Dog and Cat BizBuzz

Hurricane Preparedness For Your Pets

2011-08-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Irene is approaching! Here are some suggestions for disaster preparedness for people with pets from the RI DEM:
1. Make arrangements NOW for your pet's safety. If you need help to evacuate and have a pet, inform your local public safety office or emergency manager as soon as possible.
2. Be sure pet licenses and vaccines are up to date!
3. Assemble the following Pet ID pack(one for each pet) in a waterproof envelope or bag. It should contain:
a. Proof of pet ownership such as copies of adoption papers, registration papers, proof of purchase, microchip/tatoo numbers etc. List each animal indicating it's species/breed, age, sex whether spayed/neutered,color and distinguishing marks.
b. A recent photo of the pet.
c. Copy of pet's current medical records, including vaccination history, rabies certificate, important test results and existing medical conditions.
d. Current prescriptions. Provide specific dosing information.
e. The name of your pets veterinary hospital.
f. Contact information for a "buddy' such as a reliable friend, neighbor or relative who lives reasonable far away(ie. a place not likely to be flooded under the same conditions as yours).
g. Any special care instructions such as dietary restrictions.
4. Keep a copy of PET ID pack with you and send a copy to your "buddy".
5. In case it is best to stay put, identify a place at home to keep your pet indoors, ideally compfortable, convenient and sheltered from outside elements.
6. If evacuation is necessary, DO NOT assume public shelters will take pets(except for service dogs such as guide dogs. Having a list of kennels and pet-friendly hotels or relatives who can accommodate your pets would be helpful.
7.Arrange now for transportation of oets and carriers, especially if you need assistance.
8.Assemble the following items in a GO KIT, ready to grab and go with you in case of evacuation.
a. The PET ID pack.
b. A cage, carrier or crate.
c. A proper fitting collar to be warn AT ALL TIMES.
d. A sturdy leash.
e. Identification affixed to the collar, crate or carrier. Include contact information for yourself.
f. First aid kit.
g. Three day supply of food for your pet, preferably dry food because refrigeration may be unavailable for storing unused canned food.Include a 3 day supply of water.Include bowls.
h. Three day supply of medications.
i. Kitty litter and bedding.
j. Flashlights and batteries.

I hope this information is helpful and that everyone rides out the storm safely, including your beloved pets.Please make sure all outdoor cats are brought indoors before the storm arrives.If you have outdoor rabbits in hutches, they should be brought indoors as well.

Stay Safe!

Joyce Gifford DVM

SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW! STORM COMING FEB 1/2

2011-01-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

Please be advised that we may be adjusting our office hours Feb 1 and 2 nd due to the impending snow and ice storm. Please call our office for the latest information. 401 334-2765

Canine Influenza Update

2011-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

Canine Influenza has now been reported in Rhode Island.(See previous post) If your dog spends time with other dogs in a kennel, daycare or groomer setting they are at a higher risk for contracting the disease. Signs include those typical with an upper respiratory infection such as coughing, sneezing and a fever. Most patients recover without any complications. Approximately 5-8% of dogs can go on to develop more significant signs such as pneumonia. These dogs need to be treated immediately with antibiotics and other supportive care measures. Please notify us if your dog is showing signs of an upper respiratory infection. There is a vaccine available for Canine Infuenza. It is not 100% effective. It may fully protect against the disease or help decrease the severity of signs. The vaccine is a series of two vaccines given 2 weeks apart. Immunity is not protective for 4 weeks so plan ahead if you are boarding your dog and wish to get them vaccinated beforehand. If you have any questions please call our office at 401 334-2765.

Canine Influenza Alert

2010-10-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Canine Influenza is a newly emerging, highly contagious disease in dogs. We do not want to frighten pet owners but would like to make them aware of this disease. There have not yet been any confirmed cases in RI. However, there have been several suspect cases noted. There have been a number of confirmed cases in Connecticut.

