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!

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah

We've worked with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU) for years and are always amazed every day at all the wonderful work they do for wild animals. They have saved countless lives throughout the years and released animals back into the wild and proper habitats. The community is lucky to have such a great organization that cares so deeply about the lives of animals.

Over the years we've helped WRCNU with many wild birds and other wildlife, but two instances stand out in our minds.

The Beavers and the Fuel Spill

A few years ago, there was a diesel fuel spill near Willard Bay that affected a whole family of beavers. They were brought to us by WRCNU, and not only was their fur and eyes damaged by the fuel, but they had ingested the fuel as well. We knew this because we could smell the fuel in their urine/feces for days after they arrived at WRCNU. It took months to treat them, until finally the whole family was cleared to go back to their habitat. If it hadn't been for WRCNU and their constant care and dedication, those beavers would've suffered or even died. In fact, we thought we would lose some, if not all of these precious animals.

Moving beavers to release location in the Uintahs

One beaver after release

One beaver eating a carrot after he was healed

Dr. Folland taking a blood sample from tail of one of the beavers

Beaver in the back of DWR after arriving at WRCNU

Phoenix the Golden Eagle

Photo by Kent Keller

This story is tear-jerking and completely amazing. Phoenix was only a baby when a terrible wildfire hit part of Utah in 2012. He was found on July 4 among the ashes, feathers and feet burned and separated from his parents. We knew the parents had been there because prey had been found next to him at the bottom of the cliff, where the nest had once been. It was estimated he had spent 10 days with third degree burns before being found! WRCNU obtained him and brought him to us for treatment. It was heartbreaking knowing he had been burned and alone, with no water and only a little bit of food before being discovered. He was in bad shape to say the least. We were unsure of what might happen to him. Things would look up, but then there would be issues with treatment. Somehow he pulled through. He then developed West Nile Virus on September 11, 2015 and survived that as well. With each event he managed to stay alive, along with the help of PCVC and WRCNU. Unfortunately, Phoenix never did make it back into the wild, but he is alive and currently under the care of WRCNU. He is definitely a miracle bird and wears the name, Phoenix, proudly!

July 4 rescue day. Look closely. There is a ground squirrel in the lower right corner and some hindquarter under him (likely a jack rabbit). Photo credit: Kent Keller

2017 photo of Phoenix. 

Photo credit: Kent Keller

Not every case has a happy ending, but most of them do. We thank WRCNU for all their time and sacrifice to help these animals and get them back into the wild (where they should be).

For more information about WRCNU or to donate, please click the links.

Feeding Your Bird

Making the decision to adopt or purchase a bird can be an overwhelming and exciting decision. And one of the first things you should consider is what to feed your bird.

As a veterinary practice, we witness many health problems in birds that could be avoided if they only had a proper diet. In fact, malnutrition is one of the most common problems we witness in birds. We educate our clients on a daily basis about the importance of a proper diet. Your bird may enjoy table food, and you may get satisfaction from this, but in the long run you are creating future health issues for your feathered friend.

Birds in the wild eat a high caloric diet that includes food such as fruit, nuts and seeds, but they also burn thousands of calories a day flying. On the other hand, birds in captivity spend a majority of their time in their cages and rarely fly. They require a diet that is lower in fat and gives the proper amount of calories.  Additionally, it is nearly impossible to mimic the native diet using the foods available to us.

Birds don't instinctively know what to eat in order to have good nutrition. Most birds, given the choice will not pick a good diet. They usually eat what tastes best, which typically ends up being something high in fat and bad for their health. They're similar to humans; we often will choose a donut over carrots to get immediate satisfaction. You must train your bird to eat a healthful diet.

We witness many clients with new birds that are on a strictly seed diet. This is something we discourage. We highly recommend feeding birds a diet that consists of mainly pellets, and then a smaller percentage of grains, fruits, and veggies.

Here is a breakdown:

Smaller birds--cockatiels, love birds, parrotlets, parakeets, budgies, etc.
50% of diet should be pellets
30-40% of diet should be grains
10% of diet should be fruits and veggies

Larger birds--macaws, cockatoos, amazons, etc.
50-75% of diet should be pellets
10-20% of diet should be grains
20-30% of diet should be fruits and veggies

Dr. Folland's Double yellow-headed Amazon eats a diet of Lafeber Nutri-Berries and Harrison's bird pellets.

Good foods for birds:

Grains--spelt, oat groats, barley, steel cut oats, wheatberry, buckwheat, millet, flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed

Veggies--jalepeno peppers, bell peppers, banana peppers, Serrano peppers, yams, sweet potatoes, broccoli, squash, zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, bean sprouts, snow peas, snap peas, kale, collard or mustard greens, turnip greens, chard, endive, dill parsley, basil, chives, cilantro.

