Keep Your Pet Safe on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, which means lots of food and lots of devouring of food. We want to remind you that just because you can eat certain foods, doesn't mean your pet can. Please take precaution this holiday when it comes to food, so your pet doesn't end up in the hospital.

Remember to not:

Feed your pet table scraps. Most Thanksgiving foods are high in fat and hard for animals to digest. Some foods such as raisins, grapes, and onions are poisonous to your pet. Be careful not to feed your pet pie or any other dessert, and avoid feeding yeast dough, as it can cause gas and bloating. If you would like to include your pet at the dinner table, get him/her a special, nutritious treat.

Give your dog any turkey bones. Although they seem like a nice treat, they can cause an obstruction and tear your dog's stomach.

Leave out the trash. Pets love to go through the remnants of Thanksgiving and can eat some things that can be deadly to them. Make sure to keep trash in a secure bag and closed trash can.

Allow your pet to eat decorative plants. Some plants can be toxic to pets. Keep them away from any plants or table decorations. For a list of poisonous plants to different species, click here.

We hope you and your pets have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

A Time to be Thankful

This is the time of year to be thankful for everything, especially our pets. What do you love most about your pet? Do they greet you at the door with a wet kiss after you've had a long day at work? Are they always your friend no matter what?

This year, make a list of all the things you are grateful for, especially about your pet. We'll share our thankful list with you.

What we are grateful for:

Our Clients

Our patients

The clinic

Veterinarians

Technicians

Modern medicine

Technology

Cures to diseases

Research

Animals

Animal Rescues

Everyday we are amazed at the love people have for their animals. Thank you for letting us help them!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!

We Want Your Pet's Blood

It's almost Halloween and we admit it. We are vampires and want your pet's blood. Don't worry, we will only be testing it to detect harmful diseases your pet may have and keep their health in check.

Birds

Your feathered pet needs bloodwork done annually, which can help prolong his/her life. Birds are experts at hiding disease as long as possible. They could be sick for a month before showing signs of illness. By routinely having your bird's blood checked, we can catch things before they progress. Routine bloodwork includes a complete blood cell count, chemistry panel, and triglyceride level.

Reptiles

Like birds, reptiles also can hide their symptoms of disease. By analyzing blood, we can detect disease early and give the proper treatment. Routine blood screening includes complete blood cell count and chemistry panel. Have a small reptile? No problem! We only need a small amount of blood and have been working on small reptiles for years.

Dogs

There are some diseases, such as cancer, in dogs that require blood tests. We also test their blood to check for heartworms. If you give your dog Proheart (heartworm preventative), the first two heartworm tests require your dog's blood to make sure your dog doesn't already have heartworms.
We also evaluate internal organ function allowing us to detect problems early when they are still treatable.  So, if you're asking yourself why your dog needs annual bloodwork, know that it's to prevent harmful diseases.

Cats 

Cats are similar to dogs, in that routine blood screening can detect disease before it progresses. We want your cat to have the longest, happiest life he/she can have. The next time your cat has an exam, make sure to include bloodwork.

Have a happy Halloween and if your pet has not had bloodwork done this year, make sure to set up an appointment.

10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy

Let's face it. Our pets are our babies! We would do anything for them, including keeping them healthy and happy.

Here are 10 ways to keep your pet healthy and happy:

1. Spay/Neuter
2. Good Diet
3. Exercise
4. Clean/Proper Habitat
5. Vet Visits
6. Regular Dentals
7. Vaccinations
8. Parasites Preventative
9. Avoid Harmful Foods
10. Give Attention and Love

Spay/Neuter
Despite keeping down the pet population, spaying and neutering your pet can provide health and behavior benefits. In female dogs, spaying decreases the risk of pyometra and some forms of cancer, a diseases which can be deadly. Males are usually less aggressive and spraying is minimal after being neutered.

Diet
Keeping your pet on a proper diet can help prevent health problems and maintain a good weight. We see multiple overweight animals that have major health problems, some of which can be remedied by a healthy diet. Birds especially need to be on a healthy diet, as a majority of the diseases they get are a result of eating poorly.

