Man Launches Grassroots Movement Aimed at Changing New York Law: Dogs Should Be Claimed as Sentient Beings, Not Property

On a beautiful afternoon this past June, Soho resident Yves-Claude Arbour, 73, was walking up Broome Street with his 5-year-old Havanese, Sammie, and his friend Sabrina Michals. As they crossed Lafayette Street, a woman in a jeep started inching forward in anticipation of the light change, and hit the fluffy little dog, pinning her underneath the front of the car.

People on the street began to yell and pound on the jeep’s windows, urging the woman to stop, but, seemingly oblivious, she continued to inch forward, moving over the animal, who was caught between the two wheels. When the light changed, she sped off, running all the way over the poor dog. Luckily, the only part of her body that was actually hit by the wheel was a paw.

“If she had been [all the way] under one of [the wheels], she would be dead,” Michals said. “She drove right over her.”

She grabbed the pup while Arbour dashed off in pursuit of the jeep.

They rushed Sammie to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital on 15th Street, and called the police. Officers arrived at the hospital, but said they couldn’t figure out how to file a report, and three subsequent visits to different precincts revealed the same issue.

In New York state, dogs are legally considered property rather than sentient beings. Leaving the scene after injuring an animal is punishable by a fine of not more than $100 for a first offense, and not more than $150 for a repeat offender. By comparison, fines for a repeat littering offense can be $350. In 2015, France and New Zealand changed their laws to recognize dogs as feeling beings, and this past summer an Oregon court did the same.

After learning this, Arbour decided not to go after the woman who’d hit his beloved dog.

“I realized there was no real point in chasing the driver other than to confront her,’’ he said. “If I took her to small claims court, they would only give me the value of replacing her, like replacing a toaster.’’

Instead, Arbour has launched a grassroots movement aimed at changing New York law, and formed a nonprofit organization called Dogs Are Not Toasters (DANT). He’s started a petition, which already has nearly 500 signatures, and will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to hire lobbyists and lawyers.

Charles Mirisola, a Manhattan-based negligence attorney not associated with Arbour, agrees the law needs to change.

“Unfortunately, even though so many people now consider their dogs family members, under New York state law they are simply property,’’ he said. “Even if a dog is hurt by a car, or viciously attacked by another dog, the owner can’t sue for pain and suffering to the animal or himself . . . You can try to collect on veterinary bills but it would be difficult finding an attorney to take the case. I get calls about this all the time, and I have to give people the bad news.’’

After four days in the hospital, six weeks in a cast and $11,000 in medical bills, Sammie is now back to his old cuddly self, but Arbour says his crusade goes far beyond the love he has for his own pet.

“If dogs were recognized as sentient beings, they would be protected from a number of modern day issues, such as puppy mills, grooming injuries or deaths, improper medical care, inhumane scientific studies, and vehicle hit-and-runs,” Arbour said. “This is not about Sammie. It’s about changing the law.’’

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The Miracle of Animal Life: Incredible Footage Inside A Dog’s Womb

You have never seen footage quite like this, and it’s stunning. A puppy in the womb. She’s got a long way to go and yet she’s already strangely, delicately beautiful. Look at those little toes.




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What To Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Heat Stroke

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from heat stroke to the following:

1.  Get your dog out of direct heat

2.  Check for shock. Signs include: collapse, body temperature 104° F+, bloody diarrhea or vomit, depression stupor, seizures or coma, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, salivation.

3.  Take your dog’s temperature.

4.  Spray your dog with cool water then retake temperature.

5.  Place water-soaked towels on the dog’s head, neck feet, chest and abdomen, turn on a fan and point it in your dog’s direction, rub Isopropyl alcohol (70%) on the dog’s foot pads to help cool him but don’t use large quantities.

6.  Take your dog to the nearest veterinary hospital.

During a heat crisis, the goal is always to decrease the dog’s body temperature to 103° F in the first 10-15 minutes. Once 103° F is reached, you must stop the cooling process because the body temperature will continue to decrease and can plummet dangerously low if you continue to cool the dog for too long.

Even if you successfully cool your pet down to 103° F in the first 10-15 minutes, you must take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible because consequences of heat stroke will not show up for hours or even days. Potential problems include abnormal heart rhythms, kidney failure, neurological problems and respiratory arrest.

