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ENJOYING A HEALTHY DOG PARK EXPERIENCE!
Dog parks are a wonderful outlet and form of fun, exercise, and socialization for you and your dog. However, if dogs enter the park with an irresponsible owner or one not familiar with "dog park etiquette," problems can occur. Here are some bulleted points to consider to make your visit to a dog park more enjoyable and safe:
. Visit a dog park for the first time without your dog and familiarize yourself with posted rules while observing other dogs and their behavior.
. Be sure your dog is able to obey the off leash commands (sit, stay, and come). If not seek training before bringing your dog.
. Be sure your dog is parasite free ( a negative fecal examination by your vet within the last six months).
. Discuss parasite prevention programs (i.e. - many monthly heartworm preventatives also provide control for roundworms, hookworms, and possibly whipworms). Parasite eggs can be present in high numbers in the soil of dog parks which is why picking up stool is so important. Furthermore, wearing shoes is imperative since microscopic hookworms, for example, may penetrate human skin and can cause disease.
. Check with your veterinary hospital to be sure your pet is current on rabies and DHPP vacinations (or adequate titers). Also discuss non-core vaccines such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis and Lyme as to their recommendations based on your area's risk management factors.
. Consider flea and tick control.
. Watch your dog closely at all times for interactive behavior and walk around the park so that defensive "territorial" behaviors are not an issue.
. Bring your own water bowl with a fresh, clean supply of water.
. Avoid the use of tennis balls as they may contribute to infectious disease transmission and dangerous foreign body ingestion.
. Avoid the "weekend warrior" syndrome and allow your dog to gradually build up its exercise regimen.
. No choke or prong collars should be worn. Death has occurred when another dog's lower jaw became entangled with a choker collar during play, which resulted in suffocation.
. Do not bring a sick dog to a park (one who has experienced coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy in the last 24 hours.) Remember a normal rectal temperature should range between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a good idea to have an inexpensive digital thermometer dedicated for the use of your pet. A fever of 103 degrees or higher deserves a consultation with your veterinarian.
Enjoy improved health for you and your dog!
SAVING YOUR PET'S LIFE - STEM CELL THERAPY
Seeing energetic, carefree Macha...you'd never know she couldn't even lift her tail three months ago. The black Lab was named after the Irish goddess who could run faster than man or beast. Now she's able to live up to her namesake.
Trained by her owner, Tom Bulloch...her joy is tearing across the countryside hunting pheasant. But Tom says at the age of six...severe arthritis in her hip had her walking, not running to retrieve.
He says it was just heartbreaking, so he opted for a $2,000 treatment called stem cell therapy.
Bulloch says, "She's my pal so we would try anything to get her better. She was on three different pain medications."
Dr. Jamie Gaynor demonstrates the difference the therapy has made. He says, "This is one of the hips we injected. She has full range of motion, no pain." Tom credits Dr. Gaynor with Macha's recovery...getting her back to her old self in just four weeks time.
Dr. Gaynor, founder of the Animal Anesthesia and Pain Management Center in Colorado Springs is one of the most experienced vets trained in the cutting edge treatment...using stems cells extracted from a dog's own fat.
First the dog goes under general anesthesia allowing two tablespoons of fat to be extracted behind the shoulder blade. It's put in vials and overnighted to a California company called Vet-Stem which patented the process.
Technicians isolate the stem cells, sending them back in syringes to be injected into targeted joints two days later. They stimulate the growth of healthy cells, reduce inflammation, and help the injury heal. Any leftover cells can be frozen for later use.
Dr. Gaynor says, "the success rate for hip problems is incredibly high. I would say greater than 95 percent."
So far Dr. Gaynor's group has treated 40 dogs without any negative side affects. His first feline treatment is scheduled in the coming weeks.
Vet-Stem says the therapy also has been successful for treating more than 3,000 horses...leading many to wonder about humans. Could we someday be treated using our own stem cells?
Dr. Gaynor says, "I would predict that this will become a big therapy in humans. there is a lot of research going on relative to humans and adult stem cells. All the controversy is gone with that."
Since the cells aren't changed in any way, the federal government isn't involved, which allows vets to experiment - trying the therapy on dogs with spinal disease and Muscular Dystrophy.
