Fireworks Safety for Your Pets

It's that time of year again! The 4th of July is right around the corner, which means hot weather, picnics, parades, and...fireworks! In the weeks before and after this fun holiday, people are shooting off fireworks right and left. If you have a pet that suffers anxiety from loud noises, this may not be much fun for you or them. Don't worry! We have some helpful tips to share so that this year's festivities can be worry-free.

Be prepared

Make sure your pets have ID tags and are microchipped. Animals who are sensitive to loud noises may run away during fireworks. Having proper identification on your pets can help you locate them and bring them back home.

Leave your pets at home in a safe spot like their crates or in a bathroom that is secure when you go out to a party or fireworks display.

It's a good idea to have a fenced-in yard. If your pet decides to run away, it will help keep them from going too far. If you don't have a fence, it's better to leave them inside your house.

If your pet has high anxiety from fireworks, consider getting an anti-anxiety prescription from your veterinarian. We recommend Sileo.

What is Sileo?

An FDA-approved medication, Sileo treats dogs who suffer from noise aversion. If you notice your pet pacing, panting, lip licking, or shaking during firework shows, it might be a good idea to try Sileo. It calms your dog without sedating it, so your dog can be stress-free and normal.

If you are interested in Sileo for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, let us know a few days beforehand and one of our veterinarians can get you a prescription for your dog.

Be safe this July!

The Facts About Anesthesia

There's no need to be afraid of anesthesia. Although it is normal to feel a little apprehensive when the vet recommends anesthesia for a procedure or surgery on your pet, the concerns should be minimal. Modern anesthetics are very safe when administered by trained veterinarians and technicians. While there is a chance of complications, this is extremely rare.  Not only does your pet remain safe and comfortable during surgery, but comes out a better and healthier animal.

Here's how anesthesia works beginning to end:

1. Preanesthetic medication is administered

After a physical examination and preanesthetic blood profiling, a sedative is given to relax your pet. While being monitored closely by our staff, your pet will soon feel calm and relaxed after about 10 minutes.

2. IV fluids are given

An IV catheter is placed and fluids are given throughout the entire procedure. Some clinics do not include IV fluids during surgery, however, it is beneficial for your pet to be hydrated throughout the whole process. Not only does it prevent dehydration, but helps maintain blood pressure and kidney function.

3. Anesthesia starts

An intravenous medication is administered to your pet and he/she becomes fully sedated within 30 seconds.

4. During the procedure

We have trained technicians and veterinarians that monitor the anesthesia, which is maintained with a gas mixed with oxygen and can be adjusted according to your pet's needs.

5. After the procedure

You pet is never left unattended as they wake up from the anesthesia. Our technicians monitor him/her closely and make sure his/her needs are met. It usually takes about 15 minutes for your pet to come to consciousness. Pain control is important after a procedure and we make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible.

We take these important steps to ensure your pet is comfortable and stable during procedures and surgeries. If you have any questions or concerns about anesthesia or surgery, please don't hesitate to ask us.

Heartworm Prevention Month

You've probably heard of heartworms, the stringy things that embed themselves in the hearts of cats and dogs and come from infected mosquitoes. This is known as heartworm disease and it is deadly. But did you know that your cat or dog is at risk of these parasites all year round? Did you also know that heartworm disease can be prevented?

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month and the perfect time to be educated on heartworm disease and prevention.

Has your doctor ever prescribed you medication for some sort of prevention? Birth control for pregnancy? High blood pressure medication to help your heart? Like these types of prevention, heartworm protection keeps your cat or dog healthy and safe. It is something they must be on all year round. They are continually at risk for heartworm disease, as mosquitoes are everywhere and there is no way to track which ones carry the disease.

So what exactly are heartworms?

Heartworms are worms, transmitted by mosquitoes, that damage blood vessels and reduce the heart’s pumping ability in dogs and cats. It results in severe lung and heart disease. Treating heartworms once they are in the body is complicated; it requires strong drugs and/or surgery, and is expensive and a burden on the animal. Many heartworm cases end in fatality if left untreated.

How can I protect my animal?

