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| 10/20/2008 |
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Thank You Dog Joggers!! |
A special thank you to all the participants and sponsors of our 2008 Dog Jog!! We had a record year...both in funds raised and participants!! It was such a beautiful morning and everyone had a wonderful time. A special thanks to Ramona McLean for taking photos at our event. If you had to leave before picking up your photo, please call Kathie at 572-9242.
Sweatshirts have been ordered and should in by the end of the month. If you raised enough to earn a sweatshirt, you will be called when they are done.
Thanks again everyone and hope to see you next year!! |
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| 5/5/2007 |
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Camping and your Dog |
TAKING ALONG "MANS BEST FRIEND" WHEN GOING CAMPING
As we all know summer is fast approaching and with summer comes the fun of family camping. As part of the family, your dog can have just as much fun as the rest of you. The outdoors is one of the best places to spend time with your dog. The dog loves all the new sights, sounds and smells. Here are a few tips to make camping with your dog more enjoyable and a bit safer.
1.Consider a pre-camping trip to the Vet.
Make sure all of your dogs shots (vaccinations) are current. Ask your Vet for advice on other shots that may be reccommended prior to a trip to the wilderness.
2. Make sure your dog has proper ID tags with their name, your name, address & phone number.
Temporary tags with the information of the campground you will be staying are a good idea, too.
3. Pack any medications that your dog may be currently taking. (IE: heart medication, seizure medication, etc...)
4. Use a crate for travel and for short term restraint.
5. Obtain a phone number for a Vet in the area you will be staying in case of emergencies.
6. Pack plenty of water from home, bring along food bowls, food and treats. And to avoid problems keep them on their regular schedule.
7. Pack a few toys to keep them occupied so they do not become bored.
8. Make sure to have their collar, leash and a tie out along.
9. Make sure the area you plan to stay at allows pets.
Many campgrounds allow dogs, but it is of the utmost importance that you respect the other campers around you by making sure that you have complete control over your dog at all times. Keep them on their leash! Pick up your dogs waste and properly dispose of it. Do not allow your dog to bark, as this can disturb not only the other campers, but the wildlife, too.
10. Closely supervise your dog around other campers, visitors, children and other pets.
11. Never leave your dog outside unattended. And when you are outside, please make sure the dog has adequate shade and water.
12. Give your dog time to adjust to the new surroundings and make sure they have time to rest.
13. Be aware of the weather conditions and how they effect your dog, heat, wind, rain, cold, etc...
14. Be on the lookout for fleas, ticks and other insects. Have the proper repellants for these along on the trip.
Submitted by De Ann Sumners, Vet. Tech.
MDHS Education Coordinator
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| 3/31/2005 |
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Feline Leukemia Information |
It seems that recently we have been seeing a lot more cases of Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids, for that reason we would like to educate everyone about these 2 deadly diseases.
Feline Leukemia, also called FeLV and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, also called FIV are 2 deadly infectious diseases of cats. No evidence exists to show that either virus is transmitted to people or dogs.
FeLV is a virus that can cause suppression of the cats immune system, imparing your cat's ability to fight infections. It may cause anemia, leukemia and some forms cancer. FeLV can lie dormant for years causing no outward symptoms in the infected cat. Although a healthy carrier, this cat can still spread the virus to other cats.
This virus is contagious among cats and is spread by contact through the saliva, tears and urine. It may also be transmitted to kittens by an infected mother during during bith and through the mothers milk.
Outdoor cats are espcially at risk.
There is not cure for infected cats.
Felv is easy to detect by a simple blood test. WE STONGLY RECCOMMEND ALL NEW CATS BE TESTED FOR THIS VIURS. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TEST NEW CATS ENTERING THE HOME WHERE OTHER CATS LIVE!!!
There is a vaccination available to cats that are 10 weeks or older who maybe at risk of becoming infected. These cats are those who spend time outdoors, multi-cat households and cats that are exposed to other cats such as catteries or boarding facilities.
FIV is also a virus. As it's name implies, it may cause a syndrome in cats very similar to AIDS in people. Like HIV, FIV may lie dormant for years before causing any symptoms in the cat. A FIV positive cat may live out its entire life without ever developing symptoms of the disease. Beware, this "healthy" carrier can still be spreading the disease to other cats.
If the virus does become active, it may suppress the immune system, allowing infections that can normally be controlled by the body to cause severe, debilitating disease.
CATS TRANSMITE FIV TO OTHER CATS ONLY THROUGH BITES!
There is a simple blood test for FIV and it is often combined with the test for FeLV making it simple to test for both viruses at one time.
There is no vaccine or cure for FIV.
As with FeLV, WE STONGLY RECCOMMEND ALL NEW CATS BE TESTED PRIOR TO ENTERING THE HOME, ESPECIALLY IF OTHER CATS WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE NEW CAT. IF NOT POSSIBLE TO TEST PRIOR TO BRINGING HOME A NEW CAT OR KITTEN, KEEP THE NEW PET "QUARATINED" FROM THE OTHERS UNTIL A TEST CAN BE DONE.
THE BEST PROTECTION FROM FeLV/FIV IS PREVENTION! KEEP YOUR CATS INDOORS AND HAVE THEM SPAYED OR NEUTERED SINCE ALTERED CATS TEND TO FIGHT LESS.
ALWAYS TEST ALL NEW CATS OR KITTENS BEFORE INTRODUCING THEM TO YOUR HOME!!!!