Fruits--blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, kiwi, pomegranate, persimmons, mango, lychee, cactus fruit, passion fruit

Foods NOT recommended for birds:

• Flour based foods (bread, tortillas, cookies, crackers, etc.)
• Fried foods, animal meats, chicken bones, dairy products
• Foods sweetened with natural or artificial sweeteners
• Dried fruits, fruit juice, grapes, bananas, citrus fruits
• Nuts, raw beans, and any type of spinach

Foraging is very important for a bird's behavioral and physical health. Whenever possible, find creative ways to help your bird forage. There are foraging kits available to aid in hiding food from your bird.

Tips for switching from seeds to pellets (and other healthful foods)

*We recommend when changing your bird's diet that you consult with one of our avian veterinarians prior to making the change. An abrupt change in diet can lead to emaciation in death in some birds. Be sure to monitor droppings and weigh your bird frequently.*

• Eat healthful foods in front of your bird and then offer the food as you eat. Start adding new foods to the old diet
• Diminish old diet by giving 50% old diet and 50% new diet; then reduce
• Use hunt and peck method by placing new food on a hard surface and picking it up and dropping it, so that your bird will start investigating
• Use bounce, hunt, and peck method by placing food on a hard surface and tap the surface so that food bounces up and down. The "peck drive" helps them try out the new food. 

We want both you and your bird to be happy and healthy! And a good diet is the perfect place to start. Feeding your bird the best diet possible is what we strive for!

For more extensive information about your bird's well-being and diet, schedule a visit with one of our avian veterinarians.
   

Get the Right Dog for You!

Have you ever passed someone on the street with their dog and instantly become dog hungry? The cure is simple. Go get yourself a dog! But then you wonder, where do I start and what type of dog should I get?

People searching for a dog often make the mistake of purchasing/adopting the wrong breed for their lifestyles. We’ve often encountered clients who obtained a dog and then realized they can’t give it what it needs.

There was a client who adopted a Border Collie and had the best intentions, but lived in a small apartment and was absent from home a majority of the day. The dog spent most of its time in a kennel—which is not ideal for Border Collies, who require several miles of exercise every day. Eventually the owner had to find another person to take care of the dog.

You can avoid mistakes like this simply by doing your research. There are several things to consider when bringing a new family member into your home.

Is the breed good with children?

Some breeds of dog are not suitable for young children. If you have children, don’t pick a breed that may possibly bite them. Chow chows are one example of dogs who don't work well with children.

Health problems

Certain breeds of dogs are susceptible to different types of illnesses. For example, Pugs tend to have respiratory issues, while Standard Poodles are prone to ear infections.

Exercise demands

Some larger dogs, such as Australian Shepherds, require exercise every day. If you work outside the home and don’t have time for much exercise each day, a small breed of dog would be perfect for your situation.

Are living areas (apartments, homes, townhomes) suitable for the specific breed?

Some apartment complexes have different guidelines for dogs living in the apartments. Make sure you know what your landlord requires before obtaining a dog.  

Work schedule

Some dogs require more time than others. Make sure if you work that your dog’s needs are met.

Arranging boarding when out of town

Dogs still need attention when you go on vacation. Arrange proper boarding before you leave. This can be with a pet sitter or friend, or a professional boarding facility.

Costs of food

Dogs need to eat. Add dog food and treats to your budget.

Veterinary care

We recommend when you first get your dog that you set aside money or an account for veterinary expenses. It is likely your dog will get sick and need to visit the vet sometime in its life. Dogs also require maintenance services (vaccines, heartworm protection, grooming, etc.). It’s good to be prepared.

Who will be primary care taker?

Are children taking care of the dog? If so, parents still need to supervise them so that the dog’s needs are met. Sometimes in large family homes, the dog gets ignored.

Other pets in house

Some dogs get along with cats and birds—some don’t. If you have other pets and want to bring a dog home, consider the living space. Ask yourself, if I bring a new dog into the home, do I have enough space to keep my pets separated and happy?

Shelters or breeders

Shelters are a wonderful place to give a dog a forever home. Most dogs in shelters are adults and potty trained already. In our experience, they make great pets! Some people may choose to get their dog from a breeder. It’s good to make sure the breeder is legitimate before purchasing a puppy. Please avoid puppy mills at all costs! Puppy mills have terrible living conditions for dogs and puppies.

Puppy or adult

Some people want to raise a puppy and others prefer an adult dog. Either choice is rewarding, but make sure you’re prepared for whatever you decide. Puppies require lots of time and patience.

New dogs are always a fun experience! Being prepared before choosing your family member is in your best interest and will make the journey much better! And as always, staff at Parrish Creek are available for your questions.

Visit the AVMA website for more detailed information.

