The Average Day at a Vet Clinic

At a vet's office, you never know what might happen on an average day. And at Parrish Creek, we have our fair share of unexpected surprises.

Our technicians start the day off by preparing for dentals, surgeries, and appointments. They care for our Double Yellow-headed Amazon, Buckwheat, who will occasionally whistle and say, "Good morning!"

A few moments later Dr. Folland will walk in, causing Buckwheat to get really excited. Dr. Folland has raised Buckwheat since she was a baby bird, and so naturally she gets happy when her "mama" is near. Our staff are all convinced she thinks Dr. Folland is her boyfriend, but we'll leave that up to your discretion.

Our days are filled with puppies needing vaccines, clients getting educated about their birds' diets, and animals with broken bones that may need X-rays or CT scans. We never know what might happen during the day.

There have been instances when we are about to start a routine spay surgery on a cat, and receive a call that a dog has been attacked by another dog and is badly wounded. When there is an emergency like this, we drop everything and attend to the fallen victim.

One time when we were about to close for the day, we received a call that a dog had been badly injured after getting hit by a car. The dog came in with severe wounds and was struggling to breathe. There were large gashes on his leg that required stitching. The technicians and veterinarian worked hard to stabilize the dog before sending him and his owner to the emergency hospital.

On several occasions we will be experiencing a routine morning and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center comes in unexpectedly with an injured eagle. We've seen some eagles that have been shot and are suffering from lead poisoning, or others that have flown into trucks on the highway and require urgent care. Dr. Folland and Dr. Echols also helped Wildlife Rehab nurse beavers affected by an oil spill near Ogden.

We care deeply about helping animals, and when the emergency arises, we give our full attention to the sick or injured animal.

Average days at PCVC are usually not so average. Each day is a new adventure and challenge. We never know what may come our way and we love it!

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

Utah has been experiencing record-breaking temperatures this summer, with a big heat wave that has blanketed across the Western U.S. With temperatures in the 100's and not much relief from heat, it is imperative to keep your pets cool this summer.

The most important thing you should know this summer is to NEVER leave your pet in a parked car. Parked cars are at least 10 degrees hotter than the temperature outside, even with the windows down. We've unfortunately heard of dogs dying in hot cars within minutes of their owner being gone. If you are running errands and will be out of your car for more than a couple minutes, please leave your dog in your air-conditioned home.

Although there are no laws in Utah that prosecute people for leaving their animals in cars, animal control takes this action very seriously. They witness hundreds of cases each year of dogs being left in hot cars. If you happen to see a dog or any other animal in a car, please contact your local animal control.

What can you do to keep your pet cool this summer?

• Keep plenty of water available. Pets can get dehydrated quickly.
• Know the symptoms of heat stress. In dogs, the symptoms include panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, increased heart rate, restlessness, collapsing.
• Don't shave your dog or cat. Although this may seem to keep them cool, they are at risk for sunburn and overheating. Their fur is a form of protection.
• Be careful when walking your dog. Asphalt is extremely hot and can burn the pads on your dog's feet. Limit the amount of time spent on asphalt.
• Make shade available for your pet. If your pet is outside, be sure they have plenty of shade to rest in.
• Take walks, hikes and runs during the cooler hours of the day.

What to do in the case of a heat stroke:

1. Get pet out of the heat.

2. Check for shock.

3. Take temperature.

4. Spray with cool water.

5. Place water-soaked towels all over body.

6. Contact nearest veterinarian.

We hope you and your pet enjoy the rest of the summer! By following these simple guidelines, your pet will stay cool and happy until winter comes, and that's when we will have to worry about the cold. 😊

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.
   

World Pet Memorial Day

What do you remember most about your pet? The way he or she looked at you, begging for a treat? Or how about that time he or she jumped on your nice couch with dirty paws?

Let's take time today to remember all the pets that have touched our lives, whether they are alive or have passed. We all have stories about our pets, and memories that last forever.

Here is a story of remembrance:

Dr. Folland's daughter once had a cat that was constantly aware of her needs. Her name was Amber and she always knew when to cheer up his daughter. When the girl would have a bad day, Amber would be there to comfort her. She would curl up next to her and purr softly in her bed. This kitty was the ultimate teddy bear, and she didn't mind being held and stroked on the head. It didn't matter where Amber was--whether inside or out--when her name was called, she immediately found her owner. The world for Dr. Folland's daughter would not be the same if Amber wasn't by her side. Amber lived a good, long life with lots of mouse hunting and long naps in the sun. When she was close to 20, she developed kidney problems and the decision was made have her euthanized. This tore his daughter apart, but she knew it was the best option for Amber.

Spend World Pet Memorial Day reminiscing about your furry, scaled and feathered loved ones. It would be a good idea to write down your memories so you don't forget. Despite what some may say, our pets are family and big parts of our lives. They are there when we go on hikes and walks, when we are sick, have a bad day, get home from work every day and when we just need a friend.

May we always remember how special our pet are!

Yard Sale for Alzheimer's Association

We are having a yard sale for the Alzheimer's Association to raise money for their cause on June 10, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please bring cash or check, and be ready to browse the sale. A representative from the Alzheimer's Association will be available if you have any questions.

Come support a worthy cause! Alzheimer's effects millions of people, including the families of those who have the disease. Our technician, Audrey, recently had a mother who passed away from Alzheimer's. She has volunteered for the Alzheimer's Association since her mother was diagnosed. We are so proud of Audrey!

Where:
86 N 70 W Centerville
Behind the Maverick on Main

When: Saturday, June 10, 2017

Time: 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.

See you at the yard sale for the Alzheimer's Association!!

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*

Shelter Pets Need Your Love

April 30 was National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, and we at Parrish Creek want to share the importance of pet adoption.

There are thousands of pets around Utah that are in need of forever homes. While purchasing from a breeder may sound enticing, adopting a shelter pet may be the best decision you will ever make. There are so many pets willing to offer their love to you. They are often vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and potty trained. Most shelter pets have been abandoned and are in need of a loving owner. In our experience, shelter pets have made some of the most loyal companions.

Courtney, our receptionist, believes highly in pet adoption and has adopted several dogs in her lifetime.

Members of Courtney's family. L to R: Rowdy, Anna, and Walter.

"I’m a huge advocate for adopting a 'shelter pet' because of so many reasons.  The first and most important reason is because a shelter dog is as deserving of the comfort and consistency of a forever home as any new puppy that came from a breeder. A shelter pet is really just a label. And that label doesn’t describe the personality and character of the animal.  I have three dogs. Two of them were adopted from a rescue center and one from an owner release. I can’t imagine my life without my three furry kids. They add so much love and laughter to my family. The fact that they were spayed and/or neutered, housebroken and somewhat trained when we crossed paths was a perk! The shelter is a stressful environment for any dog and just one day in a shelter is too long. The sooner you can rescue a dog from any shelter especially a high kill shelter the better.  Your 'shelter dog' will thank you with lots of kisses and unconditional love. I know mine do."

As we celebrate Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, let's remember our furry friends in shelters and the love they deserve.