Buying from Internet Pharmacies

If you are considering having your pet's prescriptions filled by internet pharmacies, please read the following important information provided by the FDA. See the website at: www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/buyOnlineGuide_text.htm. The rules that apply to you, apply to your pet.

Buying Prescription Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide

Tips on How to Choose the Best Veterinarian

When moving to a new area or getting a new pet, you may want to take the following into consideration when choosing a veterinarian:

1. word of mouth ask neighbors and friends who they would recommend,
2. personal observations visit several hospitals and look for the following: clean facilities, pleasant personnel, unrushed atmosphere,
3. call the licensing board to check record for disciplinary actions, and
4. call the Better Business Bureau.

Fire Ants Pose Threat to Pets

Citing a survey of veterinarians that reports small animals and pets are treated more frequently than any other animal for fire-ant-related injuries, Bayer Environmental Science is urging pet owners to be aware of the threat fire ants can pose to their pets during the springtime, especially animals kept outdoors.

Bayer Environmental Science offers the following tips, taken from Texas A&M Universitys Texas Imported Fire Ant Applied Research and Education Program, to help protect pets:
* Check your property for infestation or hire a lawn care professional to do so for you. If ant mounds are present, your property must be treated.
* Young and caged animals are most at risk, and ants will usually sting body parts where there is little or no hair.
* Open sores and skin diseases attract fire ants. Pets with these conditions should be kept inside.
* If your pet is attacked, first remove it from the area and then remove the fire ants from your pet.
* Do not spray the ants off with a water hose. The ants will hang on and repeatedly sting the animal.

(Taken from Veterinary Practice News – May 2004)

The New Puppy

Revised by Chessie Green, DVM

Deciding to get a new puppy is a great way to add love and joy to your family. You can have a wonderful companion while providing a home to a needy dog. However, you must first understand how much responsibility is required to care for a puppy. Caring for a young or old dog is not difficult if you know how. The most important requirement is a lot of love and attention. Consider what type of dog will fit in with your family’s lifestyle. Do you have a yard a where the puppy can play or will you go to the park? Do you live in an apartment and are there limitations on pets? Do you have a lot of time to exercise an active dog or would a quiet dog be better? Consider the temperament of the animal and its needs when choosing your new friend.

It is essential to follow good training and health care practices in the first six months of a puppy’s life to ensure the health and happiness of the dog and your family for the 8-16 years to come. This is the time in which behavioral patterns are developed rapid growth occurs, and vaccination is paramount. You are, as a responsible guardian will want to guarantee your new friend has the best chance for a long and healthy life.

The first place to visit with your new puppy is the veterinarian. He or she will examine the puppy to look for congenital defects, check for infectious conditions, including intestinal parasites, and start vaccinations and heartworm prevention. Proper training and diet will be discussed. You will decide when to schedule the appointment to spay or neuter your new puppy. Regular visits to the veterinarian are very important in maintaining the health of your puppy.

Start gentle house training on the first day home. Purchase an appropriately sized wire crate and fill it with comfortable, washable bedding. Establish a regular schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime. Keep the puppy in the crate during the daytime hours you are unable to watch him closely and at night when you go to bed. Remember that very young puppies cannot sleep through the night without having to go outside to use the bathroom at least once. The first nights away from his mother and littermates will be difficult and the puppy may cry. Give him a stuffed animal and place a ticking clock in the crate to reassure him like the mother’s heartbeat did. Be patient as the puppy adjusts to your schedule. When he is old enough, enroll in a puppy training class so he can learn good socialization skills and manners. Consistency and kindness will soon help him realize that he is safe and sound with his new family.

A good diet is important for keeping your puppy healthy. Start him on a good quality dog food and follow your veterinarian’s advice on how much to feed each day. Do not give your puppy table scraps because this may upset his digestion and encourage him to beg. Always supply plenty of clean, fresh water. If your puppy stays outside for part of the day, be sure he has cool shelter from the heat and warm, dry protection from the cold. Be sure to keep him from roaming the neighborhoods and roads where he can be exposed to poisons, get in fights with other dogs, catch contagious diseases, or get hit by a car. Remember that when you need advice on how to care for your puppy, call the other family doctor…your veterinarian.

When you travel with Fifi or Tiger...

The veterinarians of the NCVMA hope your travels with your pets are safe and pleasant. If you are planning to visit North Carolina, we hope you have consulted with your pets' home veterinarian and have your pets' medical history, any needed medications and have otherwise planned for your pets' health and safety.