Important information regarding Canine Influenza(Influenza A Virus H3N8):

>>Nearly all dogs that are exposed are susceptible to infection. About 80% of dogs will have a mild form of the disease. About 20% will show no clinical signs while 10-20% of infected dogs will progress to a more severe form of the disease.

>>Signs include cough, nasal discharge and fever. Mild signs may appear similar to kennel cough. A small number of dogs may develop more severe signs including pneumonia and death.

>>Testing is available at our office.

>>A vaccination is available. However, it is not recommended for all canine patients.

The population of dogs that will be more at risk for this disease are those that spend time with other dogs. This includes kennels, groomers, obedience classes, daycare or at the park.

Should you have any questions please call our office at 401 334-2765.

Alert: Iams/Eukanuba Food Recall

2010-08-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

There is a voluntary food recall from Proctor & Gamble involving some Iams and Eukanuba Veterinary diets as well as several "over the counter" diets. There is a concern regarding Salmonella contamination. These include:

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas(including Iams Low Residue Diet)
Eukanuba Naturally Wild
Eukanuba Pure
Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin

The recall includes all dry sizes and varieties with the "Best-By" dates of 01Jul10-01Dec11.

If you are currently feeding your pet one of these products and have further questions you can call 877-340-8823 for more information.

In Memorium

2010-04-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Our Website has officially launched! We are very excited about having a presence on the web and hoping it will help more people learn about Abbott Valley and all the great services we offer for your pets health care needs.

One of my original ideas when I set up this Blog and linked it to our website was to have a place to memorialize some of our long time patients who died or were humanely euthanized due to catastrophic illness or tragedy. Little did I know when I had that notion that the first memorial created would be for my own beloved dog Tansy. We adopted Tansy 7 years ago from our local shelter. She was a 6 month old pit mix who had been picked up wondering the streets and had no training or manners. In short, she was a nightmare. She chewed furniture, jumped on people, counter-surfed and was a complete wild child. Her one redeeming quality was an over-whelming desire to please. Well, through a lot of hard work our family turned this wild street waif into a wonderful, gentle and obedient companion. She loved doing tricks,(usually running through her repertoire all at once), chasing rabbits and hanging out with us by the fireplace in the winter. In the summer her favorite spot was lying like a pancake on the deck soaking up the sun. She had many dog friends at doggy daycare where she spent one day a week chewing on them and rough housing until she was exhausted. She was my shadow when we were together. One day we noticed she was a little slower flying down the stairs. I immediately began an extensive work-up pretty certain that I was just being a neurotic, overzealous owner who happened to be a veterinarian. Unfortunately, I was wrong. It turned out she had metastatic lung cancer that was very advanced. It was a complete testament to her zest for life that she failed to show any signs up until that week. Even after she was diagnosed and given a grave prognosis by the Oncologist she came home and chased a skunk to a very bad end(not for the skunk!)under our deck. We tried some palliative chemotherapy options but she had a very poor response. We could not stand to see her suffer as she was the sweetest love in the world. We made the best decision we could for her which was humane euthanasia. Needless to say our hearts are broken in two. Once we recover from this devastating loss our plan is to rescue another dog from the shelter or Rescue Agency. That dog will have big paws to fill!

Other big news of note is that the Rabies Law has changed in Rhode Island. All Rabies vaccines given after April 15th will be effective for 3 years assuming the pet had the original 1 year vaccine as a puppy. All first time Rabies vaccines are still effective for only one year. There is some variability with this depending on the manufacturer so talk with one of our veterinarians at your visit and they will be happy to explain the new law to you. More on Rabies

Happy Spring!

New Website

2010-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

We are excited here at Abbott Valley
Veterinary Center about the launching of our new website. I hope that those viewing the site will be able to appreciate the devotion, dedication and passion of our staff as well as our pride in offering the highest level of veterinary care available to our clients.

In addition, this blog will allow me to keep our clients,and anyone else who "cyber-stumbles" upon it, up to date on the latest happenings in pet health. I hope to keep it informative, interesting and fun. This format will allow me to get information to our clients regarding breaking pet health news such as pet food recalls in a timely manner.