It is important to know if your pet is predisposed to dog heat stroke, which is true of dogs with short snouts such as bulldogs, pugs and many other breeds. Other common causes of heat stroke include: a previous episode of heat stroke, leaving a dog in a parked car, excessive exercise in hot, humid weather (this may be exercise that your dog can usually handle but not in warmer weather), lack of appropriate shelter outdoors, thicker-coated dogs in warm weather and underlying disease such as upper airway, heart of lung disease.


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New Legislation Passed Recently Makes Ohio One of the First States to Protect First Responders Who Administer Lifesaving Aid to Pets

Columbus, Ohio - Until a new law was passed this spring, it was against the law in Ohio, along with many other states, for firefighters or paramedics to provide basic first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires, car accidents or other crisis situations. Only licensed veterinarians could do that.

The legislation passed recently makes Ohio one of the first states to protect first responders who administer lifesaving aid to pets, companion animals or police dogs in crisis. Animal advocates say they hope the statute, which they liken to laws protecting good Samaritans who come to the aid of injured humans, removes hesitation for first responders who might have concerns about tending to injured pets.

The law will allow first responders to, without fear of liability, provide oxygen, perform mouth-to-snout resuscitation, try to stem bleeding, bandage and even administer the overdose antidote naloxone to dogs or cats that have ingested opiates. Liability has been a concern because owners of pets have sued first responders who treated animals that ended up dying.

"It's another layer of protection for the good guys," said Cory Smith, director of public policy for companion animals at The Humane Society of the United States.

Ohio's law, which follows a similar action by Colorado in 2014, came about after Bob Swickard, the director of an EMS service in a small town in northeastern Ohio, contacted state Republican Rep. Tim Ginter with concerns about a recent rash of on-duty injuries to police dogs. In seeking guidance from a veterinarian on first aid for dogs, Swickard said he found "a missed loophole" — it was clearly illegal for EMTs to treat animals. He and Ginter were especially concerned that paramedics couldn't administer naloxone to police dogs that came in contact with prescription pain pills or heroin.

"There is the possibility that a dog could get a snout full of something and go down," Ginter said. "The best that they could do before this law was to call either a veterinarian to come to the scene or call for transport."

Dr. Ed Cooper, head of emergency and critical care at Ohio State University's Veterinary Medical Center, said that as a result of the law, which takes effect Aug. 31, some veterinarians are reaching out to first responders to provide basic training, and first responders are beginning to seek it out.

"The hope in having this law passed is really just to give first responders the opportunity and extend the option without the potential for recourse to assist pets as well as people in these kinds of crisis situations," Cooper said. "So (veterinarians) certainly see it as a positive thing."

What the law doesn't do is require first responders to treat animals, nor does it now make it OK for people to call 911 when their pets get injured or sick. People should still call emergency animal hospitals in these situations.

Smith noted that with two-thirds of American households having at least one pet, it stands to reason that first responders are going to encounter injured animals on the job.

"Really, it's just about building humane communities," she said. "I think when first-response agencies and local governments and especially state governments plan around the fact that animals are such a huge part of our lives, it can only lead to good things."

In this Dec. 9, 2010, file photo, Amira Bichara, right, gasps in relief when a golden retriever rescued from a house fire begins breathing normally, as a firefighter and resident administer oxygen in Kettering, Ohio. Under a new Ohio law taking effect Aug. 31, 2016, firefighters and EMTs can provide basic first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires, car accidents or other crisis situations, treatment that only licensed veterinarians could legally provide under existing law. 

In this Oct. 24, 2008, file photo, Perkins Township, Ohio, firefighters administer oxygen to a dog rescued from a house fire in Sandusky, Ohio. Under a new Ohio law taking effect Aug. 31, 2016, firefighters and EMTs can provide basic first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires, car accidents or other crisis situations, treatment that only licensed veterinarians could legally provide under existing law. 

In this June 24, 2008, file photo, fire paramedic Kelsey Ward administers oxygen to a pet cat that suffered smoke inhalation before it was rescued from an apartment fire in Enon, Ohio. Under a new Ohio law taking effect Aug. 31, 2016, firefighters and EMTs can provide basic first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires, car accidents or other crisis situations, treatment that only licensed veterinarians could legally provide under existing law. 


