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YOUR APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER FROM LARGO VETERINARY HOSPITAL
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Pet First Aid Awareness,
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, & Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
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| April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
April 11-17: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
April 17-23: National Pet ID Week
April 22: Earth Day
April 28: International Guide Dogs Day
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BEFORE YOU GIFT A BUNNY...
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| | Cute little bunnies turn into rabbit that need regular veterinary care. Although Dr. Daniels does not treat rabbits, we would still like to responsibly remind you of the care those sweet little Easter bunnies will need.
Read these quick facts and follow the link for an informative article
- Must be provided safe shelter
- Prefer to live indoors because they cannot tolerate extreme cold or heat
- Live 7-10 years
- Are natural chewers
- Love to play so they need toys
- Should NOT be fed: beans, cucumbers, cat/dog food, chocolate, cookies, corn crackers, eggplant, green beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, beets.
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| |  As silly as it sounds Pooper Scooper Week is a nationally acknowledged full week to encourage Surely it's no coincidence that it coincides with April Fool's Day! But seriously, our dog's feces can contain a wide variety of bacteria & parasites, some of which can infect other dogs and some of which can also infect people. The risk to people and other animals is greatly reduced by prompt removal of feces and proper disposal.
If your pet poops, pick it up. There's no shame in being a responsible pet owner. Use a compostable plastic bag, seal it, trash it and wash your hands. Job done!
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BECOME AN EARTH FRIENDLY PET OWNER
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| April 22nd is Earth Day, and the perfect time to make some small changes as a pet owner that can have a big impact. Going green is more than just a trend; it benefits your pet’s health, the environment, and your wallet.
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BUY BULK TREATS - The majority of pet supply stores have bulk treat sections or display cases that you can get treats from with your own reusable containers. This reduces plastic waste, and usually ends up being less expensive than buying prepackaged options. This a great starting point for being an eco- friendly pet parent.
BUY HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS - Sometimes it can be tempting to purchase the cheapest pet products, instead of ones that are durable. Overtime though this can become more expensive and wasteful because those toys, beds, and bowls aren’t made to last very long. The more sustainable choice is to buy sturdy products that won’t wear down overtime. These items are usually safer for your pet as well, because they’re made of high quality materials.
WASTE NOT - America’s dogs and cats produce approximately millions of tons of waste per year. Much of it ends up in landfill sites, tied up in plastic bags that won’t break down for years. Dog owners should look for eco-friendly poop bags that will decompose naturally. Also, consider investing in a green waste digester that you bury in your yard like a septic tank. These products reduce dog waste to a ground absorbing liquid.
LITTER - Cat litter has a significant environmental impact, with the silica clay commonly used in supermarket brands deriving from environmentally-destructive strip mining. This is when mining companies bulldoze the surface until they find the desired mineral – a destructive process that can destroy local environment, displace wildlife due to habitat loss and contaminate water tables. This type of litter has also been linked to health problems in cats who breathe in, or ingest, the chemical-laden dust. Thankfully, eco-friendly alternatives are readily available for green pet owners including litters made from wood shavings, recycled newspaper, and even fibrous material from wheat, maize and tree-nut crops.
CLEAN GREEN - Commercial household cleaners often contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to Earth, not to mention you and your animals. Switch to all-natural products, or make your own cleaning concoctions with ingredients such as vinegar and essential oils. When it comes to cleaning your pet, commercial shampoos are hard on his skin – and the water table. Use non-toxic, organic shampoos and conditioners.
TOYS - Buy long-lasting toys where possible to avoid increased plastic waste.
Eco-friendly owners should consider sticking to ‘old fashioned’ toys like balls, string or chews to keep wasteful power usage to a minimum. Many companies also offer toys, beds and other supplies that are made of reclaimed or sustainable products.
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MEET ATHENA HOLMAN OUR APRIL PET OF THE MONTH
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| |  My name is Athena and I am a young Manx feline who was adopted from the St. Francis Society Animal Rescue. My favorite toys are a scrunchie and a laser pointer. Mom describes me as “a dog stuck in a cat’s body”. I love belly rubs and will eat just about anything, so don’t leave your plate unattended! When I’m not knocking things over around the house, I love to play fetch. I am embarrassed to admit that pretty often I fall off of the thing I climb. When I’ve finally worn myself out, I love to cuddle and lick your face. I am so spoiled that I get to sleep on my owner’s neck. |
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PET FIRST AID:
5 EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
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| In any medical emergency, the best course of action is to bring your pet to Dr. Daniels or an emergency vet office as soon as possible. If you're mentally prepared to respond to an accident, these key first-aid techniques can help you stabilize your pet until you get to a veterinary hospital. Here's what to do in the event of one of these five common emergency situations.
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- Cuts, Punctures or Bites: If your pet is bleeding profusely, cover the area with sterile gauze and a clean towel, and then apply direct pressure until a clot forms. If there's an object penetrating the wound, like a stick, do not attempt to remove it. If the wound is not bleeding, remove any debris you see and clean the area with sterile saline solution or clean water. (Remember to not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can damage the tissue.) Apply clean gauze and wrap a bandage around it to keep the area clean and stop your cat or dog from licking.
- Choking: If your cat or dog is choking, but she can still, keep her calm and get her to a vet as soon as possible. But if her tongue or gums are turning blue, and she’s in obvious distress, put your hand over the top of her muzzle and lift it up to open the mouth — but don't cover the nostrils. Use needle-nose pliers to remove an object that's clearly visible, but be careful not to force the object farther down into the throat. Use caution, because an animal in this situation may panic and bite. If that doesn’t work, lay your pet on her side, and then place your hands at the very end of her rib cage. Push down and slightly forward, applying pressure in quick, firm strokes. If you can't dislodge the object, get to the vet immediately.
- Poisoning: If you believe your pet has eaten, call your Largo Veterinary Hospital or the (888-426-4435) right away. Unless instructed to do so by Dr. Daniels or another veterinarian, never induce. Many toxins are corrosive, and vomiting may damage the esophagus or cause choking. Should a vet tell you to induce vomiting, she will provide you with a recommended dose of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, based on your dog’s weight. There are no safe and reliable at-home products that can be used to induce vomiting in cats, so always get your feline to a veterinary clinic for treatment. In either case, take your pet to Dr. Daniels as soon as possible.
- Car Trauma: If your pet gets hit by a car, lay him on a flat board and strap him down to help prevent movement. Make sure you don't put pressure on his chest, which can hinder breathing. If you suspect your pet has sustained a head injury, tilt the board so that your pet’s head is slightly above his body during transport. If you see any, do what you can to minimize excessive motion, but don't attempt to splint them. Once inside the car, cover your cat or dog with a blanket to help prevent shock. After any car trauma — even if your pet does not appear to be injured — it’s still critical you have Dr. Daniels examine him. Many animals suffer internal injuries that are not obvious, and they may be very serious if not given immediate veterinary attention.
- Seizures: If your cat or dog has a, move furniture and other objects out of the way to help prevent further injury. Do not attempt to restrain your pet and keep your hands away from her mouth. Pets will not swallow their tongues, but chances are you they will bite you. Most seizures won't last more than five minutes. Regardless of how long the seizure lasts, you need to contact Dr. Daniels immediately.
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