Pond water & your pet

Pond water and your pet

did you know that the water in ponds, streams and creeks may be harmful to your pets?

It's true, in untreated water sources such as streams, creeks, rivers and ponds

bacteria & other micro organisms will occur naturally as part of the ecosystem.

The biggest concern about letting your pet drink from these sources

is that could get several diseases from the various lifeforms in the water.

One of the most common water borne disease is a Protozoan Parasite called Giardia 

and that can cause acute diarrhea, and also in humans it is also called Beaver Fever.

Another disease is caused by the Leptospirosis Bacteria. Lepto is spread through

the urine of animals carrying the bacteria. The disease, if left untreated, can cause

kidney and liver failure, and make the animal very ill. This disease is also Zoonotic

meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. 

Therefore care must be taken if pets contract this disease that it does not spread to the family.

Especially prone to infection are young children and elderly adults

as their system may be easily compromised.

We recommend that you avoid letting your pets drink from these water sources, but if you believe your dog or cat would be at risk at contracting Leptospirosis please contact your vet.

 

BED BUG INFORMATION

                    A bit of information that you might like to know about.  A friend of ours is an entomologist (insect expert), and has been telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occuring in America.

Recently I have heard on the news that several stores have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey.  He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside  of America, even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from all over the world  The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing.

He recommends that IF YOU BUY ANY NEW CLOTHING, even under ware and socks, sheets, towels, etc. that you bring them into the house and PUT THEM IN YOUR CLOTHES DRYER FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES.  THE HEAT WILL KILL THEM AND THEIR EGGS.  DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. 

It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S.  They still get shipments from all over the world and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter.  That is the reason why so many stores, many of them clothing stores have had to shut down in NYC and other places.   All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and you will wish you had never heard of them before you get rid of them.  He travels all over the country as an advisor to many of these stores, as prevention and after they have the problem.

STINGING INSECTS OUCH!

"Oooooh the pain! a wasp stung my nose!"

OUCH! STINGING INSECTS HURT YOUR PETS

Be wary of your pets and stinging insects! Although it may be fun to watch our pets chase a bug across the floor or yard, it could potentially sting your pet. In some cases, we are none the wiser that they have been stung, as they show no signs other than being startled at the time of the sting; in other cases it is more problematic as our pets could have an allergic reaction to the sting and could develop hives on their torso and legs, and even have their muzzle swell causing pain and discomfort.

If you think your pet could be reacting to an insect bite/sting, please call your veterinarian clinic

Help stop animal abuse in movies

I  received this and think is worth sharing and there is a link at the bottom to the article on the net.    Everyone can form their own conclusions, tho I feel there is some truth to this.    If you agree, please keep forwarding.

 PLEASE – READ BELOW … and then … DO NOT SUPPORT THESE MOVIES … OR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM! Why should they ‘get rich’ on the backs of suffering animals????!!

Additionally, please spread the word … all over the country.  Remember, a committed group CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – although, sadly, not for these animals.

One of the dirty little secrets is the abuse of animals in movies.  Patch reports that on Wednesday, activists protested the premiere over animal abuse allegations. Tweet, the giraffe, collapsed and died after wrapping his 'Zookeeper' scenes. According to PETA, "Tweet spent the last few months of his life confined to a 20-foot-by-20-foot stall, which was barely large enough for the 18-foot-tall giraffe to lie down in. In their natural habitat, giraffes live in vast home ranges of up to 400 square miles. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that an elephant named Tai was abused by trainers. Video footage showed Tai and other elephants being beaten with bull hooks and receiving electric shocks, screaming out in pain. The animal was featured in the film "WATER  FOR ELEPHANTS" and is reportedly in "Zookeeper" as well. Tai's abuse outraged viewers and animal rights activists, prompting a lawsuit against the training team and a reward offered for reporting abusive trainers. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/09/zookeeper-premiere-picket-peta_n_893996.html Carol Johnson"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer Don't buy while they die!

Veterinary Clinic now accepting "exotic" and "pocket" Pets

Pine Ridge Veterinary Clinic
483 Ontario St., Cobourg, Ontario, K9A 3C1
905-372-2721 prvet@eagle.ca www.pineridgevet.com

Attention exotic & pocket pet owners!

We are happy to inform you that Dr. Karen McKenzie is now accepting “exotic” and “pocket” pets as patients such as hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, budgies, cockatiels, parrots, snakes, lizards etc.! Dr. McKenzie has several years experience treating & handling exotic pets in the Toronto area before coming to the Northumberland County area, including Cobourg and Port Hope Ontario. Currently we are accepting appointments for exotic pets on most Friday afternoons & Saturdays. So, if you have a small mammal, reptile or avian friend give us a call to book your appointment to see Dr. McKenzie!

Still got that itchy, scratchy feeling??
It could be allergies!
With the summer weather now on us we have been seeing an increasing number of pets with seasonal allergies! If you've noticed your pet itching more than usual, or they have unusual pimples, or you have noticed a reddening of their skin,
give us a call for an appointment so we can determine what’s bugging your pet

TODAY I RESCUED A PERSON! picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010 picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010 My eyes met hers as she walked down the hall looking into the kennels. I knew instantly she needed help and I had to help her. I wagged my tail excitedly so she would notice me. When she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from the little "accident" I had at the back of my cage, I didn't want her to know the shelters helpers were far too busy and I hadn't been out of my kennel today, they do the best they can.... As she was reading my kennel card I hoped she wouldn't feel sad about my past, I have the future to look forward to and I want to make a difference in someone's life! She got on her knees and made loving and soothing sounds to me so I put my shoulder and side of my head against the bars to help comfort her. She gently caressed my neck. I knew she desperately needed my companionship, a tear rolled down her cheek as I raised my paw to tell her that everything would be alright. Soon my kennel door opened and her eyes and smile were so loving and bright I instantly jumped right into hers arms! I promised her I would keep her safe and I promised to always be with her as long as she needed me. I promised her I would do everything I could to see that loving beautiful smile and sparkle in her eyes.   I was so lucky that she came to the shelter today, there are so many more people out there who haven't walked down the hall, so many more to be saved. At least I could save one person. TODAY, I RESCUED A PERSON!

HEATSTROKE!

picture copyright of Kim Malonie 2009

Heat stroke!

Temperatures in cars can heat up to dangerous levels within a few short minutes! (even with windows cracked open!)

 Did you know it can take between 10 to 60 days for pets to acclimatize to summer temperatures? If higher temperatures are forecast, plan ahead for your pets! Keep plenty of water available, and if your pets go outdoors, make sure there is a cooler/shaded area they can reach so they can escape the heat.  

You can even have a doggy swimming pool for them to cool themselves (a gentle hosing off can work well too!) Keep exercise and vigorous play at a limited level during the day; try to exercise them during the cooler morning or evening hours. If you must exercise during the daytime, stop frequently for water breaks.

On a hot day be mindful of heatstroke; some of its early signs include: lethargy, panting, lack of appetite, stiff gait, vomiting or diarrhea after exercise and/or heat exposure. If your pet is showing any of these sign put cold wet cloths under their "arm pits" and on their bellies and around their necks, and if this doesn't seem to help them take to a vet asap.