Oh What A Week It's Been

Seriously. What. a. week. The phrase, "stick a fork in me, I'm done!" seems fairly accurate.

My last post was about the new kitty I adopted. I had been eyeing her for a month at the Humane Society kiosk inside Petsmart - every weekend I grew more fond of her. I finally convinced Boyfriend to agree and we managed to get our landlord to agree as well. We knew our other cat, Wyatt, missed having Harriet around and could use a playmate. The Humane Society had named her "Starla", but Boyfriend and I both agreed we needed something else. After a few days, Boyfriend came up with a name that I think suits her, and we both like it. "Lacey" is her new name and it's taken two weeks to come out of her shell, but she's a happy cat. Her favorite place is usually under the spare bed; if not there, then the window sill in the "cat room". She now comes out around the house, plays with Wyatt (and usually kicks hiss ass a little, too), and is showing her sweet side.

The weekend that I adopted Lacey, my Nana and Mom both came down with a horrible flu-like bug. Terrible, horrible. One you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy. Wednesday night, it hit me. At 1:30 in the morning. Fortunately I had been forewarned regarding all that happens, so I wasn't surprised that I had to immediately jump in the shower. I figure I lost close to ten pounds in two days. While I was physically sick for one day, I didn't eat for nearly two and lost a lot of fluids. I went to work Friday morning simply to do payroll, to ensure it got done the way I do it.

The weekend I wasn't feeling well, I called in sick to my weekend job. I just didn't have the strength or stamina to stand/walk for four hours at a time. We made a quick stop at the Peddler's Fair, where I found the gal that makes the soap I love, and bought soaps. Then, we took the boat out on Lewiston Lake, and putted around. The speed limit is only 10mph on the entire lake - the lake is actually a very large river, really. When Trinity Dam releases water from Trinity Lake, it flows into the original riverbed, which was never dredged; and flows to Lewiston Dam where water will be released into the original Trinity River, which goes to Whiskeytown Lake. Yeah, I know, confusing. Basically, Lewiston Lake is barely a lake, it's more a really big river. There I started my tan. It was a nice, relaxing day.

Monday brought a busy work week as I'm trying to figure out our worker's comp insurance, retyped the Rules and Regulations, paid a bunch of bills, and began working on a updated 2014 Budget - with actual figures for the first half and better estimates for the rest of the year. Next up will be working on a budget for the beginning of 2015 and then maybe try to work out a 5 year budget. We'll need that sort of thing for future grants anyway. Plus we had a board meeting and I had to get everything ready for that. Also? We are in dire need of replacing our second river pump - most water companies have some sort of "redundant" system, so that if one pump fails, we still have another to pull water from the River (which is our back-up source in the summer). One of our pumps doesn't work. It hasn't for 15 years. Looks like it will cost a minimum of $15,000. We were hoping to get emergency funds from the State to reimburse us, but since we have some money socked away in a CD, we won't get reimbursed. It's all on us. Bleh.

Wednesday brought a headache in the form of a water pipe buried TWELVE FEET. Why someone would bury it that far down, I'm not sure. But Boyfriend tore up the pipe because he couldn't see anything from the backhoe and the hole was muddy and had water in it. The school, which is where they were digging, has had no running water since Wednesday. Boyfriend discovered that it's a copper pipe and had to order parts. Then he discovered it wasn't 2" pipe, it was 3" pipe, which evidently 3" copper pipe is practically unheard of. While the students are out of school for summer, admin staff are still there and have no water. They are livid, even though, Boyfriend is moving as fast as he can to get parts to fix it. All this to install a meter. *sigh*

We got GREAT NEWS on Wednesday, too. The grant I applied for three weeks ago - just heard back that we are among 8 companies selected to receive money!!! It still has to be approved by the Policy Review Committee, but at least we are in the running. I actually got teary when I read the email.

Thursday night, Boyfriend and I went to see the Eli Young Band in Redding. It was a good show. :)   And don't let my camera fool you, I could actually see his facial expressions, although my camera makes it look like I'm far away. lol We had pretty good seats.

In the middle of the night, Boyfriend woke me up - he was sick. He is sure his is actual food poisoning and not the weird flu-like bug that resembles food poisoning in how quick and violently it hits you. In in the middle of this, he's making phone calls to somehow get running water back to the school since now we can't get parts until Monday. If the school doesn't kill us in our sleep, we should count our lucky stars.

And now, I'm starving, so I think I will have some leftover fish tacos I made a couple nights ago. Pretty sure Boyfriend won't eat anything; food poisoning or the flu will kill whatever appetite you have. I'm hiding in the bedroom while he's sleeping in the living room. I don't want my typing to disturb him. However, dinner will. It's a catch 22. Oh well. I just hope next week is better.

 

Introducing "New Cat"

After toying with the idea for at least a month, Boyfriend and I decided to adopt a cat. Well, I made the final decision. Sort of. Technically we had to ask out landlord since the Humane Society would be calling him to make sure it's okay.

About a month or so ago, "Starla" was brought in to the Haven Humane kiosk at Petsmart, where I work on weekends for my Pet Nutrition gig.

