We're Open on Labor Day! Plus Summer Holiday Pet Tips

Summer time is coming to an end. While the official last day of summer isn't for another few weeks, Labor Day weekend certainly feels like the last hurrah of the long, lazy days in the sun. 

We wish all of our clients and their pets a safe and wonderful holiday weekend! As a reminder - we are here if you need us. We will be open on Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd from 8am to 8pm.

Keep reading for some summer time pet safety tips for warm weather, pools, barbecues, hiking, camping and more! 

 

     

Summer Holiday Pet Tips:

Warm Weather

Make sure your pets have access to plenty of fresh, cool water at all times. If the days are warm it is important to provide them with shade and shelter from the heat.  The best option is to keep your pets indoors during the heat of the day. Access to fresh water is important whether they are indoors or outside. Try taking your dog on a walk early in the day or at sunset when the temperature is cooler. Dogs can burn the pads of their feet on the hot concrete and can suffer from heat stroke, which is a veterinary emergency. See our document Hot Weather Tips: A Guide to Keeping Your Pet Cool.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

Excessive panting

Difficulty breathing

Increased heart and respiratory rate

Drooling

Weakness, stupor, and possible collapse

Seizures

Bloody diarrhea

Vomiting

Flat nosed breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persians are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. Other pets at high risk include the elderly, overweight pets, and pets with heart or lung disease. If you think your pet may be suffering from heat stroke, get them to a vet immediately. In the interim you can try to cool them off by dousing them with cool (but not COLD water) especially on the groin, arm pits, and paws. You do not want to soak them completely with cold water. This can cause shock and can also cause the blood vessels to constrict, thereby trapping heat inside the body. 

Never leave your pet unattended in the car. The result can be devastating for your pet; even with the windows slightly cracked. Remember that it is against the law in California to "confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health...of an animal due to heat...lack of adequate ventilation…or other circumstances that could...be expected to cause suffering...or death to the animal." If you come across this situation contact the police right away or Contra Costa Animal Control at 925-335-8300 and select option #1.

Pool Parties & Barbecues

Do not leave your pet unsupervised by the pool or any other bodies of water. Even swim savvy pets can get tired and struggle to keep afloat. Better yet - get your dog a special life jacket!

Avoid feeding your pet any human foods or scraps from the grill. Bones pose many dangers, including chocking and intestinal obstruction. Fatty, sugary, and greasy food can cause pancreatitis.  This is a serious illness that often requires hospitalization. Keep alcohol out of reach. Alcohol is poisonous to pets and can cause severe stomach upset. Be especially aware of the grease trap on your grill - dogs love to lick it clean. Make sure you clean it out before they do! 

Make sure your pet has a safe and secure room. This is especially important if you are having a party. This room should be off-limits to guests. Set it up so that it is quiet and escape proof with plenty of fresh water. Place their favorite things in the room such as toys and a bed. If the safe room is for a cat, make sure to place a litter box in the room. This should be a place for your pet to feel secure when things get noisy as the night goes on. Some people like to leave a TV or radio on to help counter act loud party noises or to provide familiar sounds for your pet if you are away.

If you are having guests over, remember to inform them that you have pets and to keep all doors and gates closed at all times. Make sure your pet has a collar with a current idea and is micropchipped! It is not uncommon for indoor kitties and dogs to be accidentally let out the door or gate when people have guests over for back yard cook outs. Current collars and a microchip give you that extra layer of protection and ups the odds of a missing pet returning to your loving arms. A microchip placement is a quick and easy procedure done with a technician - call us today to schedule!

Outdoor Activities, Camping, & Hiking

Make sure your dog is in good health before going on a camping or hiking trip. It is a good idea to bring a copy of your pet's medical records when you go camping in case of any accidents. It will also be helpful to have on hand to put other campers at ease with proof that your dog is up to date on all their vaccines. Protect your pet by applying flea and tick preventative prior to leaving for your trip to avoid infestation.  Always make sure your pet has a current ID tag and collar on, as well as a registered microchip. Don’t forget to pack plastic baggies for bathroom breaks, portable water bowls, and a pet first aid kit.

Every day in the summer we remove foxtails, a weed rampant in California with seeds that look like a fox's tail. The tip of each seed has barbs, allowing it to move only deeper into your pet's eyes, ears, nose, feet, genitals, and coat. Foxtails cause a lot of discomfort to dogs and cats and can even migrate internally, potentially causing organ damage and severe illness. Check your dog's feet and coat for foxtails after a hike. If you think your dog or cat has a foxtail that you cannot remove at home, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible to reduce the risk of the foxtail migrating deeper.

Have a safe and wonderful summer with your family, friends, and pets! And remember - we're here when you need us. If you have any questions, concerns, or need to schedule an appointment, please call us at 925.866.8387.

Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips

The Fourth of July is the perfect summer celebration - warm weather, a day off work, delicious barbecued food, plus friends, family, and fireworks! It's hard to find a more winning combination which is why it is not a surprise that the Fourth of July is a favorite holiday for many people; for our pets, however, it is a different story. All the excitement, activity, tempting foods, and loud noises can cause stress, sickness, and fear in our furry companions.  Here are some tips on how to help your pet stay safe and stress-free on the Fourth of July.