Exercise
Just like a healthy diet, exercise can help control weight gain and lessen the chance of getting illnesses, such as heart disease. Just 20 minutes of walking each day can keep your pet in good shape. Some breeds, such as border collies, require much more exercise to stay healthy.

Clean/Proper Habitat
Pets need to have a clean and safe place to live. It is important for cats to have clean litter boxes. Reptiles require cages large enough to be safe and comfortable. Before obtaining a pet, find out what is needed for proper housing.

Vet Visit
Seeing the vet on a regular basis keeps your pet healthy. Birds that regularly see a vet and have blood work done can help detect illness before it gets too bad. Dogs and cats require routine vaccines that protect against harmful diseases.

Regular Dentals
Cats and dogs that have routine professional teeth cleanings are less likely to get periodontal disease, which can affect more than just the teeth and mouth. It can harm the liver, heart and kidneys.

Vaccinations
By keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines, you are helping to eliminate them getting harmful diseases. It may seem like a hassle to get them vaccinated, but in the long run you are keeping them healthy and safe.

Parasites Preventative
You've probably heard us talk about heartworm preventative and how it can prevent a deadly disease. It is important for your dog to receive a heartworm preventative injection every six months. By doing this, you are lessening the chance of him/her getting heartworm disease.  It is also important to prevent internal and external parasites, which can be done along with heartworm prevention.

Avoid Harmful Foods
Admit it. You want to feed your pet table scraps. It seems so innocent, feeding them what you are putting in your mouth. However, animals require a strict diet to keep them healthy. Birds can get sick if they have too much fat in their diet. Dogs can be harmed if they ingest harmful foods such as grapes and chocolate. Be sure to speak to the vet about what is good to feed your pet.

Give Attention and Love
This is self-explanatory. Your pet loves you and deserves your love and attention. Give them plenty TLC every single day!

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.

Pet Safety for July 4th

The 4th of July is upon us, which means fireworks, picnics, summer heat and more fireworks. Make sure to take precautions for your pet during this holiday and keep them safe.

Fireworks

They are loud and stressful...for your pet. Loud sounds can cause your pet to feel anxious and frightened. They will even run away if they get too upset.

Follow these tips for firework safety:

• Keep them inside the house
• If you leave, put them in a crate or small room like a bathroom
• Prevent them from chewing on used fireworks by cleaning up the yard and street
• Have them microchipped and keep ID tags updated in case they run away
• Check into Thunder Shirt, a special shirt that can help keep them secure and calm

Cook Outs and Picnics

Remember to not feed your pet table scraps, especially meat bones and corn on the cob, as they could cause an obstruction and harm your pet. So your pet is included with the fun, have them eat their own food and treats while you eat your meal (although, they will probably spend the entire time begging, at least they are being offered their own food and not yours).

The Heat

Just remember that July is a hot month and to keep your pet comfortable and hydrated. Don't leave them in a hot car, even if it's in the shade. Keep the pads of the feet off hot cement and asphalt as much as possible or get special booties. 

Have a good time with your pet on this special holiday and be safe! 

Pet Appreciation Week

How much do you love your pet?

This week is pet appreciation week, which is the perfect time to remember how much you love your pet. How many times has he or she helped you through a hard time? Made you laugh when you're feeling blue? Given you warm, wet kisses?

We all have times when our pet knew exactly what we needed. Maybe it was the time your bird started singing Michael Jackson to cheer you up, or your puppy started chasing its tail and made you laugh when you were angry about something. Your pets can sense when something is not right and they try their best to help you in any way possible. They will always love you no matter what.

This week, remember all the fond memories about your pets. Maybe you can recall your chameleon smiling at you, even when he wasn't. Or the time your dog had a really fun adventure in the mud outside and then sprawled out on your white couch. They drive us crazy sometimes, but we absolutely love them. They are part of the family!

Take time this week and remember how much you appreciate your pets. They won't always be around and you should cherish everything about them.