JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2013

CANINE PARVOVIRUS

Parvovirus is one of the most common severe dehydration. The parvovirus also and severe gastrointestinal diseases of attacks the bone marrow, which is where INSIDE THIS ISSUE: dogs. Parvovirus is considered ubiquitous the white blood cells that fight infection are F A Q : 2 (present everywhere). This means that produced. This leads to a decline in the VACCINATIONS EVERY puppy or unvaccinated dog is at risk animal’s white blood cells, so they are no

ASK THE VET 2 for the disease, even if they never leave the longer able to fight off the bacterial infec- back yard. tions arising from the compromised intes- Parvo is spread by direct or indirect con- tines. Sepsis, or infection throughout the SUMMER WARNINGS 3 tact with infected feces. Adult dogs may be blood stream, may result. Sepsis and dehy- infected carriers without showing any clini- dration may lead to death, in as little as CLINIC NOTES 4 cal signs. Parvo is highly contagious to un- 48-72 hours of onset of clinical signs. protected dogs and the virus can remain Treatment is primarily aimed at correct- “FREQUENT FLYER” 4 PROGRAM/ NEW infectious in ground contaminated with fe- ing dehydration and preventing fatal infec- F A C E S cal material for months, if conditions are tion. For a mildly infected dog (usually an FEATURED BREEDS 5 favorable. The virus is extremely hardy in adult), outpatient care may be all that is the environment, withstanding wide tem- needed. Severely affected pets (typically SUMMER SPECIALS 6 perature fluctuations and most cleaning puppies), generally require hospitalization agents. Parvo can be brought home to your and additional therapy. dog on your shoes, hands and clothes. Your puppy should be vaccinated against After exposure, it takes 3-14 days (usually parvovirus. Vacci- P A R V O S Y M P T O M S 5-7 days) for signs to develop. Common nations begin at 6 clinical signs of parvovirus infection include to 8 weeks of age, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, with booster shots • Vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea is often severe every 3 to 4 weeks • Diarrhea and bloody. A puppy showing any of these until your puppy is signs should be seen by a veterinarian im- 16 to 18 weeks • Lethargy mediately. Parvovirus attacks the tissue lin- old. After that, an- ing the intestinal tract, which is what causes nual or tri-annual boosters maintain immu- • Dehydration bloody diarrhea. This also leads to a break- nity. It's best to avoid taking your puppy to • Loss of appetite down of the tissue barrier preventing intesti- areas with a lot of other dogs (such as the nal bacteria from entering the blood stream. dog park or pet stores), until he or she • Possible fever Vomiting and diarrhea, combined with not completes the vaccination period and has eating or drinking well, often leads to rapid, full immunity. Page 2

FAQS: VACCINATIONS good for 3 years. I just got a new puppy/kitten. When do I need to get DAP : After the last vaccine at 16 weeks, it will need them vaccinated? to be boostered one year later. Subsequent boosters You should start vaccinating your pet when they are are given every 3 years. 6-8 weeks of age. After the first of the vaccines, they Bordetella: Depending on the type of stress and ex- need to be boostered every 3 weeks until they are 16 posure, bordetella can be good for either 6 or 12 weeks old. months. Please discuss with the vet. Feline HCP: After the initial kitten series, it will need Why do puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines? to be boostered one year later. Subsequent boosters We vaccinate multiple times in order to protect your are given every 3 years. pet after the antibodies that were transferred by the Feline FELV: The feline leukemia vaccine is given an- mother wear off. This happens at different times in nually. After the first vaccine and booster, please dis- each animal, so vaccinating multiple times ensures cuss with your doctor. your pet can mount its own permanent antibody re- sponse against disease. What is “DAP?” This combination vaccine protects against the vi- How long does it take for vaccines to work? Vaccines ruses Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvo. do not stimulate immunity immediately after they are administered. In most animals, disease protection I don’t board my dogs, so do I need to get the borde- does not begin until five days after vaccination. Full tella vaccine? protection from a vaccine usually takes up to fourteen We generally recommend that any dog that comes days. into contact with other dogs be protected with the bor- detella vaccine. For boarding, grooming or day care, How long are the vaccines good for? you will need proof of a current bordetella vaccine. Rabies: After the first vaccine, it will need to be Additionally, it is important that your dog be protected boostered one year later. All subsequent boosters are if it visits parks or goes on walks. Discuss the lifestyle of your pet with your vet.