• Set your pet up in a safe and secure room. This is especially important if you are having a party. This room should be off-limits to guests. Set it up so that it is quiet and escape proof with plenty of fresh water. Place their favorite things in the room such as toys and a bed and if you have a cat, make sure to include a litter box. This should be a place for your pet to feel secure when things get noisy as the night goes on. Some people like to leave a TV or radio on to provide familiar sounds for their pet and to help drown out the noise of the fireworks. 

• One way to potentially counteract the anxiety a pet may feel during fireworks is to make sure you exercise them and tire them out just before the activities start. Take your dog to a park to run around (as long as it's not too hot) or for a swim in the pool. Use a laser pointer to encourage your kitty to play and run throughout the house. A tired pet is often more relaxed and may be less stressed by the loud noise of fireworks. 

• Speaking of fireworks, do not take your dog to a firework display or use street fireworks around them.

• Make sure your pet has a collar with a current ID and is micropchipped! Many pets get scared during fireworks and end up running away. Every year, a large number of lost pets are reported on the Fourth of July. It is common for indoor cats and dogs to slip out an open door during a backyard barbecue or cookout. Collars with current ID tags and a microchip give you that extra layer of protection and ups the odds of a missing pet returning to your loving arms. Microchip placement is a quick and easy procedure done with a technician - call us today to schedule and give yourself peace of mind.

• Beware of barbecue and party food for your pet! Dogs are especially inclined to want to eat people food. There are plenty of dangers that come from pets eating greasy, sugary, and fatty human food  - including pancreatitis, a dangerous illness that can lead to several days of hospitalization. Bones present choking hazards as well as possible gastrointestinal obstruction. If you notice your pet acting lethargic and/or vomiting please call us right away. Some human food such as grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol, and anything containing xylitol are toxic to pets. Make sure you let your guests know they are not to feed table scraps to your pets. (Better yet, keep your pets in the aforementioned safe room!)

• Plan ahead and call your veterinarian this week if you are concerned about your pet's well being during fireworks. They may recommend a mild sedative. Talking with your vet ahead of time allows you to perform a trial run to make sure you know the correct dosage for your pet.

Remember - we are here when you need us! We will be open on the  July 4th from 8am to 8pm for emergencies and regularly scheduled appointments. Call us at 925.866.8387 or email us at info@webvets.com to schedule an appointment. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming holiday - being prepared is always the best form of prevention!

Memorial Day: We're Open!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Pet Safety Tips: 

• This weekend looks like it is going to be on the cooler side but it is still important to make sure your pets have access to plenty of fresh, cool water at all times. If the days do get warmer it is important to provide them with shade and shelter from the heat.  

• Do not leave your pet unsupervised by the pool or any other bodies of water. Even swim savvy pets can get tired and struggle to keep afloat. Better yet - get your dog a special life jacket!

• Avoid feeding your pet any human foods or scraps from the grill. Bones pose many dangers, including chocking and intestinal obstruction. Fatty, sugary, and greasy food can cause pancreatitis.  This is a serious illness that often requires hospitalization. Be especially aware of the grease trap on your grill - dogs love to lick it clean. Make sure you clean it out before they do! 

• If you are having guests over, remember to inform them that you have pets and to keep all doors and gates closed at all times. Make sure your pets have current tags on and better yet - a microchip!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend with your  family, friends, and pets! And remember - we're here when you need us. If you have any questions, concerns, or need to schedule an appointment, please call us at 925.866.8387.

Easter Hours (Happy Easter Everyone!)

Happy New Year: Holiday Hours & Pet Safety Tips

We here at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care would like to wish all of our wonderful clients and their families a safe and happy New Year! We truly believe we have the most loyal, caring clients in the Bay Area. Thank you for always inspiring us to do the best we can do! We hope that 2012 brings health, love, and happiness to you and your pets.

As a reminder Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care will be open on Saturday December 31st from 8am to 8pm. However, we will be closed this Sunday, January 1st for the holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday January 2nd at 7am. If your pet is in need of emergency care on New Year's Day, please call Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Center at 925-798-2900. If you need to check on a pet that is staying with us, we will be checking our voice mail so please feel free to call anytime at 925-866-8387!

Also, if your pet is on medication and you are running low, call and order your refill today or before 4pm tomorrow! We will not be filling medications on New Year's Day, and all requests made after 4pm on Saturday December 31st will not be ready until after 12 noon on Monday January 2nd.

Last, but certainly not least, here is a list of New Year's Eve pet safety tips:

1. Make sure all of your pets are wearing collars with proper ID tags. Make sure the information is current. You can also have them microchipped, it is a quick technician appointment that usually takes less than half an hour. But even with a microchip, ID tags are essential.
2. Give your pets plenty of exercise before the festivities begin. Make sure they are fed and have had a potty break too. This may help them sleep through a party instead of being stressed.
3. Prepare a safe room in your house for your pet. Provide a blanket and bed for them to burrow in, along with food, water, and a litter box if appropriate. You may want to leave a TV on or some music to help block out stress inducing noises. KEEP THIS DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. Put a sign on the door so that guests know not to open it.
4. Check that all fences and gates in the back yard are closed and securely locked.
5. Keep garbage cans securely closed to prevent your pet from eating anything it shouldn't.
6. Try to avoid coddling or comforting your pet when its agitated since this can reinforce the behavior. It is best to give them a safe room full of comforting items where they can hide from the activities.

Once again, happy New Year and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for choosing us to treat your beloved pets!