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Resources To Turn To If You Are Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care For Your Dog

If you have a pet there may come a time when you will need to pay for veterinary medical bills, which, depending on the medical emergency or condition, can be astronomical. Pet insurance can certainly help cover some of the costs, if you have it. But there are times when a pet's medical emergency or illness will exceed your resources. In cases such as these, pet owners may face an agonizing choice.

With this in mind, here are some financial resources and options you can look to for help.

RedRover.org

The RedRover Relief program provides financial and emotional support to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations and resources to help victims of domestic violence escape abusive environments with their pets. They also have a program that helps with disaster relief, criminal seizures and hoarding cases.

The Pet Fund

The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care.

The AAHA Foundation

The benevolent arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the AAHA Foundation offers the AAHA Helping Pets Fund which works with AAHA-accredited veterinary practices to identify pets in need. Accredited practices may then apply for assistance from the Fund for emergency and non-elective treatment of abandoned pets and pets whose owners are facing financial hardship.

To read more on this story, click here: Resources To Turn To If You Are Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care For Your Dog

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Manchester Woman Wants Answers After Kitten Emerges from Surgery with Medical Conditions

Manchester, Connecticut - A Manchester pet owner said she brought her kitten to a local veterinarian to get spayed but wasn’t prepared for what happened when she picked her up from surgery.

Cherie Nevins said little Elvis is now lifeless and she wants answers about what happened.

Eyewitness News found that Nevins’ complaint against the Banfield Pet Hospital in Manchester was not the first. Hundreds of others like hers were uncovered.

Nevins said Elvis is now nearly 5 months old, but she’s very different.

“The cat was doing circles to the right constantly, bumping into walls, not responding to any of our voices,” she said.

Medical records show Nevins took Elvis to the vet to get spayed. The pet hospitals are located inside of Petsmart stores nationwide. There are seven in Connecticut.

The hospitals offer wellness plans for pets.

Nevins said she bought one for $40 a month.

When she picked up Elvis last week, she noticed something wasn’t right.

“They called me at 1:30 p.m. and said the cat was waking up from anesthesia and she's perfectly fine,” she said. “[I] got there at 3 p.m. and [they] handed me the cat and she was foaming at the mouth and under major distress.”

Eyewitness News called the Banfield Pet Hospital and Dr. Ari Zabell, a client advocate, provided this statement:

At Banfield Pet Hospital, we care greatly about our responsibility to providing the best care possible to our patients. Upon review of Elvis’ medical records both by us as well as by an independent specialist caring for him, it appears that Elvis experienced rare adverse effects from anesthesia during recovery. All appropriate precautions were taken with regard to Elvis’ anesthesia including proper use of drugs, monitoring, and screening for anesthesia and it appears that this adverse event was something we were not able to either predict or prevent from occurring. Our local leadership is currently working with Elvis’ family to ensure that Elvis gets the best care possible and we are hopeful that he will continue along a path towards a full recovery.

Nevins said Elvis can neither see nor hear. She has seizures and doesn’t know when she needs to go to the bathroom. She also has to be fed by hand.

“She can't eat hard food anymore, she doesn't know how to chew it,” Nevins said.

Nevins has to do that three times a day.

“I have to put the food into the bowl and put it in her mouth and constantly turn it,” Nevins said. “She can't see it.”

Not satisfied with Banfield’s explanation, Nevins said she took Elvis for a second opinion from a vet in West Hartford.

That vet told Eyewitness News that “something happened during surgery. It could have been a stroke, blood clot or lack of oxygen to the brain.”

Medical records also show that Elvis was given a leukemia shot. While some vets said that is acceptable, others don’t recommend giving the vaccine while a cat is under anesthesia.

Looking at Banfield Pet Hospital’s history, the Better Business Bureau said it had an A+ rating.

However, Eyewitness News also found more than 700 complaints from pet owners nationwide.

"My Yorkie was brought to Banfield lethargic and not feeling well,” one pet owner from Alabama wrote. “They vaccinated her with a Lyme disease vaccine. By the time we got home she was having seizures and almost died. Two weeks later she is still in the hospital..."

