skyline

Hot Car Dangers

dog-heat-strokeLeaving your pets in the car does not seem harmless as you quick run into the store. However it can be very dangerous for your pet. With the windows cracked in 80 degree weather it can heat up to 99 degrees in 10 minutes!

Check out this article for more information about the dangers of leaving your pet in a car.

Visit: http://veterinaryha.org/blog/item/396-hot-car-dangers

 

 

Canine Flu Update

Reports of the Canine Flu Virus being in Minnesota have now been confirmed. Friday, June 19th, the Animal Humane Society in St. Paul has confirmed that one of their dogs has come up positive for the virus. Currently they are working on testing and treating all dogs that may have been exposed to the infected dog. To read more about the case at the St. Paul Animal Humane Society please click here.

Here at Skyline Veterinary Hospital we are recommending that if your pet(s) are showing any signs of coughing, fever, sneezing, or upper respiratory infection that you call (763-574-9892) and make and appointment and possibly have your pet tested for the Canine Flu. We are also recommending that you keep your dog up-to-date on Distemper (DHPP) and Rabies vaccines, as well as considering getting the Bordetella vaccine (for Kennel Cough) if your pet leaves your house and is around other pets. The Canine Flu is very contagious and we recommend that you keep your dogs out of dog parks and away from large groups of dogs where you do not know the health and/ or vaccine status of the other dogs.

For more information of the Canine Flu Virus please click here.

If you have any questions please call our staff at 763-574-9892

Blue- Green Algae Warning

Algae is common in our lakes and rivers, but at high levels a type called Blue-Green Algae can form and make people and our pets sick. If you see algae in the water and it looks “pea soupy” and has a smell keep out of the water. Blue- Green Algae can cause a fever, vomiting, irritation to skin, eyes, and nasal passages. If you or your pet have come in contact with Blue- Green Algae contact your doctor or veterinarian. For more information on Blue- Green Algae click here.

Vomiting Dog Info

Dogs vomit occasionally for a variety of relatively benign reasons – to expel something unwanted from their stomach, as a result of gastric irritation or in response to colonic stimulus, for example. Prolonged, unrelenting vomiting or regurgitation, however, can be the sign of a serious condition, anything from head trauma or toxin exposure to pancreatic cancer or gastrointestinal obstruction.

Tularemia Found in a Cat

Tularemia was confirmed in a cat from Dakota County (Apple Valley area) on July 1st, 2014. Tularemia is a zoonotic disease (can affect a wide range of animals and humans) that is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. Tularemia can be transmitted by horseflies, ticks and through contact with infected animals (though it is not transmitted person- to- person).  Dogs are relatively resistant to the infection, however, cases have been reported. Cats that are outdoor or outdoor/indoor cats are at higher risk and can get infected with after hunting an infected rodent or rabbit, however, tularemia has been reported in indoor cats that have no obvious exposure. Clinical signs, in animals, are usually high fever, lethargy, lymphadenopathy and ulcerations of the tongue and palate. This cat is only the fifth cat to be reported in Minnesota since 2008.  Humans can also acquire tularemia, though it is not transmitted person-to-person.  The incubation period for tularemia in humans is generally 2-5 days (range, 2-14 days). Acute symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, joint and muscle pain, headache, and nausea. Please consult your healthcare provider and notify MDH if you have symptoms consistent with tularemia and have recently cared for a suspect tularemia patient.

January POTM, Rawhides=)

January Product of the Month

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Does your dog love rawhides? We have a rawhide available that they will love AND it will help their teeth! Our Dentahex Oral Care Chews are easy to digest, processed without formaldehyde, and are coated with Chlorhexidine that helps protect the teeth from plaque build up. Together the natural abrading action of the rawhide and Chlorhexidine help remove plaque and prevent buildup of tartar forming bacteria. Talk to you staff today about getting a bag of Dentahex Oral Care Chews for your dog today!

Pet Odor Removal Candles

 

candles

 

 

Pet Dental Month is Here!

February and March are Pet Dental Awareness months.  And as you know, Dr. Ryan Speltz is trained in advanced dentistry for our pets and has written a wonderful article to give us all good ideas on how to take care of our pets’ teeth.  Please click here to read the article – Dr. Ryan’s Pet Dental Care Article.