Before traveling with pets, you need to consider if the pets are good travelers. If not, boarding or having a friend take care of them while you are away may be a better option. Even though they enjoy being with their families, travel can be very stressful to pets, particularly older pets.

Your family veterinarian can advise you on how to minimize the stress of travel. However, should your pet need medical care while traveling in North Carolina, the NCVMA maintains a list of hospitals by county on this website.

A few useful tips...

Most dogs are great travelers and enjoy trips with their family. You know best if your dog is a good traveler. Cats rarely enjoy travel and have an increased chance of getting lost during stops. Take special care to leash or secure your pet before opening the car door. Cats, especially, should be kept in carriers. Keep your pet on a secure restraint at rest stops and exercise only in the designated areas. Supervise your pets carefully. Unfortunately, pets left unattended are easy victims for thieves who make money from trading animals. Your dog or cat should wear a collar and an identification tag at all items, but especially when you are traveling. Information on the tag should include a telephone number that will be answered while you are away from home When straying at a hotel or motel, try not to leave your pet unattended in the room. However, if you must leave your pet alone in a hotel or motel room, place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.

If you are traveling in the summer, be aware that hot weather can be dangerous for both you and your pets. Plan to keep youself and your pets well hydrated. In hot weather, animals can suffer from heat prostration very quickly if left in a car, even if the windows are partially open. Plan well and have an enjoyable trip!

Toxic Plants and Lawn Care Products

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has released information about plants and lawn care products that are toxic to dogs and cats. Here are some important questions and answers:

1. What plants are toxic to pets?

    Cardiotoxic plants - lily of the valley; oleander; rhododendron, azalea and rosebay; American, Japanese, English and Western yew; foxglove and kalanchoe

    Plants that could cause kidney failure - certain species of lilies and rhubarb leaves

    Plants that could cause liver failure - cycads and mushroom (Always assume that any ingested mushroom is highly toxic until a mycologist identifies that mushroom. Toxic and non-toxic mushrooms can grow in the same area.)

    Plants that could cause multiple effects - autumn crocus and castor bean

2. What should pet owners do if they suspect their animal has ingested a poisonous plant? What symptoms should they look for?

    If a pet owner suspects that their animal ingested a poisonous plant, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. It's advised to bring in part of the plant to a nursery for identification if the exact species is not known. Symptoms of poisonings can include almost any clinical sign. The animal may even appear completely normal for several hours or days.

3. Is there a way for pet owners to train or teach their pets not to eat poisonous plants?

    There may be ways that a pet owner could train their pets to avoid certain areas of their home or yard where there are poisonous plants. However, the safest method would be to prevent exposure by removing the plants from the pet's home and yard.

4. What about pesticides and fertilizers that might be in the garage or tool shed?

    Make sure pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until the time listed on the label by the manufacturer. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer for clarification before using it. Always store pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides in areas that are inaccessible to pets.

    The most serious problems resulting from fertilizer ingestion in pets is usually due to the presence of metals or with large ingestion. For instance, depending on the amount ingested and the percentage present in fertilizer formulation, iron toxicity could occur. Also, ingestion of large amounts of fertilizer could cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

    The most dangerous forms of pesticides include: snail bait containing metaldehyde, fly bait containing methomyl, systemic insecticides containing disyston or disulfaton, mole and gopher bait containing zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons. When using pesticides place the products in areas that are totally inaccessible to companion animals. Always store pesticides in secured areas.

Allergy-Proofing Your Home

The tremendous benefits of animal companionship make it worthwhile to seek ways to live healthfully with your pet. Here are some steps you can take to help bring your pet allergies under control:

1. Keep animals out of your bedroom.
2. Improve the filtration capabilities of your vacuum cleaner with special filters and bags that trap more particles. Look for a high allergen containment rating in new vacuums. Change bags frequently.
3. Consider replacing your carpet with tile, wood, or vinyl flooring and using throw rugs that can be washed.
4. Encase your mattress and box springs in vinyl covers, reduce upholstered furniture, and wash blankets, curtains and pillows regularly.
5. Use an air purifier to help eliminate allergens in the air. Free-standing models are generally more effective than the table-top versions.
6. Replace or clean furnaces, ducts and air conditioner filters often.
7. Circulate the air in your house daily by opening windows (weather permitting).
8. Keep your home scrupulously clean. 

(Courtesy of Oregon Veterinary Medical Assoc.)