Dog Bite Prevention

Dog bites are a serious health concern and should not be taken lightly. There are a variety of reasons  why a dog may bite. Even dogs that are well-trained and have never bitten anyone can still bite if caught off-guard. One example:

A little girl startled a well-behaved dog while it was eating its food and it immediately latched onto her face. The dog had never had a history of biting, but because it had one moment of surprise, it bit and sent the girl to the hospital to get stitches.

We shouldn't underestimate dogs and their instincts. Dogs are animals and they will bite in certain situations.

Why do dogs bite?

There are a few different reasons why a dog may bite, and it doesn’t always mean that they are an “aggressive dog”. Evaluate your dog’s biting behaviors. Is it present prominently during play? Or is it in certain situations, i.e. greetings from adults or children, or at the groomer or veterinary clinic? A dog may bite as to say, “Leave me alone I don’t want to be bothered.” A dog can bite because they’re in pain. Or simply put, a dog can bite because they haven’t been taught manners. If nipping/biting is only present during play, then a great way to teach him to not bite is to redirect his attention on to something  he can place his mouth on like a rope toy, ball etc. In other circumstances be aware of your dog’s warning signs of any discomfort or uneasiness. Some signs include lip raising, baring teeth, growling, and snapping at the air. Their body language may include a tucked tail, ears back and possibly cowering and trying to flee the scene. Set your dog up for success. Diffuse the uneasiness by moving forward slowly by making your dog more comfortable through space or distance from any triggers. Redirect his attention on to his favorite toy or treat. Be on the lookout for any calm reactions and praise and reward heavily. Be patient while teaching your dog that biting is an unfavorable behavior. Punishing or berating a dog who bites will only make things worse. Always approach it in a positive and force free manner.

How to prevent dog bites

• Educate yourself on how to approach dogs
• Socialize your dog with other people and animals
• Be a responsible dog owner
• Avoid situations where a dog could potentially bite you
• Notice a dog's body language

Being aware that dogs are animals and could potentially bite can help you be more cautious around them. Educate yourself and try to avoid situations where you or someone else could get bit.

5 Tips for Making Your Pet Comfortable at the Vet

The veterinary clinic can sometimes seem like a scary place for your pet, especially if he or she has never experienced it before. It can also be stressful to make the trip for an appointment. But don't worry! There are ways to help your pet get accustomed to visiting the vet so that both of you can leave feeling satisfied.

Tip #1: Take your pet to the clinic multiple times before doing any exams or shots. Let him/her walk around and smell everything. It's important for your pet to get to know the staff on a non-invasive basis. Allow them to pet and dote over your loved one. Treats are a great way for him/her to associate the clinic with something good and positive. The staff will always have treats and are more than happy to give one (or two) to your pet. Then when you return for an actual visit, your pet will feel at home!

Tip #2: Prepare your cat for the car ride and vet visit. It's a known fact. Cats do not like cars, let alone the vet. But, there are ways to help them get comfortable with the idea. One thing that is important is get them used to the carrier. Leave it out somewhere in your house with treats inside and allow them to sniff and walk in and out several times. They will still likely hate the car, but at least they are familiar with and are safe in their crate. Again, try going to the vet a few times to get them familiar with a new surrounding.

Tip #3: If you stay calm, they'll stay calm (for the most part). Sometimes our clients can be just as anxious as their pets. It can be stressful to watch your baby being handled and given shots. However, it does not help him/her to see you just as fearful. To him/her, you are his/her protector and parent. If he/she sees you upset, this intensifies what he/she is already feeling. Try your best to be calm and do exactly what the vet tech and veterinarian tell you to do. They are trained professionals and do this on a daily basis.

Tip #4: Bring treats...lots and lots of treats. Who says you can't bribe your pet? Rewarding your pet for good behavior at the vet is encouraged. Also, allowing the vet and vet techs to give treats to your pet shows him/her that they can be trusted (at least a little).

Tip #5: Play with or take your pet on a walk before appointment. This will cut down on nervousness and get some of his/her energy out. It will also help prevent accidents at the vet.

Follow these simple tips and you have a greater chance of having a successful vet visit!

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.

Technicians are the Lifeblood of a Vet Clinic

Being a technician is not only about playing with puppies and kittens. What an average person may not realize is that every one of our technicians performs duties that take at least 15 people in the human world to complete.

To your pet they are a...

1.      Nurse

2.      Nurse aid

3.      Lab technician

4.      Dental hygienist

5.      Surgical technician

6.      Anesthesia technician

7.      Pain management technician

8.      Pharmacy technician

9.      Rehabilitation therapist

10.  Orderly

11.  Administrative assistant

12.  Counselor

13.  Radiology technician

14.  Phlebotomist

15.  Housekeeper

*And they learn how to do all these positions in only two years of schooling and constant on-the-job training.

Veterinary technicians are a rare breed. It is not the money that keeps them coming back to work every day, as they make just over minimum wage, but their passion and love for animals. As Audrey, one of our technicians, puts it:

“My job is not about pride and getting the blood or the catheter in, it is about being gentle and understanding to a scared animal that doesn't know what is going on and doesn't feel well.”

Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic is fortunate to have some of the greatest technicians in the world (we are not biased). We specialize in exotics as well as dogs and cats, so our technicians have undergone rigorous training and education. Every day they work hard drawing blood from reptiles, performing dentals on cats and dogs (and ferrets), educating our clients, assisting in surgeries, comforting grieving owners, restraining birds, snapping x-rays of rabbits, analyzing lab work, filling prescriptions—the list goes on and on.

Allow us to introduce our wonderful technicians:

Crystal is our lead technician and has been with PCVC since 1997. She loves exotics, and is in the process of becoming a specialized exotics technician. Her interest in veterinary medicine began when she was teenager, and although she wanted to be a veterinarian at first, she realized she was more interested in being a technician. She has been in the field for 22 years. For her, the best part of her job is interacting with animals and helping them get back to health.

Audrey is a certified veterinary technician from Chicago and has been has a technician for 17 years, and certified for 12 of those years. Her love for exotics, especially ferrets, has made her job interesting and enjoyable. Ferrets are her absolute favorite animal. She even contemplated working in ferret research to help find cures for their diseases. Every day Audrey hopes that she can make a difference in the lives of our patients and clients, as well as learn something new.

Jen has been a technician for almost four years. Her sweet demeanor and patience with our clients and patients has made her a valuable part of our clinic. She loves working with so many different types of animals and learning something new every day. When she was younger, she always wanted to be a marine biologist and work with dolphins, but didn’t pursue it because of her fear of water. She knew, however, she wanted to work with various species of animals and pursued a career as a veterinary technician.

Dean is another one of our technicians who has a passion for snakes. If you bring in a snake, just know that Dean will be there to help. He graduated from the veterinary technician program at Utah Career College (now Broadview University).

Christine is the newest addition to the PCVC team and is being trained in exotics. We are excited to have her at our hospital.

A vet tech’s job is draining physically, mentally and emotionally. Our techs work long hours and are always paying attention to detail. If there were no vet techs, the veterinary world would be a dreadful place. We are extremely grateful for the technician staff at PCVC. They keep our clinic alive and running. Thank you!