Your Snake's Habitat

So, you have a new snake? Did you know that one of the most important things for a healthy snake is a proper habitat?

We often encounter snakes that come in with health concerns (burns, respiratory issues, difficulty with shedding, etc.) that are related to their housing. Snakes are wonderful animals, but realize that they have specific needs to be healthy and happy. By providing your snake with the best care you possibly can, you will have one grateful reptile!

Cage

It is important to obtain a cage that is the correct size for your snake. The dimensions are as follows:

Length=snake's body length
Width=half the snake's length

Temperature

One issue that causes health problems and can be easily remedied is the temperature of your snake's cage. The temperature varies depending on the type of snake you have. Here are the correct temperatures for the most common snakes:

Ball Python

Ball Python
Basking spot: 83-85℉
Cool end: 80℉





Corn Snakes
Basking area: 88-90℉
Cool end: 72-80℉

Corn Snake

Dumeril's Boa

Boas
Basking area: 85-90℉
Cool end: 80℉

*Some species of boa, such as the Dumeril's boas, should not be exposed to temperatures above 85℉. The Kenyan sand boa needs a basking area of 95℉*
Ask one of veterinarians about the temperature needs of your specific snake.

Humidity

Ball Python
Enclosure should be 60-70%                                        

Humidity Box

Corn Snakes
Enclosure should be 30-40%

Boas
Enclosure should be 60-70%
*Some species vary*

To keep enclosure humid:

• Mist cage (not animal) 1-2 times a day
• Provide humidity box
• Repti-Fogger with humidity controller

These are just a few of the requirements to get you started. We recommend visiting one of our exotic veterinarians for more tips. They are more than happy to provide you with the most current and accurate information about snakes and answer your questions.

The Loving A.R.M.S. Fund

If you've been to our clinic before, you may have seen this jar sitting at the front desk. The Loving A.R.M.S. (Animals Requiring Medical Services) Fund was started by PCVC to aid animals and their owners, who do not have significant funds to pay for veterinary expenses, and give them a second chance at life.

Throughout the lifetime of our fund we have helped a kitten who was seriously burned, saved an egg-bound snake, and provided emergency surgeries to pets who may not have survived without the fund.

All donations for our fund come from our generous clients. Our hope is that every animal can have a long, healthy life. However, sometimes unexpected events occur, and pets become injured or sick. If their owners are unable to afford the medical expenses, there may be no other option but to have the pets euthanized.

Due to the costs associated with veterinary care, we depend on our fund to help those animals and their owners who do not have the financial means to pay for services (surgeries, treatments, medications, etc.). The more money we receive for our fund, the more animals we can give second chances.

We accept cash and cards. Cash can go right into the jar on our desk. If you would like to leave a donation with your credit card, just tell one of our receptionists that you'd like to make a donation to The Loving A.R.M.S. Fund.

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

Confessions of a teenage canine

Dear Master,

There is something important I need to tell you. That wet spot on your rug was not lemonade. I know there was a half empty pitcher of lemony goodness beside the small piece of carpet, but the fact is...I placed it there on purpose. When you left for the day, I snuck into the living room and lifted my leg about 90 degrees and...Well, I needed to cover up my crime so I opened the fridge, grabbed the pitcher, and staged my dirty deed.

I have some other confessions to make, and I might as well tell you them in this letter. Remember when there was a hole in your underwear and you thought it must have happened when you sat down too fast at your business meeting? It was me. All me and my thirsty teeth. I couldn't resist the opportunity to smell your undies as they were strewn about on your bedroom floor. Once I smelled them, it was all over--my teeth pierced the white fabric. Please forgive me.

Yesterday, I saw you examining a large hole in the backyard. When I heard you tell my mistress that you thought the neighborhood kid had been digging in the dirt with his shovel, I knew I was safe. But I felt guilty, like I always do (hence the letter I'm writing right now).

I have yet another confession. There was a fresh, hot pizza straight out of the oven sitting on the counter last weekend. It smelled so incredibly delicious. I paced back and forth in the kitchen, waiting for my mistress to leave. It was torture having to smell such a wonderful scent and not be able to sink my teeth into it. To my delight, the doorbell rang. My mistress hurried to answer the door. I waited a minute to hear who was at the door. Yes! It was Chatty Cathy. I knew they would be talking for hours. After double checking my ears that it was indeed Chatty Cathy, I quietly placed my paws on the counter and took a bite of the pizza. Ahhhhh! This tastes like something the gods would eat. I took a few more bites, and within minutes I had devoured the whole cheesy pie. I knew I was in trouble, so I ran through the doggy door and placed myself in my kennel and waited. But guess what happened? There was another pizza in the oven that looked like the same one I ate and my mistress' children took it out and placed it on the cooling rack while she was chatting it up with Cathy. After Cathy left, no one even noticed the missing pizza. In fact, there were five other pizzas besides the one I ate. They were fine without it. But I still feel a little bad.

So there you have it. I'm sorry, master. But I love you and will always greet you with a wagging tail and wet kisses when you come home from a hard day's work.