For Further information on this subject you may contact us at the MDHS or your Veterinarian.
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| 11/19/2004 |
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JOIN OUR PET REGISTRY!! |
The pet registry is essentially a Pet ID program. We have ordered numbered tags with our phone number on them. The tags will coordinate with the information about the pet they are assigned to. Should your pet ever become lost...the person who finds him or her can call us and we can help them get in touch with you. We will also keep on file the name of your vet and any special needs that your pet may have, such as needed medications. Also, an alternate contact will be listed in case we can't get ahold of you. The registry will actually be on our website, but only visible to our board members and Tom Glenn, our local animal control officer. There is no charge to enroll your pet. For more information about this program, you may call 577-PETS.
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| 5/19/2004 |
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Hot Weather Tips for Pets |
Overheating, often called Heat Prostration, can kill an animal. Please read and remember the following tips to avoid overheating in your pet.
Never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can quickly become a furnace. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts throughout the day. When traveling, carry a thermos full of fresh, cold water for your pet.
Do not force your pet to exercise in the heat. Always exercise him or her in the cool of the early morning or evening. Also, remember to not exercise the pet with a full stomach. Give them at least an hour after a meal to rest before exercising.
Always provide plenty of shade for your pets that are staying outdoors. A properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day and let them rest in a cool part of the house. Always provide plenty of fresh, cool and clean drinking water for them.
Be especially sensitive to old or overweight pets in the heat, they will not be as tolerable to high temperatures as the younger, more physically fit pets. Be also cautious of the Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds of animals, like the Pekingese, Boston Terrier, Lhasa Apsos, Bulldogs, Shih 'Tzu, Persian & Himalayan. These breeds are especially sensitive to heat.
Be alert for coolant leakage from automobiles. Animals are especially attracted to the sweet taste of coolant, and ingesting just a small amount can cause death. Consider using animal friendly cooling products that use propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. If you think your pet may have ingested coolant from an automobile, seek Veterinary assistance immediately!
A clean haircoat can help to prevent summer skin problems, keep your pet well groomed. If your pet has a heavy haircoat, shave the hair to about 1 inch. DO NOT shave down to the skin, this will rob the pet of protection from the sun and may cause sunburn.
And don't forget to ask your Vet. to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick program to keep the critters off your pet.
Here is a list of symptoms to watch for that may indicate that your pet is overheating:
>Rapid, frantic, noisy breathing
>Tongue and mucous membranes are bright red
>Saliva is thick and the pet may vomit
>Rectal temperature may be over 106 degrees
>Pet may have bloody diarrhea
What you can do to treat heat stroke:
>If possible, immerse pet in a tub of cool water. If this is not possible, put cold, wet towels around the pet's head, neck, back and stomach.
>Place an ice pack around the rectum.
>Talk to the pet soothingly, as it will be fearful and your voice may help calm them.
>If pet's temperature is over 106 degrees, a cold water enema is a must. You have to get the temp down or the pet will die! RUSH THE PET TO THE VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATLY!!!
If the pet responds well to the cool bath, keep them quiet & cool and watch for further complications. The body temperature may spike back up again.
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| 1/26/2004 |
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Pets and Second Hand Smoke |
IMPACT - Informed Multi-partnership Providing Alternatives to Consumption of Tobacco
Everyone has heard the risks of second hand smoke (SHS) to people. We know that SHS kills 53,000 people in the U.S. every year. What you probably don’t know is that second hand smoke could be killing your best friend.
There have been several studies done in recent years that address the effects of second hand smoke on people’s pets. It has been found that SHS can have a large impact on the health of our pets. SHS has been linked to lymphoma in cats, nasal and lung cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in birds.
In a study done by Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts researchers found a direct link between a cat’s chances of developing lymphoma and the number of smokers living in the home. A cat exposed to second hand smoke had double the risk of getting lymphoma. If the cat had lived with a smoker for five years or more, the risk was tripled. If there were two smokers in the house the risk increased four times. Researchers think the way that SHS affects cats is similar to the way it affects children. Cats lick the smoke residue off their fur and children suck it off objects and both cats and children spend large amounts of time indoors. Feline lymphoma kills three out of four of the cats infected with it in the first year.
A study done at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital looked at the effects of SHS on dogs. In it they found a dog exposed to SHS had a 1.6 times greater chance of getting cancer as a dog not exposed to SHS. In dogs with long noses, the most common form of cancer was nasal cancer, for the short nosed dogs lung cancer was the most common. Most dogs with nasal cancer will not live longer than a year after diagnosis.
Birds have especially sensitive respiratory systems and are especially susceptible to smoke of any kind. In birds SHS can cause lung irritations that result in pneumonia or lung cancer. SHS can also leave birds susceptible to heart disease, infertility, and eye problems. Another problem birds have if their owner smokes is contact dermatitis. Which is a result of the bird coming into contact with smoke residue on objects, such as its perch or its owner’s clothes.
Some other side effects of second hand smoke on our pets can be allergies and eye irritation. Another risk is nicotine poisoning from pets eating unattended cigarettes or cigarette butts. Nicotine poisoning can lead to death within a short period of time.
So for the health of your best friend, please go outside to smoke, or to ensure you have lots of years together try to stop smoking. What are best friends for?
Article provided by:
Daphne Clark
Upper Missouri District Health Unit
110 W. Broadway, Suite 101
Williston, ND 58801
701-774-6406
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