This was still when Harriet's disappearance was a fresh wound and the sight of this new tuxedo cat sent me to the ladies room to calm down and dry my eyes. Each weekend since I was less upset and liked her more. While she does look a lot like Harriet, she has a different face, the shape of her eyes are different and her white markings are a bit different. And she likes to play. Harriet rarely played.

Boyfriend and I are contemplating a new name for her as neither one of us are too fond of the name that Haven gave her.

She's not overly fond of Wyatt just yet, but I know they will get along in a few days. She was always kept with other cats, so I know she gets along with them and will use the same litter box. Just the same, I bought her her own box, and set it up in the third bedroom with her own food and water.

The gal at Haven was so happy to see her go. I told her last weekend I was getting fond of her and she thought the other adoption agency was going to take her. I showed up on Saturday and she was still with Haven, which made me happy. The other agency was still looking to take her today (Sunday) and the Haven gal told me she'd tell them no until I had heard from Boyfriend about the landlord's decision.

Everyone at Petsmart was happy to see me adopt a kitty from Haven. I got a coupon booklet and got a free bag of food (from the food I represent and oddly enough, the food I fed Harriet for 10 years and Wyatt likes as well), bought a litter box, a large bag of food (and used one of my work coupons), some more cat litter, a food bowl, collar and a name tag. I figure "Starla" will work on a name tag for now in case she should get out. I saved about $40 between the free bag and the coupons. Not bad.

Hopefully, we'll come up with a new name for her that suits her better. Also, Boyfriend's horrible ex had a cat named Stella and Starla sounds too close.

Photo from Haven Humane Society

Charley (aka Stinkpot)

Last week Boyfriend and I dog-sat Charley, my parents old hound dog. They went to spend a week at the coast with family and were able to take Libby because she's only 5lbs. Unfortunately we just moved 45 minutes away, so I  had to pick Charley up from my parents house after work last weekend and bring her and her two beds, food bowls, food and leash up to our new place. Charley is such a good travel dog - she just lays in the back. You'd forget she was there except for the smell. For 14 years this dog has been rolling in whatever she can find (the stinkier the better) and even though she gets a bath every week or so, she just has an odor. It can be quite the foul odor. But she's a good dog and we all love her. Stench and all.

Now, Wyatt, our kitten, has really never been around dogs before. His tail looked like a bottle brush for about three days. For the first two days he barely went near the dog.

However, on the first night, I told Boyfriend, "Just you wait. He'll just get used to her being here and then it'll be time for her to go home."

After a couple days, Wyatt started attempting to play with Charley. He'd pounce on her feet or her tail. She'd whip her head around at him.

And then one day, I walked into the living room to find this:

The only downside was that when Charley was outside, it often made the dogs across the street bark. Otherwise, she's a pretty easy keeper. We did take her to where the chickens are currently housed and introduced her to the dog there, Logan. He took a liking to her and she was too busy sniffing the ground to pay him too much attention.

She got to go for a couple truck rides and car rides, which she doesn't do anymore. Trust me when I say lifting a 70lb dog by oneself is not an easy task. Especially from the ground to the back of my SUV. Ouch.

Now I just have to convince Boyfriend that we need a dog. 

Hahahaha!

The move is finally over

It is now official. We are out of the old place and into the new place. I did the final walk-through at the prior rental this morning. Trust me when I say that the house was cleaner when we left than when we moved in. It took all of five minutes; I didn't even have to argue about the crap on the walls that was there when we moved in (and tried to scrub off to no avail). The only thing that will come out of our deposit will be the carpet cleaning, only because we were there longer than 90 days.

We are now able to completely put the last four months behind us. We no longer have to deal with the asshat neighbor (which I need to finish that story). We don't have to deal with Boyfriend's Grandma's bad attitude. And hopefully she's done making up lists of stuff we "stole" from her (when in reality it's stuff she left behind and forgot about). We can focus on us, setting some money aside, and house hunting for something that we will both love and that will work for us and mostly, be nice and quiet.

I've spent the week unpacking and getting the house set up. I still have to figure out stuff on the walls, and I'd like to find some valances for at least the living room windows.

I've discovered I have the power here. The power of unpacking what I packed and I am the only one who knows where everything is. Boyfriend constantly asks me where things are.

Boyfriend's commute has gone from about an hour each way to about two minutes each way. My commute twice a week for my weekend job is now about an hour each way. However, while I'm in Redding, I will run errands, go grocery shopping, and that fun stuff. No special trips to town because I forgot something . . . considering it's an hour. The nearest grocery store is about twenty minutes away in the nearest (not-as-small) small town. In our town, we have two mini-marts. Emphasis on "mini". 

I never found Harriet. It  breaks my heart. I spent at least an hour one night, sitting by the hidey box that Boyfriend made for her, crying uncontrollably. I miss her so much. Her missing kept Boyfriend up during the night. We cried together the night before we moved; I admitted I felt like I was abandoning her. I finally had a dream about her last night. During the day (in the dream), she'd be missing and I'd be heartbroken. But when I slept, she'd be at my head, purring away, her whiskers tickling my face. Day would return and she'd be gone. But when I slept, she'd be back. I awoke feeling loved by my kitty.

