable.  I would have to look more into this to see what it entails.  Seeing how much happiness Maggie has already brought Joe and I… I would love the opportunity to share that happiness.  If anyone knows where to find information about this, please let me know!

Maggie is much more active now.  When we visited her last time she was sleepy and such a snuggle-bug (which I love!)  Now she's running around, chasing toys, and playing with her brothers and sisters.  I’ve already been told I need to work on my “No!” as it sounds too playful!  I told our breeder I’m not sure if I’ll be training Maggie or if Maggie will be training me.  I'm sure puppy school will benefit us both!  We are so lucky to have found such a wonderful breeder.  It will be fun to take Maggie back for visits.  Our breeder also grooms and dog sits so we will be able to get plenty of visits in!  We will be able to take Maggie home for a few hours to see if she’s ready on the 14^th.  If she does well she can go home for GOOD shortly after that.  This has been a long process for me (I knew I was getting Maggie before the dogs were even pregnant!) but well worth the wait!

Ooooh I could just SQUEEZE her!!

Maggie is ONE MONTH old! :-)

First of MANY hours of snuggling!

We had the opportunity to visit Maggie this past week and we were so excited to see her up and walking (attempting to any way!)  She is slowly but surely figuring out how to use her legs.  I can’t believe she is already one month old - time is flying by.  It gets so hard to leave the little fur ball after every visit.  Before we are even out the door I’m asking when we can see her again!  We’ll visit her again tomorrow and hopefully our visit after that will be to take her home for a day.  We take her home for a test run to make sure she is able to eat at our house and is ready to be off her mother’s milk.  If everything goes as planned we should be able to have her home for good early- to mid-June!  And if you can’t tell already we are so excited!  This has been a true test of my patience… and people know I can be very impatient!  My husband and I fight over who gets to hold her.  He calls Maggie his “replacement”…. I say “substitution”.  You say tomato.  I say tomata!  I’ve been trying to get extra shifts in at work to help the time pass between visits.  I also know I won’t want to work anymore than I have to once she’s here.  I’m starting to get nervous about potty training her.  I’ve always had the freedom to be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want.  We will have to get creative in coming up with a potty schedule for her.  I work evenings and my husband is a pilot so he is gone for a few days at a time.  Fortunately both of our parents live within 10-15 minutes and have offered to help along with a few other friends.  Maggie is going to be one well-socialized dog from meeting all of these people! J I’m hoping work goes by fast tonight and before I know it I’ll be playing with her again!   

Just relaxing with my new Daddy!

Staring contest! I WIN!

Proper Way to Remove a Tick from Pet

Pet of the Month

   One day Scott & Molly Meyer were perusing the Pet Finder website (www.petfinder.com) and they saw a picture of a dog that tugged at their heart, they just had to find out more information. Thus began their journey with the lovely dog they would call Clover.

Clover

   The story goes that someone “dumped” this dog at a farm near Postville, Iowa.  The farmer took pity on her and began to care for her.  Pretty soon he realized that Clover was pregnant! Knowing she needed expert care, he took her to a local rescue organization. Soon she had 12 puppies, six of them looked like Chocolate Labradors and the other six looked like Border Collies, what a mix! Despite having Giardia and a bacterial infection, Clover was a great mom. All 12 puppies lived and were healthy other than the Giardia that they all shared.  Pretty soon the puppies were weaned and were off to their new homes. Clover was exhausted!  Twelve puppies can definitely be a handful. It was time for her to recover and get some long overdue and much needed TLC.  That’s when Scott and Molly stepped in!

   Clover was about ten pounds underweight and in definite need of some extra calories. Her coat was very coarse, sparse and unhealthy looking.  Thankfully the Meyers were able to look past all this and see a wonderful dog in need of a loving home. Within minutes of meeting her they knew that she was a very special and amazing dog.

Clover

   Molly says, “She is the sweetest dog, we are so lucky to have found her and she is the light of our lives. It was just like finding a 4-Leafed Clover!!”  So that’s how she got her name……. J

When she came to the Meyer’s home they were pleasantly surprised to learn that she was a smart, well trained dog. She already knew sit, shake, down, roll over and “kennel up”! She was completely house-trained and will go to bathroom on command. She loves to go for rides in the car, does not climb up on furniture, doesn’t beg for food and doesn’t challenge them or their boundaries in any way. When they eat she will go and lay on her bed. She loves people and kids and loves to be petted; she will nudge you for a pet and roll over so you can be sure to scratch her belly.

Clover loves car rides!

