Monday Pet Tip: Summer is Here at Last!

After a grey, cold, rainy May the sun has come out to play; summer is here at last!  It's going to be extremely hot in the Bay Area today as well as the rest of the week, so Monday's Pet Tip is about protecting your pets from the heat. Keep reading for warm weather tips and general guidelines, information on heat stroke, and even suggestions for keeping your pocket pets cool in the summer time.

 General Guidelines 

• If possible, keep your pets indoors with the shades drawn and the air conditioning or an oscillating fan on.

• If your pet has to stay outside make sure they have access to cool and shaded areas.

• Whether they are indoors or outside, make sure your pet has access to plenty of cool, fresh water. You can even try putting ice cubes in their bowls to keep the water extra cool.

• Do not leave pets unsupervised around pools. Not all pets are water savvy and even experienced swimmers can get tired and have trouble getting out of a pool.

• Keep long, thick fur trimmed in a lightweight summer cut.

• Only take your dog on a walk early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Not only can exercise in extreme heat cause heat stoke but the hot asphalt can burn sensitive paw pads. 

• Avoid strenuous exercise or play in general in the hot weather; don't go on long hikes or lengthy walks.

• NEVER leave your pet in the car! Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke  

• 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. 

You can read more information about heat stroke here, from our Pet Health Library. You can also read about Tucker Klopp on our Lives Saved page; a Newfoundland who was hospitalized after collapsing on a hot day.

Tips for Keeping Pocket Pets Cool 

• Place a large, ceramic tile in the freezer overnight, then place inside the pet's cage. Make sure to cover the sharp edges so your pet won't get cut. You can purchase tiles at most hardware stores for fairly cheap.

• Make sure they have access to full, fresh water bottles.

• Place a cold, damp (not soaking wet) towel in one part of their cage, insuring your pet still has warm, dry spots in their habitat. You can also drape the towel on the outside of the cage, over one side to create a cool, shaded shelter.

• Keep their cages indoors and out of direct sunlight. 

• Place frozen water bottles wrapped in towels in their cage for pets to lean against. Secure them so they do not have the chance to roll over. 

• Use an oscillating fan near their cage. This way the fan is not constantly blowing directly on your pocket pet but is still providing cool air flow.

• Feed them frozen fruit and refrigerated veggies.

• Mist rabbit ears lightly with water to help them regulate their temperature.

• The House Rabbit Society has an informative page on rabbits and heat exhaustion with useful tips that can be applied towards other pocket pets as well.

By taking the proper precautions and following a few simple guidelines we can enjoy all the fun the season brings and keep our pets healthy and safe. It doesn't take much to make sure our furry friends are comfortable and cool in the heat. If you have any questions or concerns, we are here when you need us! Stop on by or give us a call at 925-866-8387 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            925-866-8387     . end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Flower

Flower, who now goes by Kevin (named after the bird from the movie Up) wants everyone to know that she is doing great and having a wonderful time in her new, loving home!

Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care's Featured Employee: Olivia Hernandez

It is not just our brilliant veterinarians that make Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center a truly great hospital. All of our employees contribute to the success of our practice and each one, in their own way, help to make our patients' lives better. We would like to take the opportunity to feature these amazing individuals and give them a moment in the spotlight, here on our blog. 

Today, our featured Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center family member is Olivia Hernandez. She is an upbeat technician and shift coordinator who has worked here for over nine years! Just the other day Olivia took the time to answer some questions for Communications Coordinator Erin Selby.

Erin: Why do you work at BRVC? What do you like best about working at BRVC?

Olivia: I came to BRVC 9 years ago when I had just recently graduated from Veterinary Technician school and was very green to the Veterinary world. I knew I needed experience and thought this place would be great for this because of its size. Little did I know that this place would steal my heart and let me grow in my career and achieve my passion. That’s one of the great things about BRVC, you can grow so much here and not feel, even after 9 years, that you are stuck at a plateau with your career.

E: Who was your first pet? Tell us about your current pets.

O: I have always been a cat person and have had 5 cats total during my life. My first furry child was “Pepper” no pet will of course ever compare! As of right now I have 3 cats Leche, Angelo and Sachi who I love and adore. Just recently my boyfriend and I rescued 2 Chihuahua puppies, a girl named Sabina and a boy named Bobby.  I never thought I’d be so attached to dogs, but these little boogers stole my heart and now I can’t figure out who rules more, cats or dogs?

E: What is your most memorable BRVC moment?

O: There have been so many wonderful moments I can’t decide. My first C-section reviving puppies, my first solo tooth extraction, my first emergency are just some to name a few. That is the great thing about working in this field, you learn something new every day.

E: Do you have a patient that is special to you? Why?

O: All the patients I work with have a special place in my heart. But of course there are those very special patients that you will never forget because they have left a “paw print” on your heart. For me, Henry Carr and Norman Hinkly were those patients. They were both my very first experience with chemotherapy pets. I will never forget their bravery and upbeat personalities during all their chemotherapy sessions. I think I was more upset and sad than they were. I was supposed to be the one holding it together for them and reassuring them everything will be ok. But Norman and Henry would come in for their treatments as happy as can be like, “Come on let’s fight this cancer!”.  Henry with his hugs and always dancing in his dog run and Norman with his cheerful, very unique bark- they just made my experience better and for that I am thankful.

E: What do you like to do outside of work?

O: I really enjoy reading, I just got the kindle and OMG it is amazing! I highly recommend it. I also just got the new iphone and I am completely addicted, if you don’t have one you’re totally missing out.  I love shopping, what girl doesn’t? I’m really into anything Hello Kitty at the moment. I just recently got back from the “Happiest Place on Earth” (Disneyland) and I will be going again this summer. I can’t seem to get enough of the place; if I could live there I would, in Sleeping Beauty’s castle of course!