As I waited for the rental agent for the walk-through, I walked around outside, again looking and calling her name. As before, silence greeted me.

The not knowing hurts the most. I miss my little keekers. 

Life Gets Crazy and Then Your Beloved Cat Goes MISSING

Boyfriend and I found a place to rent in the town where he works. We found it last week.

On Monday, he quickly decided he wanted out of the house this week. We took a trailer load of stuff today. Mom and I cleaned and unpacked everything labeled "kitchen". The upside, is minus a few random items, the new kitchen is clean and set up and ready to go. The downside is that the entire move is basically a cluster-fuck and it's driving me crazy. 

I've been calling our utilities to get stuff set up, transferred, moved, and cancelled. Thank God for speaker phone.

Monday night, Boyfriend opened the sliding glass door to let some cool air in. This door has never had a screen door, even though we've asked the landlord for one.

Sometime Monday night, my beloved kitty, Miss Harriet, got curious and went outside. It was pouring down rain. My guess is she got spooked by something and she took off to hide. I spent an hour wandering the property looking for her. Mom came over and helped me do it all over again. We poked around in the ground cover, shrubs, trees, bushes, the barns, even got down on my hands and knees in the mud to look under barns/sheds, over-turned boats, etc . . . and yes, even everywhere in the house. We even drove around, looking for her . . . nothing by the side of the road.

I even took her plastic red food dish that I tap on when I want to feed her canned food by surprise. The tapping will usually bring her out from anywhere and she's ready to munch on her treat.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Tuesday night came and she still hadn't come around.

People kept telling me once it stopped raining, she'd come out of hiding.

It stopped and she hasn't.

I've checked with the neighbors. Nothing.

She's not an adventurous cat. She gets down low and hides when scared versus climbing (although she still has all of her claws, so she could climb if needed). I can't even imagine her leaving the yard. I know that if she could hear me hollering for her, she'd meow or yowl. And I hear nothing.

Not a single peep, meow, yowl, growl, hiss, scream. Nothing.

And that worries me most of all.

We are moving this week. I don't want to leave without her. Without knowing.

I have been crying for two days.

Miss Harriet has been one of my BFF's for ten years. She was a stray I took in that had been dumped at a pet store. She kept my lap and feet warm on cold winter days and nights. She purred in my ear, happy and content during the night. She let me cry into her fur when I was upset. I cajoled her after having been drugged for dentals or shaving. She politely followed me around the kitchen, quietly begging for canned food. Sometimes, not so quietly. She was my companion in my otherwise lonely apartments in Sacramento. She put up with me moving a lot recently and even became friends with Wyatt, our new kitten. She became more comfortable in the house and wasn't even upset about the recent packing. She had re-found her perch atop my recliner and was content in watching the kitten play with a string.

I severely miss my cat. She has been there for me for ten years and I her.

My heart aches.

My eyes burn.

Not knowing what may have happened or if she's hurt or scared and can't find her way back after the 24 hours of solid rain . . . that is the worst thing in the world.

I want my Harriet back. And I want her back NOW.

It is now Tuesday night. I have again walked the property, crawled around, called her name, her nickname, made kissing noises and looked everywhere.

Nothing. 

People tell me their stories of how their cat went missing for a couple days then showed back up. I hope that happens. I want her back more than words can say.

How is it that silence is deafening? Because it is.

A-Z Challenge: Q is for Questions

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

 It doesn't matter how many years you've been taking your pets to the veterinarian, there are always questions you should ask. When you ask them may depend on your pets age or if and when a medical situation arises. Don't be afraid to ask your vet or their staff questions - it's what they are there for.

1. What vaccines should my pet get? If you have a new puppy, he should start getting vaccines at 6 weeks of age, with his DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo). It should be given about every 3 weeks until he's about 4 months old (so a series of 3 or 4). If you have a kitten, he should get his FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and his FELV (Feline Leukemia Virus) vaccines. Again, a series of 3 or 4 shots at 3 weeks apart. Once the puppy or kitten is at least 16 weeks or older, he can get his Rabies vaccine. Depending on your area, your vet may recommend your dog also get a K9 Flu and Kennel Cough vaccines, and even Rattlesnake vaccine.

2. Should I brush my pet's teeth? Yes, you should. Brushing even two or three times a week will help prevent tartar build-up and plaque. Make sure you use a pet safe toothpaste, not a human toothpaste. You can also ask your vet about oral rinses as well.

3. Is it really necessary to give flea, tick and heartworm preventions? This will depend on your area, but yes, in general, you should give these preventative medications. Make sure to ask your veterinarian if you live in a high risk area for heartworm disease. Flea prevention should be given year round, especially if you travel a lot with your pet or you live in a climate that is warmer in winter (like California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.). Tick prevention is a must if you live in rural areas.

4. Why does my pet eat poop? Even perfectly healthy pets may make a habit out of this. (I once had a dog that loved horse poop. Bleh!). Often it's just a bad (and disgusting) habit they pick up. Either way, it should be discouraged as it's another way for your pet to ingest bacteria or parasites.

