Category Archives: Reminders
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
Its cold weather season! For outdoor pets, adopt the following rules to keep them safe during subzero temperatures:
•Provide a shelter to escape the cold that is clean, dry and insulated (garage, shed, kennel)
•Avoid abrupt temperature changes like bringing pets into a heated facility and then back out into the extreme cold as this can put them more at risk for certain infectious diseases
•Keep your pets dry with regular bedding changes, removing wet blankets or covers, and providing a shelter to avoid getting wet in the first place
•Use a heated water container and check it regularly to ensure there is plenty of liquid water available
•Increase feed by about 10-15% in order to help pets tolerate the cold stress
•Take caution with the products you use to help melt ice and snow as they can be irritating to pets’ feet or GI tract when ingested. Look for pet safe salts or avoid use when possible.
•With outdoor cats and wildlife in the area, make sure to tap on your hood before starting the car to make sure they are not cuddling up next to the heat of the engine
•Keep your pet away from lakes and ponds in the area that could have thin ice
Dr. Sarah Myers, Willow Animal Hospital
(photo courtesy of: theforumnewsgroup.com)
2016 Vaccination Clinics
Our vaccination clinics offer a closer-to-home option for keeping up on your dog or cat’s routine vaccinations. We visit Oulu, Port Wing, Cornucopia, Maple, Brule, Mason and Mellen annually (just in time for dog licensing). Stop by for annual heartworm and tick-borne diseases testing/prevention, internal parasite treatment/prevention, and discounted vaccinations for your faithful pets!
See our website for more information about dates, times and locations. (photo courtesy of: www.lakewood.org)
Independence Day Tips
Happy 4th of July! As you enjoy the festivities remember to keep your pets’ safety in mind. The stressful noises of parades and fireworks can be a major source of stress for your pets. Make sure they are secured in a safe place or on a secure leash during parades and fireworks. The loud noises from the festivities can often scare pets enough that they run away and become lost. If your pets’ stress is severe schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss medication options that may help to calm them. Dr. Sarah Myers, Willow Animal Hospital
(photo courtesy of: www.seesamsit.com)
Kids & Pets
Did you know that pets can transmit some infections to people? These types of transmissible conditions are called zoonotic diseases. With good preventive care risk is extremely low. Intestinal parasites are one of the most common zoonotic diseases we see in pets. We recommend monthly preventive deworming products to prevent your pets from getting intestinal parasites. Preventing your pets from getting these infections is the first line of defense in preventing transmission to your family. Schedule your pet’s annual exam to learn more about which product is best for your pet! Dr. Sarah Myers, Willow Animal Hospital
(photo courtesy of: topicnow.info)
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! Remember that the tasty chocolate treats we love so much on this holiday can be toxic to your pets. In general, avoid feeding any chocolate to your pet but if they do get into it—how much is too much? Here is a tip to live by: the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxicity risk. With milk chocolate more than 0.5 ounces per pound and with dark chocolate more than 0.1 ounces per pound can result in toxicity. Mild signs of toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea while more severe signs include heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures even collapse. Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about chocolate ingestion with your pet! Dr. Sarah Myers, Willow Animal Hospital
(photo courtesy of: askthepodcastcoach.com)
Attack of the ticks!
Tick season is coming!! Are you ready?? There are several common tick transmitted diseases in northern Wisconsin including Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis. These diseases can cause serious illness and even be deadly to our four legged friends. Using monthly tick prevention products like Vectra 3-D or Frontline along with daily tick checks are the best way to prevent transmission of these diseases in our pets. It can take several months after transmission before symptoms develop. Once symptoms do develop they often come on very quickly (less than 24 hours). If your pet displays lethargy, limping, or lack of appetite contact your veterinarian as these are common signs of tick transmitted diseases. Early treatment can help to prevent fatal complications so don’t delay in calling your veterinarian! Dr. Sarah Myers, Willow Animal Hospital (photo courtesy of: http://becuo.com)
Vaccination Clinics are here!!
Is your dog or cat due for vaccinations? Is money a bit tight this year? Come see us at one of our annual dog & cat Vaccination Clinics! We visit Oulu, Port Wing, Cornucopia, Maple, Brule, Mason and Mellen, offering discounted vaccinations, as well as annual heartworm and tick-borne diseases testing and prevention, and internal parasite preventatives.
See our website for more information about dates, times and locations. (photo courtesy of: www.petinsurance.com)
Boarding? Vaccinate!
Keep a close eye on calves...
With the calving season already in full force, we’ve been seeing a number of farmers in and out of the clinic. If you are raising a baby calf, remember that we carry extra supplies such as colostrum replacement, electrolytes, and medications. With all this rain, it’s important to keep a close eye on those young ones and keep them warm and dry!
Photo: grit.com
Is your pet up to date on Rabies?
Is your pet up to date on Rabies? The rabies vaccination is legally required for all dogs 5 months of age or older in Wisconsin, and is highly recommended for all cats. Not only does it offer protection to your pet, but also helps to legally (and financially) protect you should an unpredictable bite incident occur. If your pet is not up-to-date, we strongly recommend you schedule a wellness exam with proper vaccination today!
Photo: fullyfeline.com