HOLIDAY HAZARDS FOR PETS
By Brian T. Voynick, DVM, CVA When we talk about “surviving the holidays”, we are generally speaking about some of the stressors involved with this otherwise festive and busy season. However, once again this year, many of our four-legged friends may literally not survive or become extremely ill. Many factors come into play especially in New Jersey as we cope with lower, sometimes sub-freezing temperatures. Consider these tips to keep your pets free from harm. 1.PLANTS - POINSETTIAS – have classically been thought to be a poisonous plant for pets. However, recently it has been found that they have been over-rated in toxicity. If parts of the plant are swallowed, the milky substance can be irritating not only to the mouth, but also the stomach, thereby having the potential to cause nausea and mild vomiting. Your pet can get into much more severe trouble with possible death if he or she ingests the MISTLETOE PLANT. Symptoms are similar (vomiting) with low doses; however heart failure may ensue with large amounts ingested. LILIES - any varieties (such as Tiger, Easter, Stargazer, Japanese Show, Asian and Casa Blanca) can cause kidney failure and death in cats. Avoid exposure to HOLLY Plants. If leaves are swallowed, pets can experience, lethargy, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 2. TINSEL, RIBBON, and STRING are commonly played with by curious cats and occasionally dogs. When swallowed, they can “anchor” themselves under the tongue or throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This causes perforations or holes in the intestine during intestinal contraction resulting in death if untreated. Any pet that shows signs of listlessness and/or vomiting after ingesting these linear objects needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Early surgical intervention is often 100% curative. 3. CANDLES, commonly used during Hanukah, Christmas and other holidays, can be a serious danger not only to pets, but to the entire household should one topple over and spread fire throughout the home. Every year cat fur and tails become singed or seriously burned from ill-placed, non anchored and unsupervised candles. 4. ELECTRICAL CORDS, Unfortunately as twinkling holiday lights are strung they become attractive to pets as licorice is to children. It is not uncommon for cats, rabbits, or dogs to chew on electrical cords resulting in serious burns of the facial area and in some cases electrocution. It is therefore recommended to hide electrical cords or place them far out of reach of pets. 5. ORNAMENTS and DREDLE’S which are breakable or glass should be kept out of reach of pets. If glass ornaments are broken, they can cut tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and also cause serous injury to the mouth. 6. PINE NEEDLES – check around holiday trees and boughs as often as you can, to be sure your pet is not exposed to sharp pine needles. If they are swallowed, these sharp objects can puncture your pets’ intestinal tract. In severe cases a painful condition of peritonitis may ensue. 7. DANGEROUS FOODS – Alcoholic beverages should not be in contact with pets. Yeast dough also falls into the alcoholic beverage category. Raw dough which includes bakers or brewers yeast once swallowed ferments in the stomach resulting in the by-product of ethanol (alcohol), same as the alcohol found in liquor. Chocolate as is fairly well known is very toxic to pets. Bakers or semi-sweet chocolate is the most toxic, followed by milk chocolate. (White chocolate has no chocolate toxins or, Theo bromine in it at all). Foods containing fats, such as meat trimmings, or skin from turkey or chicken carcasses can cause serious indigestion, as well as acute pancreatitis which can be life threatening. Bones from the carcasses of fowl, chicken, or turkeys or bones from beef which may be splintered can be dangerous to pets as they can pierce the gastrointestinal tract. Onions and onion powder can also be toxic particularly to cats as it may result in severe anemia (causing destruction of red blood cells). Finally grapes and raisins have been proven toxic to pets as well as macadamia nuts. 8. DANGEROUS LIQUIDS – In this category anti-freeze is an important toxin. ANTI-FREEZE contains Ethylene Glycol which is toxic to pets’ kidneys. This is usually fatal. However immediate veterinary attention may save a pet from dying of ingestion of this sweet substance which is typically the only liquid found outside when temperatures plummet. Another common dangerous liquid around the holidays is Christmas tree water which may contain chemicals suitable for keeping the tree fresh, but may result in the poisoning of pets. 9. OVER-THE-COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS – These substances are ingested by pets every year resulting in serious illness and frequently death. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Aspirin, are both very toxic to cats. Ibuprofen can also be extremely toxic and may cause ulcers in a dog or cats gastrointestinal tract. Please consult your veterinarian before giving ANY medications to your pets. 10. SALTED DRIVEWAYS AND WALKS – Salt in this form can burn pets’ pads and cause significant pain and discomfort unless rinsed thoroughly. Magic Salt (www.magicsalt.info) is and excellent alternative. 11. BATTERIES – Commonly around holiday time, batteries are in abundance and may be lying loose and available for pets to play with. If chewed, their corrosive agents can cause damage to the mouth, tongue and gastrointestinal tract. 12. RODENTICIDES – Especially in the winter time, as temperatures dive in New Jersey we have an increase of rodents inside our households. At this time rodenticides are commonly placed indoors and may be available to pets. It is very important that we keep these products safely out of reach of dogs and cats as ingestion frequently results in toxicity and all too often death. I trust these tips will help to keep your pets healthy and happy this holiday season and throughout the year!
VIEWING TIMES (Be sure to check your local listings as the schedule is subject to change.)
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS WANTED We are a busy 5-doctor practice located near Morristown in the beautiful rolling hills of northwest New Jersey. Our practice won the coveted Practice of Excellence Award from Veterinary Economics magazine. Dr. Brian Voynick, our hospital Director, hosts a weekly TV show, "The Pet Stop." Our hospital is furnished with state of the are equipment including a surgical laser (in use over 10 years), flexible Endoscope, Video Otoscope, Ultrasound, Digital X-Ray and IDEXX Chemistry and CBC machines. Dr. Voynick is certified in veterinary acupuncture, we augment traditional medicine with acupuncture and herbal therapy when appropriate. Technicians at our hospital are utilized to their fullest potential, routinely performing Intravenous Catheterizations on all Surgical and Dental Patients, taking Digital Radiographs, taking Blood Pressure Readings, Exam Room Assistance, Drawing Blood Samples, Dental Prophylaxis and Procedures and Assisting in Surgery. In addition to providing a stimulating work environment, we offer competitive wages, benefits, and a great retirement plan. Send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax resume to 973-895-7599.
WARM WEATHER MAY BRING PESKY PARASITES GO TO http://www.MyVNN.com.com and watch a video with informative information on these pesky parasites.
CARING FOR YOUR CAT Many questions will be answered when viewing this informative video on feline care. Go to www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/index.shtml. VARIOUS TOPICSClick here to read our helpful documents on Pet Travel as well as see our Pet Travel Checklists. You will need Acrobat Reader to view these PDF files.
Cannine and Feline Vaccinations
TIPS FOR FINDING A LOST PET
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