5. Can my pet get my cold? Or can I get my pet's cold? The simple answer is no. The human flu/cold viruses are not transferable to your pet. Just as the K9 flu or your cat's upper respiratory infection won't be transferred to you. However, there are some zoonotic diseases like Rabies that you should always be aware of. Also there are some parasites that can be transferred to people, such as roundworm, or even skin diseases like ringworm.

6. How much do I feed my pet? How do I tell if my pet is overweight? Each pet is different, and so is there lifestyle. Most bags of pet food will give you a feeding range for your pet's weight range. Some breeds may be prone to obesity, so you will have to be the best judge. Your vet can give you an idea of how much to feed, but if you notice Fido's waddling more than usual, cut back. Some dogs only eat one cup of food a day. Each "meal" you feed  your pet is a nutritionally balanced meal (ideally), so don't think you're starving your dog. Or cat. You should always be able to feel your pet's ribs without having to press hard. And your pet should have a waist past the rib cage.  If you can't feel your pets ribs, it waddles around, or has love handles, it's probably on the obese side.

7. Does my pet need bloodwork? Really? This will largely depend on your pet's health and history. Any pet over 7 years is usually recommended to have annual bloodwork done simply to monitor kidney and liver function, diabetes, cancer, or thyroid problems. Even if your vet doesn't find anything wrong, you've established a "normal" for your pet, so it will be easier down the road to notice if something is amiss. Bloodwork is typically recommended before surgeries, but some offices will let you decline it. If your pet has health issues, such as seizures, your vet will usually require annual bloodwork to monitor your pet's liver and to make sure your pet is still doing okay on the dosage being given.

8. What are these lumps/bumps on my pet? As our pets age they grow little lumps and bumps. If you notice a lump or bump that wasn't there before, it's always a good idea to have your vet check it out to make sure whether or not it's cancerous.

9. Should I be giving my pet supplements? This is typically on a case by case basis. Your pet's food is a balanced meal, however some breeds may require something extra. For example, large breeds of dogs have a tendency to have joint problems at a young age, so your vet may suggest joint supplements. Feel free to ask questions of your vet regarding supplements.

10. My appointment was 15 minutes, why is $200?! Most vet offices will give you an itemized receipt so you see the breakdown of why your bill is $200. Don't be afraid to ask about their fees - but please don't be rude if you do so. The vet or their staff will usually be happy to go over their fees, because they don't want you to leave upset. Here's an example from one clinic I worked for:

Office Exam - $45

CBC - In House - $75

Thyroid - Lab - $125

Enalapril 10mg x30 - $20

Furosemide 12.5mg x15 - $30

Total: $295

I kind of pulled the prices out of a hat, but you get the idea. In house testing will usually cost less than sending it out to a lab. If something about your bill bugs you, speak up.

The point is, don't be afraid to ask the vet or their staff questions. They are there to make life better for your pet. A happy pet is a happy owner. We all enjoy seeing your pets come in. We often take these journey's with you, the ups, the downs, and typically the worst day of any pet owners life where they need to euthanize their pet. We'll laugh with you and cry with you and give you a hug and a kleenex if needed.  So don't be afraid to ask, because your vet's office is a huge part of your pet's life.

A-Z Challenge: P is for Parvo

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

This is one thing I stress to new pet owners/people with new puppies: be very careful about Parvo. Parvo is the most common infectious disorder among dogs in the United States. And is among the most deadly for puppies. Parvo has broken many new pet owner's hearts, and as common as it is, there are still so many people who know nothing about it.

Parvo is a highly contagious virus that puppies can literally pick up from almost anywhere. They can pick it up from sniffing another dog, from a pet store, from a dog park - from any high traffic dog area. The important thing to know is that the virus can actually live in the soil for several years. Once the weather warms up a little - BOOM.

This virus is the reason why vet offices will stress a vaccine series for your new puppy - to hopefully prevent you from having to pay $500-$1000 in treatment costs. It is highly recommended that your new puppy get a minimum of 3 of it's DHLP-P vaccines, approximately 3 weeks apart. DHLP-P stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptosirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus. In higher risk areas, it's recommended that your new puppy get at least 4 shots.

Your new puppy is born with some immunity, but by the time it's 6 weeks old, it's immunity is pretty much nil. The reason your vet will recommend a series of vaccines is to help build up that immune system again.

Another important thing to remember is this: Just because your puppy has had it's vaccines does not mean it cannot or will not contract the virus. If your puppy has only had one shot, he can still easily contract the virus. So until your puppy has had all it's vaccines, avoid high traffic dog areas.

If your new puppy gets sick within a few short days of you getting the puppy, more than likely the puppy contracted the virus before he was in you care. There are many "backyard breeders" who either don't know or don't care that their yard is full of the virus. At one clinic I worked for, we had three separate people come in with sick puppies - all tested positive for Parvo. After talking to them, we found out that each person had unknowingly gotten their puppies from the same person. The people took the puppies back to the breeder, and the breeder called us and wanted the entire litter euthanized. At first we weren't going to do it, but the doctors finally relented. They didn't want to see the puppies suffer and we knew the breeder couldn't afford to hospitalize all 8 puppies. Guess what happened the following year?