Nevins said she had advice for pet owners.

“They should really research their veterinarian hard before you bring them,” she said. “That's for sure.”

It’s so others don’t go through what she did.

“She ain't that cat no more,” Nevins said. “She's like a vegetable, she doesn't play.”

For information about filing a complaint against an animal hospital, users can fill out a form online here or call the state Department of Public Health.

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About 50 Veterinarian Practices Across the Country Have Gone Fear-Free to Reduce Stress for Pets

Trips to the veterinarian leave Joy so scared, she gets sick.

The black Lab-mix dog shakes and shivers, her heart rate jumps, her blood pressure spikes, her temperature rises, her eyes dilate and she cowers under anything she can get beneath.

After trying vet after vet for 14 years, the dog's owner Debby Trinen of Sandpoint, Idaho, has finally found relief for Joy's stress from a new approach to veterinary care called "fear-free."

The fear-free movement aims to eliminate things in the vet's office that bother dogs and cats — like white lab coats, harsh lights and slippery, cold exam tables — while adding things they like.

For example, a fear-free clinic "will have a big treat budget," said Dr. Marty Becker, the initiative's main cheerleader and the vet chosen to introduce it to the country. All the dogs and cats at his North Idaho Animal Hospital, where Joy now gets care, have space on their files to note favorite treats, from Easy Cheese to hot dogs.

About 50 practices across the country have gone fear-free, Becker said. Later this year, the initiative will start certifying veterinary professionals. The certification takes about 12 hours of online instruction. The movement hopes to register as many as 5,000 people this year.

Hospital certification could start in 2018, followed by animal shelters and homes, Becker said.

Heather Lewis of Animal Arts in Boulder, Colorado, which has been designing animal hospitals since 1979, says there are many ways to make veterinary offices more pleasant for pets. Among them:

• Paint walls in pastels and have staff wear pastel scrubs and lab coats. To an animal's eyes, a white lab coat is like a bright glowing beacon and can be scary.

• Remove old fluorescent lights. Dogs and cats have better hearing than humans, and the buzz from those old fixtures can bother them.

• Consider alternatives to lifting animals up on to high exam tables with cold, slippery metal surfaces. Some clinics, like Becker's, use yoga mats for animal exams.

•  For background music, choose classical. Becker and Lewis like collections called "Through a Dog's Ear" and "Through a Cat's Ear."

A fear-free vet might also use sedatives or pheromones — chemicals secreted by animals that serve as stimulants for many things, including mating — rather than muzzles or restraints to keep animals calm during treatment, Becker said.

"Twenty-five to 30 percent of pets need sedation," Becker said.

Becker introduced veterinarians to the fear-free initiative at the North American Veterinary Community convention last year. He's presenting version 2.0 at the 2016 conference beginning Saturday in Florida.

Becker, chief veterinary correspondent for the American Humane Association, has written 22 books and is doing the 23rd on the fear-free initiative.

One fear-free center is the Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio.

"We designed this clinic to look like you were going for walks in the park," said Dr. John Talmadge. "Support beams look like maple trees. I don't know if we're fooling any pets but the exam rooms look like cottages and it looks like blue sky on the ceiling. It has a very inviting feel."

He also expanded from 2,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet so he'd have room for better senior care and pain management. And for owners making end-of-life decisions for their pets, the clinic offers a private area.

"There is nothing more important than making that last treatment dignified and calming," Talmadge said.

Becker says the fear-free initiative is important because stress and anxiety cause so many problems for pets, both physical and mental.

"Once pets know fear and anxiety and stress, you can't undo it," he said, adding, "You can see it. You can smell it because dogs are stained with their own saliva from licking themselves. You can hear it and feel it."

Stress and fear can lead animals to hide the symptoms that prompted the vet visit, and may even alter their test results, said Richard A. LeCouteur, a veterinarian with a specialty in neurology and a professor emeritus at the University of California at Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine.

Talmadge says the fear-free approach is proving popular. "We have more than doubled our business through that clinic since opening (in April) and are well ahead of where we thought we would be," Talmadge said.

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A New Strain of Dog Flu Has Been Found in 25 States

A new strain of dog flu has been found in 25 states since last April including LA county. Now veterinarians are warning pet owners to be on alert.