Important Info About Rabies Vaccine

The rabies vaccination is a necessary part of a pet's well-being and prevents a harmful (usually fatal) disease. Pets should receive it year round without a break. It does not matter if the dog or cat is an indoor or outdoor pet—they need to have a rabies vaccination. By keeping your pet current on its rabies vaccine, you are keeping other pets and humans safe.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease transferred through saliva (usually through a bite) that affects the nervous system. Once outside signs of the disease (such as foaming at the mouth) are apparent, the result is usually fatal. Most cases of rabies are found in wild animals such as raccoons or bats. In recent years, cats are the most common domesticated animal to be infected with rabies, because some cat owners allow their cats to roam outside and do not vaccinate for rabies. Cats are often exposed to wild animals that carry the disease, which can be transferred to other animals or humans.

We cannot stress how important it is to have your pet vaccinated for rabies. Several years ago, we had a devastating case that continually reminds us to educate our clients about vaccinations.

We once received a call from a woman whose cat had caught a bat while spending time outside. The cat had partially eaten the bat as well. Our manager asked the owner if her cat was current on rabies, to which she replied no, the cat had never received the rabies vaccine. Animal control was then contacted, and the news was devastating. The bat had rabies and since the cat had bitten it, there was a high probability the sweet kitty had contracted rabies as well.

Animal control told us the cat would need to be euthanized. This was not what we wanted to hear, but for everyone’s safety, this was the only solution. Had the cat been current on its rabies vaccination, the ending to this story would have been much different.

We ask that you please keep your pet current on its rabies vaccination. Not only will it save your loved one from a similar situation as the one discussed, but it will protect other animals and people. It is a liability if your pet bites another animal or person and does not have the rabies vaccine.

Animal control has specific guidelines when handling animal bites. One of the first questions animal control asks when an animal has bitten another animal or human being is whether or not the rabies vaccination of the animal is current. It is in your best interest to have your pet vaccinated.

If you have any questions about the rabies vaccine, please speak with our veterinarians or members of our staff.

What About Bob?

Dear Diary,

March 2, 2017

There’s this girl. As I sit here hanging on a small branch, all I can think about is her glowing face. Her sleek, emerald body with white speckles and blue belly makes me think about one day creating younglings with this attractive being. My days are spent dreaming of her, as people pass by my domain, thinking I am dead. But alas, I am merely just sleeping. This lady and I deserve to be together. Twice a month we are fed the same dinner, but in separate quarters. We have always been apart—except that one time—she joined me for a cozy movie night. What did we watch? Rat Feeding: the Man Who Comes at Night, of course. Now, we are miles apart and my eyes glaze over just thinking about her. This has not always been the case.

Long ago, I had a strange love affair. My master introduced me to this peculiar girl, and I thought she was to be the love of my life. But she despised me. Every time I came out of my habitat, she screamed and ran underneath a nearby desk. I wanted to wrap myself around her arm, but she stayed at least 100 feet away from me. My master did everything he could to lure this girl into my warm embrace, but she refused. I gave up.

This new girl (her name is Fern), is the apple of my eye. The piece to my puzzle. My life will be complete when she comes back to me. For now, I must remain in my habitat where people watch me and think I’m plastic. Trust me, I am not plastic. I am REAL…and in love! My name is Bob and this is my love story.  

The lovely Fern

Bob the snake

It's National Love Your Pet Day! Spread the Love!

In honor of "Love Your Pet Day," Parrish Creek wants to share with you why we love our pets. Animals are our passion both at work and home. Most of us began caring for our own pets before we realized we wanted to make it into a career. Dr. Folland knew he wanted to be a veterinarian after nurturing his first pet--a Dalmatian named Duke. Our office manager, Debbie, bred birds for years and developed an intense love for the Avian species.

In our own words, here's why we love our pets:

Dr. Folland

"This was my first dog, Duke.  He was a handsome Dalmatian who received comments everywhere he went.  When he was one-year-old, he stepped on a piece of glass and severely cut the tendons in his paw.  After two surgeries and numerous visits to the veterinarian, he healed completely.  On our final visit to the vet, Dr. Coulter offered me a job to work at his office.  I consider that opportunity my 'start' in veterinary medicine, which 45 years later, I have found to be a most interesting and rewarding career."

Dr. Stearns

"There were so many reasons to love my wonderful dog, Guy, but I think my favorite trait of all was his unabashed love of people. He never met a person he didn’t immediately love and want to snuggle with. If you let him, he’d try to fit his whole 90 pound body in your lap, otherwise he’d settle for just laying his head in your lap & taking whatever attention you’d be willing to send his way. He’d greet whoever came to the door – not always politely but always with the best of intentions.  His smile was readily available to brighten your day, and his fur was thick enough to absorb any number of tears. I will miss you always, my handsome man!"