Symptoms of Parvo include: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, fever, dark/bloody feces. Incubation period is approximately 5-7 days.

Treatment for Parvo will most commonly include IV fluids and medicine to help stop the vomiting. Antibiotics typically aren't given unless there seems to be another infection.  Being that Parvo is a virus, it has to run it's course. There is no cure for it, we can only treat it symptomatically.

Each case for Parvo is different - two litter-mates could come in with it, and only one may live. However, the earlier it's caught, hopefully the puppy will make it.

If you're concerned that your new puppy may have Parvo, call your veterinarian's office ASAP. When you get to the office, leave the puppy in the car if possible - the test is a simple swab and can be done in your car. If the puppy must come inside, please do not set the puppy down - that just means more surface to bleach for the staff. And back at home, wash everything you can and bleach what you can.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, and my own experiences working in large/small animal practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: N is for New Puppies/Kittens

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is pet health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

So many people every year adopt or purchase a new puppy or kitten. And so many of those people are either first-timers in puppy/kitten owning or haven't done it in 15 years. Here are a few tips to help you with your newest family member:

1. If you're thinking about buying or adopting, buy a book on puppies/kittens; if looking at specific breeds, get a book about that breed. Many people buy or adopt because they like the idea or look of a breed, but they don't know any specifics and later can cause issues. Many breeds these days have genetic issues due to inbreeding (I'm not naming any one breed because anymore they all have something wrong somewhere) - such as hip dysplasia, autoimmune diseases, brittle bones, etc.

2.  If you've adopted your new pet, ask your local pet store if they offer any coupons. Some of the big retail giants like Petco or Petsmart may offer coupon booklets for start-up necessities such as toys, litter boxes, food, treats, or collars and leashes. Make sure to take paperwork for proof of adoption.

3.  Once you've brought your new animal home, keep it there. This is especially important for puppies as Parvo is a very contagious and dangerous virus that puppies can get. Stores like Petco and Petsmart allow patrons to take their animals in the store - if you feel that you must do so, keep your new puppy/kitten wrapped in a blanket or towel, or keep in your arms. Just like people can catch colds or the flu from touching contaminated items, so can your new puppy/kitten. It is recommended that you do not take your new puppy to the park or other high traffic dog areas until it's completed it's vaccine program.

4.  Ask your veterinarian about their vaccine program for new puppies/kittens. Many offices will offer a puppy/kitten package. One clinic I worked for, their package was $100, which included four DHLPP or FVRCP/FELV vaccines, the first Rabies vaccines, the initial exam fee, and four dewormings, PLUS you would get a free sample of puppy/kitten food, a free sample of Frontline and Heartgard, as well as a booklet with coupons. The savings added up to nearly $100. It is recommended that your new puppy and kitten get at least a series of three of their vaccines, some offices may suggest four vaccines for better immunization (puppies - DHLPP, kittens - FVRCP/FELV).

5.  Once your puppy has had its required vaccines, take your puppy to training classes. This is important for your puppy to learn social skills as well as learn how to obey basic commands. If you already have noticed behavioral issues, you can also talk with your veterinarian or puppy trainer to resolve them.

6.  When your puppy or kitten is of the proper age, it's a wise idea to have it spayed/neutered. Not only for pet over-population (more than 12 million unwanted pets are euthanized every year), but for health and behavioral reasons as well. Animals that are spayed/neutered are unable to get uterine/testicular cancers, for females mammary tumors are seen less often, and in males, prostate issues are not seen as often. And no, your pet will not gain weight just by being fixed. The average age for a pet to be fixed is 6 months of age. Some breeds can be different; make sure to talk to your veterinarian about the best time to fix your pet.

7.  Most of all, enjoy your newest family member!!

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, as well as my own experience working in large/small animal practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: M is for Marijuana Toxicity

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

I cannot tell you how many customers have walked into clinics that I've worked that smell of pot so bad that you can hardly breathe in their presence. And when you are no longer in their presence you're amazed you didn't get a contact high.

A lot of people believe that since pot is not that harmful of a drug (in relation to other illegal drugs) to people, that it's also not harmful to their pets. Not so, since animals metabolize drugs differently than people.

The toxin in pot is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has strong anti-emetic effects, making it hard to induce vomiting to get the toxin out of your pet's system. Most pets will actually be poisoned by ingestion rather than inhalation.

Signs of your pet having found your secret stash are: dilated pupils, drop in body temperature, glazed eyes, lack of muscle control, abnormal sensitivity, semiconsciousness, depression, and in rare cases, coma. Also be aware that your pet can die from THC toxicity, although it is rare.

If you believe your pet has eaten your secret stash, get your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible. And don't lie about what your dog got into, because treatment for your pet is based on what you tell the veterinarian. (And when you get home, find a pet-safe secret place for your stash).

My sources: Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith as well as my own experiences working in large/small animal practices and a veterinary laboratory.

 

A-Z Challenge: J is for Jumping

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Everyone loves a happy dog. The dog that just snuggles up next you, tongue lolling out, the wagging tail, the head that keeps bumping you hand so that you'll scratch an ear. The dog that is a wiggle worm because he can't figure out who to look to first for a belly rub.