Canine Influenza on CDC:

Canine influenza (also known as dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. These are called "canine influenza viruses." Dog flu is a disease of dogs. No human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported. There are two different influenza A dog flu viruses: one is an H3N8 virus and the other is an H3N2 virus.

The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, and fever, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.

Almost all dogs are susceptible to canine flu infection, and illness tends to spread among dogs housed in kennels and shelters. Canine flu can spread to other dogs by direct contact with aerosolized respiratory secretions (coughing and sneezing) from infected dogs, by uninfected dogs coming into contact with contaminated objects, and by moving contaminated objects or materials between infected and uninfected dogs.

More information on canine influenza in pet dogs can be found in this article: Influenza A Virus (H3N8) in Dogs with Respiratory Disease,Florida in Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, the AVMA website, and this update on the April 2015 Chicago H3N2 canine influenza outbreak. 

Please read: Key Facts about Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)

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Did You Know that Falls and Collisions with Cars Are the Most Common Ways a Cat Breaks a Bone

We usually think of cats as graceful and agile animals that can make impressive jumps. However, even the best athlete can miss. Falls and collisions with cars are the most common ways a cat breaks a bone. Attacks by other animals (and sometimes humans) can also result in bone fractures. The bones most commonly broken (or fractured) are the femur, pelvis, jaw, and tail.

What to Watch For:

The primary symptoms seen are from pain. Cats will try to hide their pain, so watch for these signs:

• Crying, howling, moaning, or growling, especially if touched
• Not walking, or not using a limb or tail
• Not eating or grooming
• Swelling or bruising at the injured area

Sometimes a broken bone will poke through the skin. This is called a compound fracture. In addition, there may be other injuries associated with the traumatic event that broke the bone, such as cuts, bruises, or disorientation.

Primary Cause:

A fracture is a crack or break in the bone caused by abnormal stress on the bone, usually from a traumatic event like a fall or being hit by a car.

Immediate Care:

The first thing to remember is that your cat is in pain, and animals in pain can bite, no matter how gentle they are normally. The second thing to remember is that an event severe enough to fracture a bone could cause shock and other not so obvious problems, some of which may not be detectable for days. Therefore, any home treatment is just to stabilize the injury until your cat can be seen by your veterinarian.

Any areas that are bleeding or where bone is sticking out should be covered with sterile gauze or a clean cloth if possible. The broken bone(s) should be disturbed as little as possible. Wrap your cat in a thick towel or put him on a rigid surface to carry him to your veterinarian.

Veterinary Care:

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will evaluate your cat’s overall health to assure that more serious problems are under control. Once your cat is stable, multiple X-rays of the suspected fracture(s) will be taken.

Treatment:

There are many factors that will determine how the fractures are treated. The most important are overall health, age, the bones broken, and the type of fracture that has occurred. A splint or cast may be sufficient for the lower leg, but not always.Often surgery will be needed to realign the bones and to place screws, pins (metal rods), wire, and/or metal plates to hold the pieces together.

Some fractures may be so severe as to require amputation, especially if the tail is involved. Fractures of the spine and pelvis will be treated by severely restricting activity (cage rest), with or without surgery. Pain medication will also be part of the treatment plan, and in some cases, antibiotics.

Other Causes:

Pathologic fractures are caused by anything that can weaken the bone, such as certain hormonal imbalances, bone infections, and bone cancer.

Living and Management:

The most important, and hardest, part of home care is restricting your cat’s activity, especially jumping. Any bandaging material will need to be kept dry. If it gets wet, especially from urine, or if there is odor or evidence of chafing, you will need to have the bandages checked and probably replaced. You also need to keep your cat from chewing on the bandages. The Elizabethan collar is the most commonly used device, but new collar styles and bandages that taste bad are also becoming more available.

Bones usually take 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Follow-up X-rays are normally taken to monitor healing. Fortunately cats seem to heal bones pretty well. Any metal parts that were surgically implanted to stabilize the bone will be left in place, unless they start causing problems.

Prevention: 

Since most breaks are caused by traumatic events, limiting access to the outdoors will minimize injuries from automobiles and animal attacks. Pay attention to where your cat likes to go inside. If he likes walking along balcony edges or making risky jumps, try to restrict access to these areas.