Thank you so much for sharing with us Olivia, and thanks for helping make Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center an incredible place to work!

Fabulous New Additions to Our Website!

We are quite pleased to announce some exciting updates to our website. Not only do we have a brand new Internet Pharmacy but you can now make payments on your account via the Make Payment page! 

Our goal is to make ordering your pet's medications as easy and convenient as possible. Now you can:  

• Pay online with secured payment transactions.
• Access and order medications anywhere, anytime, using your smart phone.
• Get free shipping on all orders over $39.

We also have a special offer to take 10% off your first purchase of $55 or more by ordering online today! Use the code NEWRX and the discount will automatically be applied to your purchase.

Making a payment on your account has never been easier with our new payment page. It's safe, secure, and easy to use. Now you can leave deposits for a hospitalized pet or for your boarding reservation without having to come down to the the hospital or calling in your credit card information. You can even use your smart phone to access our website and pay from where ever you are no matter the time!

We are excited to bring these changes to you and hope it helps make your busy life a little easier. Contact us today at 925-866-8387 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            925-866-8387      end_of_the_skype_highlighting with any questions you may have!

Adopt a Shelter Cat Month by Frank Utchen, DVM

This time of year, when the kids get out for summer, the kittens are also out - in droves. Animal rescue organizations refer to the summer months as “kitten season” – when shelters are overrun with orphaned and abandoned kittens. June is the ASPCA’s National Adopt a Shelter Cat month and rescue groups and animal shelters across the country are encouraging the public to adopt cats and kittens rather than purchase them from a private party or breeder.

                                            

While kids may have numerous summertime activities planned, orphaned kittens only have 3 places to go: to a loving home, to a humane society shelter where they will likely be euthanized in a week, or out in the wild, where their chances of surviving more than two years is, on average, very slim, and where their quality of life will likely be poor.

This month I encourage you to do what you can to help by considering adopting a kitten or adult cat from an animal rescue group or shelter. Of course, because cats are such prolific reproducers, having that kitten spayed or neutered is paramount if you are to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

A cat’s normal gestation period (i.e. the length of time pregnancy lasts) is about 2 months. After being born it only takes about 6 months for those kittens to reach the age where they can reproduce a third generation of kittens, and then in 6 more months those grand-kittens are reproducing - and so on. The geometric proliferation of cats is one reason that spaying or neutering even a single cat is so important. Preventing just one cat from reproducing can prevent the birth of thousands of kittens in just a few years. 

Consider the following: although estimates vary on the exact number, somewhere between 3 million and 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year in animal shelters because there are not enough homes willing to take them in.

That is a tragic number. And while adopting a single cat or kitten won’t make a noticeable dent in these statistics, that single adoption will make a noticeable difference for that kitten, and will add a completely new dimension to your life.

What if you already have a cat? Well, as I tell my clients, the best toy for a kitten is another kitten. If you already own a cat (or a dog), you’re probably wondering how easy it is to add a cat to the family. The good news is that cats can get along with other cats as well as dogs.

When adding a new cat or kitten to a home that already has a cat, it’s a good idea to keep the new one away from the current “residents” for a few days. Be patient. After several days, supervise interactions between the animals for periods of increasing length. Most cats will soon learn to accept each other, and some may quite possibly become the best of friends.

Remember that you’re making a commitment to love and care for your new pet for his or her lifetime, which could mean 10, 15, even 20 years. So choose your new best friend carefully and be a responsible pet owner. In no time at all you’ll know how wonderful sharing your home with a cat or kitten can be.

Like the old Italian proverb says: “Happy is the home with at least one cat.”

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the beginning of summer and all the fun the season entails: Barbeques, block parties, camping, hiking, and relaxing by the pool! While we are enjoying the pleasures of summer, it is important to remember our furry friends and how the holiday and warm weather activities can affect them.  We will be open this Monday on Memorial Day from 8am to 8pm- so we are here if you need us!

Warm Weather

• 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.
• Do not leave your pet outside on hot summer days without access to shelter, shade, and plenty of fresh water.. 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 bur the pads of their feet on the hot concrete and can suffer from heat stroke, which is a veterinary emergency. Click here for an article on heat stroke by Dr. Utchen.

Parties, Barbeques and Pools

• Keep alcohol and table scraps out of reach. Alcohol is poisonous to pets and can cause severe stomach upset. Human food always runs the risk of causing stomach upset in our furry companions: vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis- not to mention the dangers of swallowing bones!
• Make sure to keep lighter fluid, matches, and candles out of reach. These can be very harmful if ingested.
• Keep your doors and gates closed. Warn your friends to be aware of your pets when entering and exiting the house or yard. To be on the safe side, keep your pet enclosed in a room or in a crate to avoid an accidental escape. Just in case, make sure your pet has a current ID tag and collar and is microchipped.
• If you have a pool, keep it covered when it is not in use. Make sure there is a lifeguard on duty when you are using it and your dog is near the pool or wants to swim. Some dogs do great in water but other breeds do not have the physical build that allows them to swim well. Even excellent swimmers can have trouble getting out of the pool and can easily wear themselves out.

Camping and 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.
• Apply 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. Microchips are also a good idea.
• Pack plastic baggies for bathroom breaks, portable water bowls, and a pet first aid kit.

Keeping these tips in my mind will help your pet have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend, as well as the rest of the summer! Remember we are here when you need us if you have any questions or you need treatment for your pet. Have a fantastic weekend!

Kitty Cat Cuteness!

When ever you are feeling stressed, just watch this video and let the extreme cuteness wash over you and soothe your soul!