There is one thing that not everyone loves about a happy dog: jumping. Pretty much all pet owners are guilty of this at some point - they let their dog jump on them at home so the dog figures he can do that to everyone else. It's cute when it's a 10 pound puppy who wants to play and couldn't knock anything over. Give it a year and that once little Bull Mastiff puppy now weighs roughly 150 pounds, that sucker is going to knock you out.

Many people don't take their puppies to a "puppy training" class, where they can learn to curb such behaviors as jumping up on people. Getting your puppy trained to understand basic commands and socializing is very important. For puppy classes, you can try private dog clubs, your local humane society, or even large pet retail stores.

Once when I worked for a pet retail store, a guy always brought his Mastiff, Max. My first encounter with Max was when my life flashed before my eyes. I had asked the owner if Max could have a treat, and as I grabbed one, Max tried jumping over the counter to get the cookie. His owner was highly embarrassed and tried to reassure me that Max only wanted the cookie and that he was "really a nice dog who that he was a lap dog". Once my heart started beating again, I patted Max on the head and gave him his cookie. For the next three years I wasn't afraid of the dog, but I always remembered how Max and I met. 

A-Z Challenge: I is for (Client) Information

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

When a person walks into a vet clinic for the first time, they are asked to fill out a "client information" sheet, which also includes information regarding their pet information. I cannot tell you how often people get stingy with what information they are willing to provide. We ask nothing that your own physicians would ask you on a form if you yourself were a new patient there. There are reasons the information is requested. And no, it's not to sell your information on the side for a few extra bucks.

We ask for some basic information - Name, Address, Phone Numbers. Hard to believe, but there are people that put only their first name, no address and no phone. Um. Folks, we can't even create a file for you. When that happens, we (receptionists) then have to call you back up to the front desk and ask you for each answer, which really only takes longer. We need your name to create a file. We need your address so we can send you reminders for your pets vaccines. We need your phone numbers should we need to contact you regarding appointment/surgery reminders or changes, or if the doctor needs to speak with you regarding your pet. Not rocket science, folks.

After that, many clinics ask for an email address. Again, we're not asking so we can sell it. We're asking because it's "greener" to send an email that it is to mail you a reminder card. If you choose to not give it, that's fine. If you don't have an email (truly only acceptable for the elderly in this day and age), that's fine. It's not mandatory, but you are saving a stamp and a piece of paper.

Where it really upsets people is when they get to the part regarding their birthdays, driver's license numbers, and Social Security Numbers. With all the identity theft running around, I truly understand that people are hesitant about giving out this information. But don't scoff when told the reason behind it. And don't be rude about it, either. This information is required by the State/Federal governments. If your pet needs a controlled drug like Phenobarbital (to stop seizures), we are required by law to provide this information to the government. You are the one we are handing these drugs over to. Controlled drugs are controlled for a reason. Don't roll your eyes at the receptionist when they tell you why they are asking you for the information, because it only makes you look like an ass. If we don't follow the law, we could be shut down and then you'd have to shop for a new veterinarian.

Some clinics also ask for a credit card to be put on file. Some clients actually like that feature in that in the event of an emergency, we already have the card number on file. This has happened - owners go out of town, have a friend pet-sitting and Fido jumps off the deck and breaks a leg. The owner has the friend take Fido to the vet, calls the vet and explains and says to please run the credit card on file - after they know what's been done and the total, of course. The pet-sitter doesn't have to pay for anything other than the gas to get there. Trust me, the staff isn't going to go on a shopping spree at Tiffany's with your credit card number. If you'd rather just pay cash, that's usually fine. But it's a good idea to have one on file, just in case of an emergency. But please don't get testy with the receptionists - we didn't come up with the form, we're just doing as we're told.

In reality, a veterinary clinic doesn't not ask you anything your own doctor's office wouldn't. Actually, ours are usually less invasive, but people throw more fits if we're doing the asking. Perhaps it's because they don't see it truly as a different version of a "Doctor's Office"? It is a doctor's office. Just a different kind is all.

A-Z Challenge: H is for Heartworms

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Heartworm disease in dogs and cats is seen in all 50 US states, the first case was in 1847 on the east coast. Since then, it has spread throughout the country. It's easily preventable. It's treatable but very expensive and your dog must be kept quiet for several weeks. If anyone has ever tried to keep a dog "quiet" for any length of time, you know it's a challenge.

But while it's easily preventable, many dogs (and even cats) wind up testing positive for heartworms. Because while it's easy to prevent, people often balk at the price tag on the box of prevention from their veterinarians.

Heartworm disease is spread via mosquitoes. A mosquito bites a dog that has adult heartworms that lay larvae that enter the bloodstream and sucks up the larvae. The mosquito is required for the next stage of growth for the larvae. When this infected mosquito bites an uninfected dog (or cat), the larvae enters the animals skin.  The heartworm larvae continue to mature and develop, migrating through the tissues and reaching the heart and pulmonary arteries. Larvae become adult heartworms within 6 months of infection. 

Symptoms of heartworm disease include: coughing, lethargy, exercise intolerance, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Make note that these symptoms will not occur right away and it's best to not wait until symptoms show before you take your pet to the veterinarian.