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What You Need to Know When the Veterinarian Releases Your Pet from the Hospital

Once your pet is out of the operating room and on his way home, it’s up to you to help him feel more comfortable, so the healing process can begin. Here, what you need to know.

When your veterinarian releases your pet from the hospital, you’ll likely receive a long list of do’s and don’ts, potential problems to look for and supplies you might need. While all of this information can be a bit overwhelming, your veterinarian and members of his staff are there to help you make it through this sometimes-difficult time.

Immediately After Surgery

Exactly how long your pet will be in the hospital depends on what type of procedure he has undergone, but if you want to see your four-legged friend, ask your veterinarian for permission. Keep in mind that the period immediately following surgery is when most complications occur, which makes it especially important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for rehabilitation and recovery. In some cases, doing so can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

Before You Leave

When your pet is ready to be discharged from the hospital, you’ll be given instructions for at-home care. Make sure that you understand what is expected of you, and if you have questions, ask if you can review them with a veterinary technician. Ask your veterinarian or technician to show you the best way to lift or support your pet when it is required.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to carry out a particular part of your pet’s at-home care, ask if your veterinarian can provide any outpatient support. You’ll likely be told when to return for a follow-up examination or have sutures removed; it’s a good idea to make the appointment at this time. Also smart: Ask about your veterinarian’s procedures for after-hours help in case you do encounter a problem.

We’re Home! Now What?

Your pet may still feel the effects of anesthesia several hours after the procedure, so he may be unsteady on his feet. If that’s the case, you may want to keep him in a quiet and contained place at first. And though your pet might want to return to his or her regular routine, you need to ensure that he gets adequate rest.

Pets recovering from surgery should only be allowed outdoors to relieve themselves, but be aware that some pets may need more frequent bathroom breaks than usual, especially if they were given fluids during surgery or hospitalization. When taking your pet outdoors, make sure that he’s urinating and defecating as expected, and keep him on a leash at all times.

If your pet is receiving medication, ensure that he receives the proper doses that your veterinarian prescribed. And since certain drugs—especially painkillers—can slow his reflexes, it’s smart to restrict your pet’s activity (keeping him from stairs and slippery floors, for example) to prevent injury.

Supervise your pet’s eating and drinking, following all instructions for special nutritional requirements. Until he’s back to normal, provide food and water in small amounts.

Sometimes, veterinarians recommend “crate rest”—keeping your pet in an appropriately sized crate to restrict activity. This can be difficult for both you and your pet if they aren’t already accustomed to being in a crate. But if your veterinarian has advised you to keep your pet in a crate, it’s vitally important to do so, even if your pet is unhappy or seems to be healing. To make this trying time easier for your pet, keep him occupied with plenty of toys and an occasional low-calorie treat. You may also want to turn on a radio or television for company, or pamper him with daily grooming, which can be a welcome distraction. Also smart: Keep your pet entertained by placing the crate in a high-traffic area where he can watch the household’s activity, unless he is easily agitated (if that’s the case, it may be a better idea to keep the crate in a quiet room).

If your cat has been confined to crate rest, a large dog crate with a small litter pan inside may provide adequate containment—just be sure to cover the slippery plastic floor with an inexpensive nonslip rug.

Monitoring Surgical Sites

Some swelling is normal immediately after surgery, but watch carefully for any signs of oozing, odors, heat, pain, excessive bruising, or redness. If something doesn’t look right, call your veterinarian immediately. And don’t allow your pet to scratch or chew at the sutures or bandage. If he does, an Elizabethan collar—also known as an “e” collar—may be necessary to prevent your pet from chewing the wound.

Recovery Times

Typically, full recovery from an extensive orthopedic surgery, such as total hip replacement, takes at least 2 to 3 months, though some dogs require 6 months of careful monitoring and rehabilitation before they reach optimal recovery. Less-invasive surgeries, such as neutering or ovariohysterectomy (spaying), may require only a matter of days or weeks for recovery.