ASK THE VET

I am travel- For travel out- not showing signs of a When mak- Q: A: side the state disease that could be ing an ap- ing out of or country, a health cer- passed to other animals pointment for state with my pet tificate, dated within 10 or to people. Certain vac- a health cer- days of departure, is re- cinations must be up to tificate, – do I need a quired. Your pet must be date for a health certifi- schedule it within 10 health certifi- examined by a veterinar- cate to be issued. Re- days of travel and make ian in order for a health quirements vary by loca- sure you bring the desti- cate? certificate to be issued. tion so it is best to re- nation address with you, This certificate basically search and find out what as it is required on the indicates your pet is is exactly required where certificate. healthy to travel and is you are going. VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 Page 3

SUMMER WARNINGS

Now that summer weather is here, many people are enjoying the sunny days outside with their pets. As tempera- tures soar, we should take special precautions to protect our animals from heat-related and summer emergencies.

HOT PAVEMENT: Always check the temperature of pavement before letting your dog walk on it. As a basic ‘rule of paw,’ if the pave- ment feels too hot for your bare feet, it is too hot for Fido’s. Do this test: press your own bare hands or feet on sunny pavement for at least 7-8 seconds to assess heat level. If it is uncomfortable for you, then it is too hot for your dog!

HEAT STROKE: While most of us are aware of the risk of overheating when pets are left in cars, many pet owners don't realize that ani- mals can suffer heatstroke during normal, day-to-day activ- ity. Heatstroke occurs when a pet cannot pant away enough of the heat building up in his body. When it is hot outside, restrict exercise to early morning hours, and after the sun goes down. Pets need access to cool water at all times, and care should be taken not to leave pets tied or penned in places where they cannot find shade, even for a short time. Keep pets indoors during the hottest times of the day. Pet owners should be aware that heatstroke is a true emergency. Symptoms can include excessive panting and drooling, glazed eyes or staring, confusion, staggering, vomiting, and bright red or purplish tongue and gums. If you suspect that your pet may be overheated, wet him thoroughly with cool (not ice-cold) water and place him in front of a fan. Contact your veterinarian immediately , or take your pet to an animal emergency clinic if your regular animal hos- pital is closed.

444ththth OF JULY: The fourth of July can be a festive time of year, but it can be a scary time for pets. The loud noises of fireworks, bottle rockets, and other noise-makers can easily startle pets because their ears are more sensitive than ours. Often when pets are scared, their behavior will change and may be quite unpredictable. Around the house, there are some preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the stress on your pet. Close all doors and windows to help muffle outside noise. The firework bangs can sound louder than thunder to your pet. The bursts of light can also scare your pet, so keep all blinds or curtains drawn. It may even help to turn on a TV or radio to drown out the other noises in your neighborhood. Despite all the precautions you take, your pet may still escape and/or get lost. It is during the Fourth of July holiday that the local shelters see the highest increase in lost dogs and cats. Make sure your pet has proper ID tags with a current phone number and/or ad- dress. A microchip is another wonderful and PERMANENT form of identification. Many ani- mals lose their collars when they escape, but the microchip will always be there! Page 4

CLINIC NOTES

♦ Make sure you provide one of the reception- ♦ Labwork turnaround time varies due to the ists with your current e-mail address, which tests ordered. The doctor or technician will call will allow you access to PetPortals . This al- you with results once they are received. lows you 24/7 access to your pet’s medical records as well as the ability to request ap- ♦ Please notify a receptionist if there are any pointments and medication refills online and changes to your phone number, address or more! Your privacy is respected and your in- email. formation will not be shared. ♦ If you love the care and service at All Crea-

♦ It is our policy to require 24 hour notice on tures, please refer a friend. When they provide all medication refills. Your understanding your name during their first visit, your account and cooperation with this matter is appreci- will automatically be credited $25 and they will ated. also receive $25 off their first visit!