The role of heartworm prevention is thus: all our dogs and cats are constantly exposed to heartworms (check with your veterinarian if you live in a high risk area), and the prevention kills the larvae they are exposed to. If you miss a dose, that's when your pet can become infected. Once the larvae reach a certain stage, prevention will no longer be of any real use. Heartworm testing should be a regular part of your pets prevention. If you have missed a dose, don't automatically bring your pet in for a heartworm test. The test your veterinarian does in house typically only tests for the presence of adult heatworms, not the larvae. If you have missed a dose, it's best to wait 4-6 months to bring your pet in for testing. You can continue to give the prevention every month until testing.

A lot of people ask (sometimes rather indignantly) why many vet clinics either require or recommend annual heartworm testing as a part of the prevention. People say, "Well, I give Fido their pill every month, why do I have to have a heart worm test every year? Are you telling me I'm spending money on something that doesn't work?" No, you're not throwing away your money. Trust me. However, in rare cases, your pet may contract heartworms while on prevention - but it is rare. Also, if you miss a dose (and most people do not want to admit they've done so), it's wise to have your pet tested (about 4-6 months after the missed dose). However, it's good to know that Merial, the company that makes Heartgard, will pay for your pet's treatment for heartworm disease. Know that you will need to show proof that you've been buying the product, and have a record of negative testing and I believe two positive tests.  Ask your veterinarian for details. 

Another thing owners often say is, "My pet is strictly indoors. It's not exposed." Bull honkey. You probably take your pet outside to use the potty. And if you don't . . . I'm pretty sure mosquitoes get in your house. Because no matter how hard I try, I always wind up with a mosquito in my house. So even your house cat can get heartworms. But I can't force you to buy prevention, nor get a heartworm test.

If your dog tests positive for heartworms, there is treatment, although here's fair warning, it's expensive. The price for treatment can vary depending on how bad the infestation is, how many doses the pet missed, or if it had ever been on prevention. If the veterinarian believes they caught it pretty early and your dog (or cat) is showing no physical symptoms of the disease, treatment will (hopefully) be cheaper. However, be aware that treatment can run you roughly $1000, if not more. Also, your pet will need to be kept quiet for a few months during treatment. They are treated with a poison to slowly kill off the worms, and excess activity can cause harm.

Heartworm prevention can look pretty spendy, too, when you're paying for it at the vet's office. In my area, Heartgard Plus runs anywhere from $45-$90 (average) for a 1 year supply of each weight category. Break it down month by month and really, it's not that expensive compared to paying $1000 to treat your dog for the disease and be forced to keep your pet quiet/confined for a few months. Especially when you take into consideration that it is rare for any vet office to allow payment plans, so you have to typically pay for everything up front.

There are several types of heartworm prevention options out there. The type of prevention you choose will depend on you and your pet's lifestyle and the area that you live. There are two types - oral or topical; some do just heartworms, some do heartworms plus other internal parasites, and still others do that plus fleas and in some cases, ticks.

Heartgard Plus

Iverhart Plus

Sentinal

Advantage Multi

Trifexis

Revolution

Sentinal

(Click any prevention for a side by side comparison)

 
Another tip: Veterinary clinics often get "puppy/kitten packs" from their representatives, where you can get free samples of heartworm and flea prevention. Most often the doctors may only give these out if you've purchased a "puppy/kitten vaccine package", but if you ask they may go ahead and give you the samples, especially if they get more than they can give away (believe me I've witnessed that some clinics get tons!).

Another tip: Ask your veterinarian or their staff if there are any rebates on heartworm prevention available - clinics often get coupons or rebates from their representatives. Also, ask if they are offering free heartworm tests with an exam or vaccination visit, or even if you purchase heartworm prevention. Exam fees will vary greatly, but in general don't expect to pay much less than $40 for the exam, if you get a free heartworm test with that (or vaccines or buying prevention), it's probably a minimum $30 item.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, plus my own experience working in large/small animal practice as well as a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: G is for Go and Get the facts

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Go ahead. Sniff around. 

It is highly recommended that your pet go to their veterinarian on a yearly basis. Your veterinarian isn't trying to squeeze all of your hard-earned money out of your wallet, trust me. Okay, maybe there are a few of them out there. But in general, veterinarians realize that you only have so much to spend. It's just like with people, going in for regular health check-ups allows doctors to catch problems earlier, thereby allowing those problems to be remedied.

Taking your pet to the doctor every year for an annual health check does the same thing. They may be able to notice a trend over time, or see something that you don't. Also, it's a great time to ask your veterinarian questions about your pet's health, diet/nutrition, weight, vaccines, or potential surgeries.

Many people "shop around" before actually choosing a veterinarian, and that's perfectly fine. Sometimes personalities don't mesh well, or you may not like a doctor's "bed-side manner", or you may not jive with the staff, or the price just isn't right. Before choosing a veterinarian, it's always a good idea to give a clinic a call and set up an appointment to meet with the doctor(s) and get a tour of their facility.