Follow Up

It’s critical to keep all recommended follow-up appointments so that your veterinarian can monitor your pet’s progress. If sutures were used, your veterinarian may need to remove them. If a cast was placed, your veterinarian will want to check it periodically and eventually remove it. Radiographs (“x-rays”) or other tests may be scheduled to assess healing.

Your veterinarian may also prescribe physical therapy, including massage and hydrotherapy, which can be helpful to your pet’s recovery.

~ Source: Reviewed by a Veterinarian~

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Christmas Can Be a Hazardous Time for Our Pets

Now that the festive holiday season is upon us and we are all rushing around with a million things to do, it is important not to forget that Christmas can be a hazardous time for our pets.

The top 5 reasons pets visit a Veterinarian on Christmas Day:

•  Gastritis / Enteritis
•  Foreign body ingestion
•  Soft tissue trauma
•  Lacerations or bite wounds
•  Chocolate poisoning

It is very tempting to give the dog the remains of the Christmas turkey, just remember bones can and do kill. When bones are cooked they become very brittle and when the dog chews them they splinter into needle sharp pieces. These pieces can become stuck in the stomach or intestines and can perforate the bowel, which is life threatening. Uncooked bones can have the same effect as cooked bones so it is best to avoid bones all together. If the bowel becomes perforated the insides of the abdomen become infected. A surgical procedure is the only way to remove bones from the intestinal tract. Christmas meals often produce a lot of fatty left over's and the family pet often ends up being given these. Excessively fatty foods can cause pancreatitis which is inflammation of the pancreas. It is very painful and requires intensive care for the animals' intestinal system to get back to normal.

Take care with floral arrangements and plants especially if you have a cat; all Lilies are toxic to cats and the pollen can easily get on their coats if they brush past an arrangement, they can then ingest the toxins when they groom themselves. Poinsettias are also a common addition to the home at Christmas; they are also toxic to your pet if ingested.

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon "collar" but beware that this could become a choking hazard. Also, it's best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won't be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights may be another source of danger to your curious pets. Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution. If you have candles on display, place them in a hard to reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and skin.

Many households hang chocolate treats on the tree or wrap presents containing chocolate and place them underneath the tree. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats it contains a substance called theobromine. Dark chocolate is the worst as it contains a greater concentration of theobromine. Dogs especially are attracted to the smell of chocolate treats. It is important not to leave any chocolate treats in reach of pets, remember to shut them out of the room where the tree is when you go to bed or go out.

Christmas trees are more dangerous to pets than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten; they are also toxic to pets. Pine trees can also be a cause of skin irritation in pets with skin allergies. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand for the tree has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your pet isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Cats love to play with string and tinsel is even more attractive as it sparkles. Tinsel can get stuck in the digestive tract if ingested causing serious problems for your pet and often requiring an operation to remove it.

Some pets love the attention of visitors; others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your pets feelings & give the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise; this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.

Christmas is a time of year to celebrate and be with family, the last thing anyone would want is to be stuck in a Veterinary Clinic on Christmas day. Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season! If you have any other questions please feel free to give the Veterinary Clinic a call, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

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Woman With No Family Looses Everything in House Fire: Needs Donations for Help with Vet Bills for Pets Burned in Fire

Sharing from: For The Love Of Alex Inc.

Massachusetts: A terrifying nightmare in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning as an apartment building caught fire and residents had to flee for their lives. In the ensuing horror, resident Katy lost all sight of her two beloved kitties Mister and Gus.

The building was destroyed in the fast moving blaze, and Katy, losing everything, feared she had lost the loves of her life as well. In the hours and days that followed Katy posted and searched tirelessly for any sign of Gus and Mister. She soon learned that Mister, her 9 year old Russian Blue mix, had been found by nearby neighbors, terribly burned, and taken to a local vet clinic.

Katy rushed to the clinic only to find her sweet Mister lying suffering with no help. She whisked him away to a different hospital, where surgery was performed. Katy was able to find a little help locally for Mister, but sadly not nearly enough. And as Mister struggles now with infection, more procedures needed, and a lot of long-term care and pain management needed, Katy is $1000 in the hole with the hospital, only a few dollars to her name and denied credit, and desperately needs our help to assure Mister the life-saving care he needs.