NEW FACES AT ALL CREATURES “FREQUENT FLYER” PROGRAM

The two newest faces at All Creatures are Jessica G. and Brittany. Jessica joined our team last October. She pre- We are excited to an- viously interned at All Creatures while she was nounce Dr. Ingram’s finishing her schooling. After receiving her Certi- “Frequent Flyer” Program fied Veterinary Technician certification, she for our feathered friends. worked at a clinic in the east valley before find- When you buy 5 “bird ing her way back to All Creatures. She and her groomings” (wings, nails, husband are proud parents to their 9 month old beak trim), you will re- daughter. ceive the 6th one free! Brittany has joined Carrie and Courtney in the At your next visit, make front office. She has 7 years of experience work- sure you ask for a punch card to keep track of ing at another animal clinic in the west valley. your grooming visits. She enjoys spending her free time with her hus- band and their 2 cats. Page 5

FEATURED BREED: WEIMARANER

Weimaraners are affec- house. out how to get into trouble all friend. tionately called Weims or Weimaraners aren't the on their own! Their life span is gener- Grey Ghosts. Part of their breed for everyone, however. Weimaraners are independ- ally between 11-13 years. appeal lies in their sleek These dogs have a great deal ent thinkers and will con- Arizona Weimaraner Rescue grey coat and light amber or of energy and stamina and stantly test your boundaries. blue eyes. But there's far need a lot of Training should be gen- www.arizonaweimaranerrescue.com more to the Weimaraner exercise and tle and firm, however, than his distinctive appear- mental stimula- because harsh treat- ance. The elegant, aristo- tion. Without it, ment will make him re- ENERGY cratic dogs are loving and they're likely to sentful. TRAINABILITY devoted. become nervous Once he's trained, the GROOMING A Weimaraner's first de- and high-strung. Weimaraner is a versa- WATCHDOG sire is to be with his people, They can be tile dog who can be an EXERCISE preferably within touching quite a handful, up-close-and-personal CHILDREN range. They'll lie at your feet with loads of energy to burn, hunting companion, compete or follow you through the and the intelligence to figure in agility, and be a fine family

FEATURED BREED: BURMESE Burmese are amusing, play- people-oriented. more placid. Females weigh between ful, and super-smart, the per- Breeders report tempera- The Burmese cat breed is a 8 and 10 pounds and fect interactive cats for your ment differences between medium sized cat with a males average between 10 family. Devoted cats, Bur- males and strong, well muscled and and 12 pounds. mese are loyal and females. The compact body. The coat is females are short, silky and shiny and HALO Animal Rescue ACTIVITY highly curious, does not require much http://www.halorescue.org active, and grooming other than a weekly AFFECTION very emotion- brushing to remove loose Cow Cats Pet Adoption VOCALITY ally involved hair. Burmese comes in four http://www.cowcats.com INTELLIGENCE with their fam- colors, led by sable and fol- AZ Humane Society INDEPENDENCE ily. The altered males love lowed by champagne, blue http://www.azhumane.org GROOMING their humans too, but are and platinum.

FEATURED CREATURE: LEOPARD GECKO

Leopard geckos are nocturnal ground dwelling lizards that originate from desert areas in Afghani- stan, Pakistan, and western India. They are one of only a few species of geckos that have eyelids, which help keep their eyes clean in their dusty natural environment. They are very popular pets, in part because of their ability to thrive in captivity but also because of their docile dispositions, their openness for being handled and their charming perso n a l i t i e s . Adult leopard geckos will grow to around 9 inches, with males typically being larger than females and when cared for properly have been known to live up to 20-years in captivity. CURRENTCURRENT SPECIALS!SPECIALS!

• $20 off every microchip placement through the end of June!

• Heartworm Testing- $29.50

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