   As you can see in the pictures, Clover has come a long way. She is a happy and healthy dog, it’s hard to say who may be happier, Clover or her new family!  Everyone is a winner!

   Special thanks to Erin Lunn, CSR at RVVS for nominating Clover as our May 2011 Pet of the Month!  Consider adoption or rescuing a pet.  There are many wonderful pets out there looking for their forever home.  We would be happy to help you with key information to consider when you are looking for that new family member.

Looking good Clover!

  

The warm weather and your pet's furry coat are happy hunting grounds for fleas and ticks.  We want you to know that fleas and ticks are more than just pests…they spread diseases, including, lyme disease, Erlichia, tapeworms, anemia, zoonotic intestinal disease and cat scratch fever. We offer flea and tick prevention to help keep your pet healthy and happy during this season. 

Featured Team Member of the Month





Tiana, Mara and Saul

    “T”, “T-Bops”, “Tina”, are all names that we affectionately call our Featured Team Member of the Month, Tiana Peterson.  We were lucky enough to have added this upbeat, positive person to our staff way back in 1995. Tiana started as a Kennel Attendant and moved up the ranks to become a first class, full-time Veterinary Assistant.  Along the way she also became certified as a Dog Obedience Instructor, making her a wildly popular instructor at our River Valley Dog School. Tiana has been able to share her experiences and education with many families as they start out with puppies in our Pups ‘R Us class, when they move onto beginning obedience class in Level I and rounding out the dog and owner educational experience with Canine Good Citizen class.

   Tiana has her sights set on getting her degree as a Certified Veterinary Technician and is enrolled at Argosy University as a full time student while keeping up with her full time duties at RVVS.  Tiana’s co-worker, Nancy says that Tiana is a lot of fun to work with and always makes her laugh! Brenda says that Tiana uses her great sense of humor to connect with clients. She also appreciates learning from Tiana as she uses her dog training abilities with patients during nail trims, patient restraint and helping the pet overcome their fears.  “They nearly always respond positively to her leadership and rewards!”

Dr. Laurie Miller says “What I think is great about Tiana is her longevity and her growth. From a high school kennel person to an accomplished VA, Obedience Instructor and CVT student all while at RVVS. That is really something today, where most people work many different places in their career.”

Tiana

   Tiana’s great sense of humor and fun really stands out both at work and outside of work.  Erin appreciates that Tiana has helped plan the annual Fall Fling for RVVS staff helping to make it a fun event for staff and their significant others.  “Tiana is a kind and generous person who always has a smile on her face, co-workers and clients all love her and appreciate her!”

   A German Shepherd named Saul and an Australian Shepherd named Mara are the two dogs in her life. Saul has spent time in nursing homes visiting people and Mara is busying training in agility, Tiana has done such a great job with these dogs!  She is also interested in fish and aquarium maintenance; in fact she has two aquariums at home. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, scuba diving, fishing, outdoor activities and training her dogs in obedience and agility.

Tiana (right) and her sister Lissa



 

    Congratulations to Tiana Peterson, we are so proud to count her as a friend and co-worker at RVVS!

Mara (left) and Saul enjoying a summer afternoon!

Hotdogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob…YES PLEASE! That’s what your pet is thinking when you’re cooking out. We would like to remind you that even a small amount of “people food” can be bad for your pet’s stomach….Don’t forget to be mindful of your pet while cooking out.  

Here She Is... MISS MAGGIE!!

I'm 3 weeks old!

Meet Maggie!!  This past Sunday we picked out our first puppy!  I was a little hesitant to pick out our puppy so early (she’s only 2 weeks old) but the other half of me couldn’t wait to hold our very own puppy.  It was so hard to not want to scoop them all up and take them home with me.  I was so happy to have my husband there since he was supposed to be out of town.  (He flew home early and surprised me! ) Surprisingly, there was no disagreement between my husband and I as to which puppy we chose.  While we were holding Maggie, she opened her eyes for the first time.  She seemed so calm and just melted in our arms.  She felt like the perfect choice! ... Plus I'm a sucker for chubby puppies!  Our breeder said this litter was one of the fattest she's had.

We will be able to see her weekly once she is 4 weeks old.  A few weeks later we will be able to take her home for a “trial day” to see how she does in a new environment… Then hopefully around 8 weeks we will be able to take her home!!  We are so excited to have her in our home.  I constantly check our breeder’s website just waiting for a new picture of her to pop up!  I’m counting down the days until I get to see her again.  It’s crazy to think in 2 weeks time she will have learned how to walk!