We spoke with the hospital, they have agreed to keep Mister in for another week.. on the condition we overnight $2100 for his past due bill and current estimate. I said of course we will. Now I need your help to make good on that promise.

Beyond that, Gus was never found. In a few moments I will do a separate post for Gus. I wish for Katy so much that we would find Gus. He may be out there, he may be badly injured and suffering. We need to know, and to help him if we can.

Lastly, this young lady has lost everything and has no family. Gus and Mister are her family. And it's Christmas. We would like to raise enough funds to give Katy a generous gift card from both Macy's and WalMart so that she can replace just a few of the personal items so badly needed, and know that there are many good people in this world who care when others suffer, and reach out to help.

Please help us give Katy, Mister, (and paws crossed very, very tightly, Gus), an Alex's Angel Christmas.

Please help Mister with any donation possible at http://fortheloveofalex.org/donate.html. Please type Mister in the Referred By box (if using our secure Acceptiva major credit cards/echeck page) or in the Note/Message to Seller Box (PayPal). Depending on the payment method, Paypal also asks the pet's name on the donation review page after you enter all your info.

The address for mailed donations is also at the link. Thank you so much for your helping Mister and Katy. For The Love Of Alex Inc is an all volunteer, 501c3 organization, helping pets in urgent need of veterinary care and the families who love them.

About: For The Love Of Alex Inc.

For The Love Of Alex Inc. is a nonprofit corp dedicated to funding charitable, life-saving veterinary care for pets in need whose families cannot afford the care. With the help of kind donors like you, we save precious lives & un-break families' hearts.

Website: For The Love Of Alex Inc.

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American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Responds to Washington Post Op-Ed Critical of Veterinarians

On April 21, the Washington Post ran a commentary from Peter Fenton that made allegations that veterinarians are intentionally bilking clients on pet medical care. We wrote the following response and submitted it to the Post the same day the article was run, but they chose not to publish our response. Therefore, we’re posting it here. Please feel free to share. You can also view the commentary here and add your own opinions in the comments section.

Peter Fenton’s article, “Vets are too expensive, and it’s putting pets at risk,” described every pet owner’s greatest fear, a life-threatening injury and the inability to pay for its care. We know that this situation is a reality for many pet owners. However, we object to any suggestion that veterinarians are primarily motivated by anything other than providing the best care possible to their patients. As with Mr. Fenton’s cat Orangey, sometimes veterinarians are forced to perform only the essential procedures needed to save an animal’s life. We’re glad that Orangey appears to have made a full recovery as a consequence of the care he received from his veterinarian.

To read more on this story, click here: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Responds to Washington Post Op-Ed Critical of Veterinarians FOLLOW US!

Camp Springs, Maryland - Coolridge Animal Hospital: Yard Sale/Bake Sale – Saturday, May 2nd - 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We are raising funds for our 'Memorial Rainbow Bridge Rock Garden', to celebrate the lives of all our fur babies who have crossed over.

This Saturday, May 2nd, we will be having a yard sale/bake sale. We will also have a raffle running the for the next week for a years supply of Heartworm and Flea/tick prevention (this is a $200.00 value). 

The first picture below is the current garden in front of the exit doors. We plan to plant two willow trees ( pictured below), and provide our clients with a bench to sit, along with stones to decorate and fill our garden with the wonderful memories of their fur babies who have crossed.

Once completed we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony, we are currently trying to seek a clergy who would be willing to come out, and bless our garden the day of the ribbon cutting, if anyone knows someone they could recommend, please contact us.

WHAT: Yard Sale/Bake Sale

DATE: Saturday, May 2, 2015
               
TIME: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Coolridge Animal Hospital
6801 Old Branch Ave
Camp Springs, Maryland
(301) 449-1610

Raffle Tickets:
Raffle has begun purchase your $1.00 ticket from now til April 30th, winner will receive 1 year ( 12 months) of Heartworm/flea/tick prevention, for your K-9 or Feline fur baby, this is a $200.00 value. 

All proceeds will ge going towards our Rainbow BridgeMemorial Garden.

Website: Coolridge Animal Hospital

As they say "One man's junk is another man's treasure!"

There is truly something for all at our yard sale!

                                       We will be planting these:

We are thrilled our memorial garden is coming together. We have already received one of our trees.

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