Due to recent and unfortunate events in our country, we have been fielding
several calls and questions regarding anthrax in pets. Although there is
no vaccine for anthrax in pets, there is no danger of your pet contracting
anthrax. Anthrax is a type of bacteria that occurs normally in nature, as
a spore state in the soil.
Our pets don't catch anthrax because it takes such a high number of
particles of very small diameter to be infectious. Most anthrax particles
are too large to cause a problem; also when a pet contacts anthrax in the
soil, the numbers of particles inhaled are much too low to cause
disease. The same is true in humans; it takes on average 10,000 spores
inhaled at one time to cause pulmonary infection in people. People who
work in wool mills routinely inhale 500-750 spores an hour with absolutely
no ill effects.
The type of anthrax used by terrorists is highly refined in particle
size (5-7 microns) and has been converted to a powder form. Anthrax does
not occur in this concentrated small form in nature - so the chance of you,
or one of your pets contracting it, is about as likely as governor
Sundquist sending you a big tax rebate check this year :)
In light of all this anthrax scare, Dad says he has come up with a great
new tip to save money...he's not opening any more bills!
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Halloween can be a fun, but potentially traumatic and dangerous time for
our pets. I want to take this time to share my favorite Halloween safety
tips to protect our pets this season.
* Avoid leaving your pet outside on Halloween night. There are many
stories of pets being injured, teased, or stolen on Halloween.
* Trick or Treat candy is not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous due to the
theobromine content. Aluminum foil and cellophane wrappers can be
dangerous if swallowed.
* Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin - pets might knock it over and
get burned or cause a fire.
* If you do dress up your pet, make sure that the costume is not
constricting, annoying, or unsafe.
Take care not to obstruct vision ...even the sweetest dogs can get snappy
when they can't see what is going on around them.
* Keep your pets in a separate room during trick or treat visiting hours;
too many people in strange costumes can be very scary and cause your pet to
become frightened and run out of the house. Many dogs are very protective
of their territory. Don't let pets mingle with costumed Halloween visitors
who might frighten them. You take the chance that your pet might bite a
visitor as he tries to defend his territory.
* Make sure your pets always wear id tags just in case they do escape.
* Black cats are particularly susceptible to cruel pranks during
Halloween...make sure to keep them safely indoors.
While Halloween can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that
your pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous
ghosts and goblins that this holiday brings!
BI- ANNUAL EXAMS NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR OLDER PETS HEALTHY!
One year in a humans life is equal to 5-8 years in a pets life! This
means that diseases develop and advance much faster in our pets. Many of
these diseases do not produce observable symptoms, making their clinical
signs difficult to detect at home.
Here are just a few of the things that we can determine during a physical exam:
* Very subtle weight changes (especially important in cats).
* Gingivitis and dental disease....which leads to kidney failure
* Cataracts
* Lymph node enlargement (can indicate cancer)
* Thyroid enlargement (indicating hyperthyroidism)
* Early skin changes in Cushings disease
* Abdominal organ enlargement/ abdominal masses
* Heart murmurs and other heart irregularities
* Abnormal lung sounds
* Condition of ear canals and drums
* Abnormal joints/arthritis
* *Yearly blood testing should be done on pets over 7 to rule out early
organ disease.
Prevention and early improvement in health are much less costly and
ultimately more effective than waiting until an animal is obviously
ill. Frequent well pet examinations are one of the most important things
owners can do for their pets.
COOL SITE OF THE MONTH:
Type in your pets' name and find its original meaning. Also lists the top
20 dog and cat names.