For dogs, we give Proheart 6 injections. They are administered every six months and the company has a guarantee that should the dog get infected while on the medication, all medical expenses will be paid by them. Don't worry, there is a slim chance of your dog getting heartworms while on this medication.

For cats there are no injections available, but we usually prescribed Heartgard or Revolution to protect them against heartworms.

If your pet is not on heartworm protection, now is a good time to start. With the warm months upon us, there are more mosquitoes and more chances of getting heartworm disease. There have been multiple cases of heartworm disease in Utah and we have diagnosed cases in two dogs in the past year. 

Be prepared, get your pet protected and enjoy the upcoming nice weather!

Beware of Internet Pharmacies

When obtaining medication for your pet, you may think that since you can purchase almost anything on the internet, the same goes for medication. This is a dangerous idea! Medication can come from anywhere, even a  dark basement thousands of miles from your home. Please allow us to share the dangers of internet pharmacies.

Online pharmacies may provide a convenient and cheap way to purchase medications, but they are risky. There is no way to track where a majority of these medications come from. We have heard of instances where medications available online were developed oversees and contained harmful materials. Be advised that products not purchased through your veterinarian do not carry the manufacturer's promise to be held accountable if your pet has adverse reactions or dies by using the products. This means that all medications you purchase through your veterinarian are backed up by the manufacturer and if something happens, they take full responsibility.

According to the FDA, only 3% of internet pharmacies follow state and federal guidelines.

Most internet pharmacies:

• Are fraudulent
• Sell contaminated drugs
• Sell drugs past their expiration date
• Sell drugs that contain no active ingredients
• Sell drugs with ingredients such as arsenic and/or rat poison
• Sell drugs that contain ingredients that may interact with current medications
• Purchase drugs from counterfeiters or gray market wholesalers
• Have computer viruses
• Sell your personal and financial information to other rogue websites or internet scammers

Never purchase from an online pharmacy if they don't require a written prescription from a doctor or claim they have an onsite doctor who can write a prescription after a brief survey.

Only purchase medications if the pharmacy is a member of NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacies).

If you decide to purchase medications online, only order from a site that is VIPPS-accredited pharmacy (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites).

Honestly, the safest and surest way to get what your pet needs is to purchase medications from your veterinarian. You save yourself the hassle of finding an internet pharmacy that follows FDA guidelines and is accredited.

For more information, visit:

www.fda.gov/besaferx
www.fda.gove/buyonline
www.nabp.net

Your pets need to be prepared for an emergency

We've all heard the importance of being prepared in the event of a disaster, whether it be an earthquake or a house fire. But have you considered that your pets need to be prepared for an emergency as well?

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day was on May 13, and we thought discussing your pet's safety in an emergency would be a good way to celebrate this holiday.

There are many of us who don't realize how important it is to be prepared for a disaster and have a plan; including a plan for our beloved pets.

Here are some useful ideas for pet emergency preparedness:

Make sure your pet has proper identification. Your address, phone number, pet's name and vet's phone number are important things to have on ID tags. Having your pet microchipped is ideal.

Assemble a pet emergency kit. Include these items:

Pet food
Bottled water
Food/water dishes
Medications
Cat litter/pan/scoop
Garbage/poop bags
Manual can opener
First aid kit
Leashes/collars/harnesses
Pet carrier/cage
Blanket
Toys
Bed
Current vaccine records and medical history




Arrange shelter for your pet beforehand. Most emergency shelters do not allow pets due to public health reasons. Make a list of possible boarding facilities and shelters (some animal shelters allow temporary care in an emergency, but should be considered as a last resort) and include phone numbers and addresses. Create a list of motels and hotels that allow pets in advance. Also, find a family member or friend outside your immediate area who would be willing to foster your pet if needed.

No one can determine when a disaster may strike. Be aware of your geographical area so you may anticipate disaster and plan accordingly. If you are not safe in the event of an emergency, neither is your pet. Your pet is a family member and needs to be protected if something bad happens. Take proper precautions as we've mentioned and always BE PREPARED!









For more detailed information about pet emergency preparedness, visit these helpful sites:

Ready
Red Cross
ASPCA *this site provides important tips for birds, reptiles and small animals*