I can’t wait to come home to her wagging tail, take her on walks, and play with her outside in the summer.  I can’t wait for her to be lounging in her doggy bed - which I exchanged more than a few times until I found just the perfect one!  (Nothing but the best for this puppy!!)  I feel like I’m nesting… for a DOG!  Call me crazy, I’m okay with that!  I’m sure my husband will be a bit jealous but, hey, after all he bought her for me!  It just might also be the most expensive gift he’ll ever buy me… Did you know Martha Stewart has a puppy line!? J

Stay tuned for another update!  I’ll keep posting new pictures of Maggie as our breeder puts them up on her website.

Brit



It only took her a second to weasel her way into our hearts!





Happiness :-)



Happy Mother's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the pet mommies of fur babies and other pets! We hope you have good memories on Sunday, May 8th and that you do something special with or for your pet that day. Have a great Mother's Day everyone!

 

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week!

Join the event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915 -- American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same. While Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, we should strive to always be kind to animals every day. What is the kindest thing you've done for your pet today?

 

During springtime we all start doing more outside activities, especially with our pets. Accidents happen and the first thing to remember when dealing with any injured animal, whether it’s a family pet or one you found lying on the side of the road is to approach with caution. When an animal is hurt and you approach to help, their response to pain may cause them to bite or scratch and injure their rescuer. If it is your pet, cover his head so he can’t bite you, put pressure on minor wounds, provide support to the injured limb and seek treatment immediately. 

Meet Miss Maggie!!

Hello Everyone!  My name is Brittany and I will be your new guest blogger for the next few months!  My husband, Joe, and I will soon be welcoming our first puppy, Maggie, to our home.  Maggie is a Havanese and was born just a few weeks ago.  Even though we haven’t had the opportunity to meet her yet, we love her already!  Maggie will be a first for me and fortunately my husband has experience with raising his family dog.

When we were searching for a veterinary clinic, we came across River Valley.  Dr. Cindy Sellin was kind enough to show me around the clinic and introduce me to her staff.  River Valley seemed like the right fit for us and Maggie.  Cindy asked us to share our experiences with you as we learn and grow right along with Maggie.  Follow along with us as we balance the challenges of raising our first puppy!

I hope to be posting pictures soon as we will be meeting the puppies for the first time this coming weekend.  In the mean time, check out all of the puppies at www.purebreedhavanese.com.  Looking forward to sharing our experiences with everyone!!

Brit

Pets & Lilies

Easter Lilies can be a beautiful decoration in the spring season, but did you know that all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic and dangerous to your cat? If ingested, it can cause severe kidney damage and even death. Please be advised that cat owners should remove lilies out of reach of your cat and consider an alternative to the lily such as Easter Orchids and Easter Daisies. 

Avoiding Easter Hazards!

With the arrival of the holiday season our pets are often prone to new un thought of risks. Nothing makes a holiday more memorable than a panicked trip to the vets. But pet owners need not fret. Here's what you need to know to have an emergency-free celebration this Easter.

Festive Foods:
One of the biggest risks to pets at Easter time is "CHOCOLATE". The canine nose is an expert in sniffing out all the lovely sweet goodies in an instant. And birds, cats & dogs alike are drawn to the bright colors & shiny wrappers. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that can be toxic to dogs, cats and parrots. Baker's chocolate has the highest concentration of theobromine. How a pet reacts to chocolate depends on its size, as well as the amount and type of chocolate eaten. Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of chocolate toxicosis, and while rare, too much chocolate can even be fatal. Carob chocolate is a natural, delicious and pet friendly alternative.

Foil packaging, ribbon and pretty sparkly plastic wadding are irresistible to cats and birds, while a big shiny Easter egg appears as a fun ball for a dog.  Pets love to play with these items and they will sometimes swallow them. Known as linear foreign bodies in vet speak, they are indigestible and can cause a partial or complete obstruction. They are often sharp and run the risk of cutting through the wall of the intestinal tract which can cause peritonitis.

While we all love our pets and wish to include them in the festivities, it is important to remember that now matter how much they beg, what they want may not always be what is best for them. Rich fatty foods can cause an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis in the extreme. Onions either raw or cooked can be poisonous to cats and dogs. As little as one bite of an onion can cause some of the red bloods cells to be destroyed (haemolytic anaemia) symptoms can include pale gums, reddish urine and lethargy.

