Top Pet Poisoning Causes

Every year, one of the veterinary pet insurance companies posts a list of the top poisons seen in pets. The following is a ranking, showing the most common:
1. Accidental ingestion of medications
2. Rat Poison
3. Chocolate or Caffeine
4. Plant Poisons
5. Household Chemicals
6. Snail/Slug Poison
7. Insecticides
8. Heavy Metals such as Lead or Zinc (ingesting pennies)
9. Toad Poisoning
10. Antifreeze Poisoning
11. Walnut Poisoning
12 Alcohol Toxicity
13. Strychnine
Keep this list in mind when you think of what your pet might ingest or come in contact. Call our office with questions at 770-460-0090

Microchips - One Might Just Save Your Pet's Life!

Our Governor recently signed into law a bill that will require animal shelters and similar facilities to scan a pet for a microchip before performing euthanasia. This will ensure that if your dog or cat is lost and ends up in the animal shelter or humane society, he will not loose his life before you are contacted. Microchip placement is an easy, inexpensive, and routine procedure that you can have performed at our office at any time. Although we do most of our chipping during the spay or neuter time, we can do it at any time and without general anesthesia. There are other benefits from using the Home Again Microchip. Ask anyone from our office how you can have a chip easily placed in your pet this week...and in the event he or she gets lost and found, it will only be a short time before a reunion.

Dental Health Is Important Enough To Do It Right

"Wow, does my pet's breath smell terrible!" We hear this every day at Fayette Veterinary Medical Center. MOST of the time, this bad breath is due to dental disease. Almost 100% of dogs and cats get some degree of dental disease because so many of us do not brush their teeth EVERY DAY. This is tough to do sometimes, but they build up plaque and tartar just like we do. And wow, does it build up fast when we do not care for their teeth daily. Our encouragement to you: Do not take shortcuts in treating dental disease. Most of the time, a professional dental cleaning is needed to get a fresh start at dental care. This must be done under general anesthesia. Go to our website and read an article on why you should not allow a semi-professional to clean your pet's teeth without anesthesia...the reasons may surprise you. Just click on our website and go to the RESOURSES button and then COMPANY NEWS . Here's to not only FRESH BREATH and PEARLY WHITES, but a HEALTHIER PET!

Pets Enhance Life All Around Us!

Pets have an amazing affect on people in so many ways. We all have heard how touching a pet can cause a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and calm nerves. Cancer patients have a smoother recovery with daily interaction with pets. I just read in USA today about an amazing use of a Labrador Retriever in the courtroom. When kids experience anxiety at having to testify in the courtroom, "Ellie" comes to the rescue! Just by sitting next to the child, nerves are calmed and the event goes so much better with less stress. Check out this article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-22-court-dogs_N.htm
I am filled with wonder at the power of the human-animal bond! What a great gift they can be for us.
Dr. Mike

Don't Think Fleas are Gone - Keep up your Winter Treatment!

Don't be fooled into thinking that because it is winter, all of your flea issues are gone. If you have not been using a monthly flea product like Frontline, Sentinel, or Revolution, you probably have a "bio-mass" living in the environment that your pet occupies. This "bio-mass" consists of eggs, cocoons (pupae), and larvae of the flea population. They are all "waiting" for the right conditions to pop out into adults and begin to torment you AND your pet. Give the flea product monthly all year-round and avoid this problem. Also, if you are beginning the product, expect to see fleas at least 21 days after the first application. If you do, we can give one or two doses of a supplemental product, but keep up the original product...it's working! Call us any time for advise.

Dr. Younker goes to a Tonga Village in Zimbabwe

I'm writing this from South Africa after a great mission trip to a Tonga village called Siabuwa, deep in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. I've gone with some members of my church and some others to minister to the poorest people of one of the poorest countries in the world. The Tonga people are great people and have welcomed us for many years. This year, along with teaching them about God, helping the missionary-nurse treat patients, involve children in sports ministry, and visit with the people, I was able to deworm lots of goats and teach them about caring for their animals. For a small animal veterinarian like me, this is one of the greatest thrills of my life and will go back again some day. I will return around Thanksgiving. The Tonga word for goats is "ponga". I will try to post a picture or two in my next blog.

Canine Influenza Is Here!

Canine Influenza, or "Dog Flu" is a viral disease caused by the H3N8 virus. Similar to but not the same as "Swine Flu" (H1N1), this virus was discovered in Greyhound kennels in Florida in 2004. We have seen at least 50 cases at Fayette Veterinary Medical Center. In fact, during the July 4'th season, our kennel was hit by this virus. We believe that a "stray" dog, brought to us for a check-up and discovered to be heartworm positive stayed for evaluation and treatment. During this time, this dog shed the influenza virus into the air of our kennel before becoming symptomatic with respiratory disease. Because of the extreme contagious nature of this virus, many dogs developed symptoms within 3-7 days. All dogs were treated and recovered.

Coincidentally, a vaccine for Canine Influenza was released by the FDA right after our outbreak. We have recommended that all dogs that have continued exposure to other dogs, such as boarding, grooming, dog shows, obedience classes, dog parks, etc., receive this vaccine. Go to our website: www.FayetteCountyPets.com and read more about this disease and the vaccine.