Debbie

Zippy

"Zippy is an 18-year-old female yellow-naped Amazon.  She is the first yellow-naped baby I raised from Zachary and Sunny.  She is very social and loves to play little vocal games with people when they come to visit.  She is a very fluent talker like her father, but has a terrible singing voice.  She was learning to sing opera from my sweet little Scooter, but unfortunately Scooter passed away over two years ago.  It's obvious her lessons were cut short since she sings completely off key.  In fact listening to her sing can be quite a painful experience to one's ears.  Nevertheless, she is quite entertaining as has a sweet disposition like her mama.  I love her very much!"

Christine

"I love all of my animals in their own way. My love for each of them are all different and unique. From the love, affection and comfort my cat, Bonita, shows me; to the excitement my chinchilla, Mort; chameleon, Petrie; and sand boa, Krillin, show when I approach their cages. My tarantulas Katara and Nefertiti, and my fresh water fish don't show the same affection, but they are all my children and I can't see myself without each of them."

Jenny

"Apache is a 10-year-old Pomeranian. She's my spunky little girl, runs the household, and gives the best cuddles." 

"Feda is a 2-year-old German Shepherd. She is the worst guard dog ever, a sweet girl, full of energy, and probably the world's pickiest eater."

Audrey

"All of my ferrets were special and unique.  They provided my husband, Andy, and me more love and joy in the short time they were with us than most people have all their lives.  Every day I think of them and remember the cute little quirks they had.  I miss all of them with all my heart."

In loving memory of Satchmo, Casey, Roscoe, Isabella, Ben, Matilda, Stanley, Edgar, Abner and Ralphie.

Ashlee

"This is Burley and Dakota. Burley is a 3-year-old Pomeranian that I rescued from a puppy mill at 5 weeks, and Dakota is a 1-year-old Border Collie mix that came to us from the Human Society. They do everything together, go outside, eat, sleep, and play--you will rarely find them apart. They both have their own fun personalities and that's what makes them so loveable! I don't' know what my family would do if we didn't get to come home to their sweet faces every night!"

Dean

"Tiki, our Yorkie, came to us through a friend four years ago, with an unknown history and a lot of issues.  She immediately bonded with my wife, Debbie, and the two are still inseparable.  We're probably Tiki's third or fourth home, but she's happily settled into her forever family!"

Tiki



"Tinkerbell was Parrish Creek's clinic cat when I started working here 12 years ago, and she and I hit it off from day one.  I adopted her and she immediately took over the house, and has even managed to convert more than one self-proclaimed 'cat hater'!"

Tinkerbell

WE LOVE OUR PETS!!

Heartworm Protection all Year

A question we often get from our clients is whether or not their cat or dog should be on heartworm protection year round. The answer to this question is a big YES!

Let us tell you a little bit about heartworm first.

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 difficult on the animal. Most heartworm cases end in fatality.

Heartworms being extracted from a heart

Signs of heartworm disease in dogs:

In the early stages of the disease, dogs often don’t exhibit significant symptoms. As the disease progresses; dogs may have persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss.

Signs of heartworm disease in cats:

Cats tend to show signs of disease that are mild or extreme. Symptoms include coughing, some vomiting, lack of appetite, or weight loss. In some cases, a cat may collapse without warning.

Prevention

At Parrish Creek, we take heartworm prevention seriously. We recommend pets be on heartworm and intestinal parasites medication all year, without a break. But Utah is a dry climate and there are no mosquitoes or parasites during the cold winter months. This is FALSE! According to data collected by the American Heartworm Society, Utah does in fact see heartworm cases every year. Even strictly indoor pets are at risk—they eventually will go outside sometime in their lives, and mosquitoes can also live indoors.

Here’s the issue with limiting your pet to heartworm protection only during warm months:

How are we to gage which months your pet should be on or off the heartworm protection? The weather this February is a perfect example. In many places throughout Utah, temperatures have been in the 50’s, and even 60’s. We have seen many pets outside during this warm spell. If say, your dog had gone off its heartworm protection back in November, and is still off that protection and went outside to play yesterday, who’s to say he or she has not been affected? Mosquitoes love warmth and water.

For safety sake and complete protecion, we highly recommend your pet stay on heartworm protection 365 days a year.

Proheart 6 is the ideal heartworm prevention in dogs, and we recommend this over monthly pills (however, in some cases, we will still prescribe them). Given every six months, Proheart 6 is an injection that requires little effort on your part, and provides continual protection from heartworm and intestinal parasites. A blood test is required for the first two injections, and if this program is followed, the manufacturer will cover all costs for diagnosis and treatment should your dog become infected.

For cats, there is no injection option available, so our veterinarians will prescribe monthly pills such as Heartgard or Revolution.

We sincerely want the best for your pets, and this means protecting them. Please feel free to ask our veterinarians or technicians if you have any concerns or questions about heartworm prevention.