It is important to remember never to feed your pets cooked bones as they can splinter and cause internal damage. The same applies to feeding your pets fish which might contain bones. Bowls of nuts and raisin-laden fruitcakes or chocolate covered sultanas are also common holiday treats. Macadamia Nuts are toxic to dogs. Although one nut is not likely to harm your dog, a number of them could require a trip to the emergency ward. Dogs who ingest macadamia nuts could suffer weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia.

Foods that are healthy for us may not be so good for our beloved pets. Raisins and grapes are toxic to cats and dogs causing vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. While avocadoes are harmful to dogs, cats, birds and Guinea pigs. They contain a toxic fatty acid called persin which can cause vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, congestion, respiratory disease, fluid accumulation around the heart tissue and may cause death, especially in small animals and birds. So please be careful when serving fruit platters or salads this Easter.

One very real concern to pets are products containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. This absolutely needs to be avoided. It will cause low blood sugar if ingested in toxic amounts and has been known to cause fatal liver failure.
During the festive season it is easy to forget the dangers of leaving alcoholic drinks within reach of our pets. It may seem harmless enough to offer your best mate a frosty cold one to celebrate alongside the humans. But alcohol poisoning is a very real danger to our pets. Problems equate to the amount of alcohol ingested compared to weight. Even a very small amount of alcohol can cause severe poisoning in a small pet. The yeast contained in beer can also lead to bloating and abdominal pain.

The good news is there is now a specially designed non alcoholic doggy beer on the market called *Paw Rex* It is made with beef stock so dogs love it and even comes in a six pack.

It is also important to remember that most cats and dogs are lactose intolerant so avoid giving them any dairy products. Specially designed lactose free animal products are an available alternative.  It's up to us to make sure hazards are kept out of reach and that visitors or children know the risks. Remember prevention is better than cure. For healthy Easter treat alternatives to spoil your best friend, please visit our Pet Gourmet section in this special Easter addition of Pet Scene Magazine.

Unexpected Hazards:
With all the coming and going and busy rush that comes with the holiday seasons it is easy for opportunities to arise to get our pets into trouble. It is not uncommon for visitors who are not used to pets to leave gates or doors open. This welcomes the opportunity for your pet to flee the house with all its strange new smells, noise and people. An open window makes for a great escape root for cats or free flying birds. Many pets wind up getting lost or struck by vehicles as a result of this careless mistake. If you have a pet that becomes nervous around new people or strange activity it may be a good idea to plan in advance to have area of the house or yard which is separate where they can feel safe and secure. Visitors who aren't used to living with pets may inadvertently leave their medications within reach. This brings opportunities for serious problems. Dogs are not deterred by childproof caps and can quickly find themselves in a world of trouble. Warn guests to keep medications well out of reach.

Traveling with pets:
If your going out of town with your pet this Easter there are a few things to remember:

* Make sure your pet is in a cool well ventilated position and never left alone in a closed car, temperatures can sore very quickly.

* Make sure your pet is secured in either a pet crate or safety harness.

* If your pet suffers from motion sickness it's recommended that you consult with your vet prior to travel to arrange an appropriate treatment.

* Make sure you plan for toileting and drink breaks. Our pets need to refresh too. 

* If you are planning to go out on the water these holidays be sure to pack your pet a life vest.

* If you are going on holiday this Easter with your pets, be sure you have a full supply of any medications they may be taking with you.

The humble Easter Lily
Many cat owners will be surprised to learn that lilies ( Liliaceae) are extremely toxic to their feline friends. The exact cause is unknown, however even the smallest amounts if ingested by cats can  be fatal, while dogs who ingest large amounts only develop signs of mild gastrointestinal upset. Early warning signs of Lily toxicity include vomiting, depression and a lack of appetite. There is no antidote, but with early detection and aggressive treatment the cat stands a better chance of survival. Cats may sometimes appear to be improving after the first onset of symptoms, but 24-72hrs later crash and become critically ill as they go into acute renal failure. If you suspect there is a chance your cat may have ingested this plant it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated cats die within 3-7 days. Cat owners should never grow Lilies in the garden and should ensure that lilies are never part of floral arrangements. This is important to remember these holidays with the popular Easter Lily appearing  in most flower arrangements.

We hope that these tips will help you and your pets have a happy and safe
holiday season.

Heartworm disease has been found in all fifty states and continues to spread. Preventing heartworm disease is easy! Sadly, treating it is not. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos and can infect dogs and cats. Even indoor pets aren't safe. Heartworms damage the heart and lungs, and may even cause death! Fortunately, heartworm preventive medication can protect your pets from these dangerous parasites.