Sincerely,

Your Pup

Reptile Rescue--Sarah Southerland

You may have heard of cat and dog rescues, but it's not very often you encounter a reptile rescue. Sarah Southerland has been coming to our clinic for several years, bringing in neglected and sick reptiles from all over Utah. She chose reptiles because members of her family are allergic to feathers and furs. In December of 2012, she rescued her first bearded dragon, and has rescued over 200 reptiles since then.

Sarah has made a name for herself. People from all over the world contact her with questions about their reptiles, and she has befriended many reptile lovers that share her passion. Reptiles often are misunderstood by people, and reptile rescues aren't nearly as popular as dog and cat rescues, but Sarah hopes to change this mentality. Like dogs and cats, reptiles have personalities and are just as cute and cuddly.

Throughout Sarah's rescuing, she has encountered a lot of heartbreaking cases. Often the owner of the reptile waits to seek help until it's too late. The hardest part of rescuing for Sarah is when the reptile is past the point of healing and all she can do is hold and keep it warm until it passes away.

There are happy endings to Sarah's rescues. Her most rewarding experiences are when the reptiles are half dead and unexpected to live, but receive help and are healthy enough again to be adopted out. Below are before and after photos of Noel, a bearded dragon, who got a second chance at life.

How Sarah's rescue operates:

She learns about the sick reptile from friends or online ads, where she is tagged in a post or forwarded a link. Often she tries to get the animal surrendered to her, and will even pay to have this done. Once she has the reptile, she assesses the situation and determines what needs to be done for it to survive, whether it's a bath and cleaning or saline injection. For more complicated cases, Sarah pays a visit to our clinic. Once the rescued reptiles are healthy again, she adopts them out to safe homes.

How to help:

There are opportunities to help Sarah out with her rescue. She is always looking for foster homes to house bearded dragons and accepts donated reptile supplies (tanks, light fixtures, hides, etc.). Monetary donations can also be made directly to her PayPal account, and she also sells cute costumes, blankets, and supplies through her Etsy site to raise funds. Check out her blog and website as well.

Sarah's bit of advice:

Always do your research BEFORE buying/adopting any animal, but especially a reptile. Educate yourself about diet, husbandry, and diseases. ADOPT, don't shop. As always, exotic vet clinics are a great resource!!

Direct link to Sarah's blog

 

Remember to Vaccinate!

Often we hear our clients voice they only want their dog to receive the rabies vaccine. This is indeed important, but there are other vaccines that are just as crucial for your dog to remain healthy. We want to take a moment and explain to you why your dog needs vaccines. There have been constant debates about the importance of having your dogs vaccinated, and we want to set the record straight. What we are sharing with you has been backed up by multiple scientific trials and studies.

First of all, please vaccinate your puppy at six weeks and after. Puppies that are young and nursing receive immunity from their mother. When vaccines are given before six weeks, the puppy is often still nursing, and the mother's milk reacts with the vaccines, causing them to be ineffective.

What we recommend for your dog/puppy:
Bordetella
Rabies
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Leptospirosis

Bordetella (Canine Tracheobronchitis)

Bordetella is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory system. Often nicknamed "kennel cough," Bordetella is a bacteria that causes inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and coughing. Left untreated, it can cause even more damage to the dog. The name, kennel cough, can be misleading however. While places like boarding facilities and shelters are common places to find Bordetella, affected dogs that come in contact with healthy dogs outside or at the vet can transfer the disease. At our clinic, we take Bordetella cases seriously. If we are aware of an infected dog coming in for an appointment, we take precautions to keep other dogs safe. We immediately take them to an exam room and after its appointment, we disinfect everything--the floor, scale, exam room, etc. Yes, it is that contagious. Please get this vaccine for your dog!  

Why DHPP and Leptospirosis?
Most people are more familiar with Rabies and Bordetella vaccines than DHPP and Lepto. For a healthy dog, we recommend receiving all vaccinations.

Let's break each disease down so you can understand their importance.

Canine Distemper

This disease attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems in dogs and puppies. It is also found in wild animals. Dogs pass this contagious disease to other dogs by airbourne exposure. All dogs are at risk, but puppies younger than four months and unvaccinated dogs are more susceptible to the disease. The best way to help prevent this is vaccinate.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and in this case refers to a specific type of liver disease caused by an adenovirus.  It contagious from dog to dog and is often times fatal.

Parvovirus (Parvo)

This is a highly contagious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tracts. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months have the highest risk. Although there is no drug that kills Parvo, immediate treatment can help the dog's immunity fight the illness. We have to be extremely careful with puppies that have Parvo because their immune system may not be mature enough to fight off infection.

Parainfluenza

This virus is highly contagious and is one of the many causes of the disease "kennel cough" or tracheobronchitis.  It along with Bordetella can cause cold-like symptoms including a harsh dry cough.  Occasionally, it can progress to pneumonia.

Leptospirosis

Leptospira is a bacteria commonly found in lakes, marshes, and streams.  When it infects dogs it often causes, among other things, kidney failure.  It is particularly concerning because it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed to humans, causing similar serious disease.  Vaccination of your dog is important to protect you as well a your pet.

If you have any questions about vaccinations and their importance, please feel free to speak with any of our staff or veterinarians. Comments or questions can also be posted on our Facebook page.

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!