Ask the staff questions when you get there, price shop with them, what kind of payments they accept and if they accept Care Credit as a payment option, if they accept pet insurance and how it works with their office. And when you meet the doctor ask them what's on your mind. Ask them about their surgical procedures, their recommendations on vaccine protocol, if heartworm disease is prevalent in your area, how often they see parvo, what they recommend for food, etc. Ask to see their exam rooms, their treatment area, their equipment, their lab area, their kennels, if they board pets and if so ask about their requirements and how often they have the staff walk and feed the animals, etc. Ask about the laboratory they use, how long it takes to get results for basic testing like Complete Blood Counts and Chemistry Panels for routine check-ups (also good if you have a pet that is on long-term medication like phenobarbitol which often requires annual blood work), and how they like the lab they use. Leave no stone unturned.

As they said in Dragnet, 

Go to your vet's office and get the facts. If you walk away feeling unsure or uneasy, don't go back. If you leave believing your pets are in good hands, then you just found your veterinarian.

Getting the facts can be hard. No two veterinarians operate the exact same way. No two clinics have the exact same protocol. It's important to understand why your veterinarian office does it their way. And people also have the internet, which can be a very helpful tool, but it can also steer you in the wrong direction. Your veterinarian can always recommend reputed sites that will be helpful.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, and my own experiences working in large/small animal practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challege: F is for (K9) Flu

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year, my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Yes, there is a K9 Flu. But don't worry, it's not contagious to people like Swine Flu, Bird Flu, etc. Although, while people can't get it, we can help spread it. If you unknowingly pet an infected dog and go directly home and love on Fido, you've just contaminated your dog.

The K9 Flu (H3N8) wasn't discovered in dogs until 2004. When your dog is vaccinated with his DHLPP shot every year (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvo), and if he receives a Bordatella shot (Kennel Cough), your dog already has some protection. However, this is a K9 Flu vaccine, to help prevent your dog from catching the H3N8 strain.

If your dog is going to be boarded, taken to a lot of dog parks or dog shows, it's a good idea to have your dog get his flu shot. Always check with a boarding facility as to what vaccinations they require as they may now be requiring the K9 Flu vaccine in addition to others they require.

Just like in people, the symptoms of the K9 Flu are similar to the people version including fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, runny nose, and coughing. And more often than not, it'll have to run it's course just like in people. However, you know your pet best. If see that your pet isn't drinking enough or eating enough, or the cough sounds worse, take your dog to the veterinarian. Your dog may need fluids to prevent dehydration or even antibiotics if a secondary infection such as pneumonia happens.

People often ask if their dog getting the vaccine will mean it will never get sick. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. Just like people who get a flu shot can still get the flu, your dog could still come down with the flu. However, if Fido's been vaccinated, it could lessen the severity of the his illness and it can also lessen the change that he'll shed the virus when sick, thereby not infecting other dogs. Just remember, there is no guarantee your dog will not get sick if he has been vaccinated. Prevention is always best.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, as well as my experience working in large/small animal practices and a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: E is for Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

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Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning - in Antifreeze - should be a concern of any pet owner whose animals are ever outside. The reason this toxin is so dangerous is due to it's sweet smell and taste to our furry critters. This poison can and will affect the brain, liver, and kidneys in a short period of time.

If you're concerned that your pet has ingested any antifreeze, do not induce vomiting. Call your veterinarian immediately or a poison control center and do as instructed. And remember: time is of the essence!

There are three stages of poisoning:

Stage 1: 0-12 hours after ingestion. Nervous system signs including mild depression, lack of muscle control/staggering, knuckling, seizures, hyper-excitability, stupor, and rarely coma, and death. These signs are similar to acute alcohol intoxication and resemble drunkenness. Other symptoms may include lack of appetite, vomiting, drop in body temperature, and an increase in drinking and urination.

Stage 2: 12-24 hours after ingestion. Cardiopulmonary system signs are seen including increased heart rate and respiratory rate.

Stage 3: 12-72 hours after ingestion. Kidneys are affected. Symptoms include severe depression, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure, and death.

 A veterinarian can look at your pet's urine for the presence of crystals, which is an indicator of antifreeze poisoning. Unfortunately, it can also mean other things, and can even show up in normal urine. A lab test is available, for dogs only, but that means you have to wait for the results. Most, if not all, veterinary labs will be 24 hours. The lab location I worked for was open 24 hours, as I was on night shift. As an FYI, ethylene glycol tests are considered "STAT" - meaning we have someone stop what they are doing and do it now and get the results out ASAP. I myself only had a couple of positives when I did the testing. The test is rather involved; we take the blood sample submitted, spin it down, and add various chemicals in various stages in different tubes. It takes almost half an hour to do the test properly. Even in the lab, we know that your pet is sick, and we want the test to be negative just as much as you do.

Always remember that your garage is full of toxins. If you even think your pet has ingested any toxin, call your veterinarian immediately. If it's late at night, either your vet's office will have a vet on call, or hopefully there will be a 24 hour emergency vet open. Larger cities usually have the latter option available to you, and if you're out in the country, country vet's will offer 24 hour service on an emergency basis.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, as well as my own experience working in large/small animal practices and a veterinary laboratory.