In honor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week, we wanted to give you a few pointers about making sure you and your family members (both two- and four-legged) are safe.

• Make sure you do your research before bringing a new dog into the family.  Think about breed and temperament of both the new dog and your existing dogs when making the decision.  Your veterinarian would be able to offer advice about what dogs match your lifestyle.
• Socialization is key.  Once you get your new dog make sure to start the socialization process immediately.  Teach it simple commands (sit, come, “no”) to build your own bond as well as provide supervised interaction with dogs, children, adults, and other animals.
• Make sure any children in your care know the proper way to interact with dogs.  Remind them not to approach a strange dog.  If an unknown animal comes up to them, remain calm and quiet with your hands in fists at your side, looking forward and not at the dog’s eyes.  Do not bother a dog when it is eating, and make sure you never accidentally corner a dog.  This might make it lash out in fear.
• Expel any pent-up energy with lots of exercise and frequent walks.  Just make sure the play doesn’t become too aggressive, so avoid things like wrestling with your pup.
• Promote good leash manners.  You want to ensure that you are in control of your dog if you encounter other people or animals on a walk.  Even if you feel your dog is friendly, that doesn’t mean the other dog will be.
• Get your new dog spayed or neutered and keep up with his or her wellness care.  Good health promotes good behavior.

If you have any questions about your dog’s behavior, contact us at (503)692-3300.

May 7, 2012

Diamond pet food recall linked to human Salmonella infection

Fourteen cases of human Salmonella infection have been linked to one or more Diamond Pet Food products manufactured at the company’s Gaston, S.C., facility between December 9, 2011, and April 7, 2012, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The illnesses were reported in Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Five of the cases warranted hospitalization, and investigations continue to identify whether other brands of dry dog food produced at the Gaston plant may be linked to human illnesses, the CDC reports.

Diamond Pet Foods has expanded its voluntary recall to include nine brands of its dry pet food formulas manufactured in Gaston. They are:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Kirkland Signature
• Taste of the Wild.

The products involved in the recall were distributed to customers located in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Canada and Puerto Rico, and may have been further distributed to other states through pet food channels. The company is working directly with distributors and retailers who carry these products to remove them from the supply chain.

To determine if their pet food is recalled, Diamond officials say consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags that have a number “2” or a “3” in the 9th or 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit. The best-before dates for the recalled brands are Dec. 9, 2012, through April 7, 2013.

Consumers who purchased any of the affected formulas should discontinue feeding the product and discard it. Consumers may also contact Diamond Pet Foods at (800) 442-0402 or visit www.diamondpet.com with any questions regarding the recall or to obtain a refund for the product.

The staff at Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital would like to honor Cognac as a Featured Pet.  Cognac is a loving and energetic dog who always manages to become the center of attention when he enters the room.  He loves to spend time with his owner, whether at the dog park, in the backyard, or on a simple trek to the mailbox.  Even at night he can be found curled up in bed with Dad.  He loves playing with his squeaky ball and will beg for Beggin’ Strips.  To make sure Cognac stays healthy his owner is very diligent about keeping up with preventative care as well as maintaining consistent grooming appointments.  This ensures that Cognac will be making people smile for many years to come.

Thousands of pets every year are injured or hospitalized from ingesting something they shouldn’t. Some dangerous items are so common you might not know they are a risk. March 18-24th marks the 50^th anniversary of Poison Prevention Week.

Foods

Certain fruits like grapes, raisins and currants are very toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure. Chocolate, especially dark can result in vomiting and diarrhea to tremors and seizures. Xylitol, a sweetener often found in gum, candy and mints may cause low blood sugar and potential liver failure if ingested in large quantities. Ingestion of these foods can be avoided by:

• Keeping counters free from these items
• Watching that children are not feeding these items to your pet
• Securing garbage cans
• Keeping all medication out of reach

Plants

Some plants and flowers can be fatal to dogs and cats. Sago palm can cause liver failure in dogs. True lilies such as Easter, tiger and daylilies can be deadly to cats. Be sure to check the toxicity of the plants currently in your home or ones you plan to buy.

The Yard

Use caution when applying fertilizers, pesticides or weed killers. Even those that are labeled organic may contain blood meal or bone meal which can cause stomach upset or obstruction. Compost bins and piles containing moldy and rotting food can contain tremorgenic myotoxins or neurotoxins resulting in drooling, vomiting, tremor or seizure.

What to do if you suspect your animal has ingested a toxic substance.

• Make sure they are breathing and acting normal
• Do Not give home antidotes
• Do Not induce vomiting unless directed by poison control or your veterinarian
• Call the poison control help line at 800-213-6680
• Seek emergency veterinary attention if necessary

Pet-proofing is the easiest way to keep our furry friends safe. Unlike children who will eventually learn what to stay away from, your pet does not know better. Only you can prevent accidents before they happen. Check out this website for more information on toxic substances. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/

• Shelter- Provide shelter from the elements in a barn or run-shed with raised floors for a dry spot to stand. If no cover is available blanket the horse. Remove and clean the blanket periodically to limit the growth of fungus.
• Water- To decrease the chances of colic always provide access to fresh water. Make sure that water is free of ice or warm the tank this is especially important in older horses.
• Feed- In the winter horses need extra feed to maintain body temperature. If your horse is older, a senior feed might be an appropriate choice.
• Hooves- Wet pastures can cause serious problems for horses’ hooves.  Abscesses, thrush, and deterioration are common foot problems caused by wet or soggy ground which can lead to lameness. Prevention is best. Keep hooves clean and allow horses on “dry land” a few hours a day. Stalls should remain clean and dry to eliminate serious medical problems.
• Skin- Daily grooming is essential in avoiding seasonal skin disorders which can include rainrot, scratches or ringworm. Keep stalls and related equipment clean and dry at all times.

We now give Wilsonville pet parents even more peace of mind in two new ways!

1.  Our new Healthy Paws program

2. Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital is partnering with Paws 4 Perks to give P4P members exclusive discounts on premium veterinary care for their pets. Lori, The Groomer at Meridian Park, is also participating in the program with discounts to keep your dog or cat looking their best!

If you are looking for a Veterinarian near Wilsonville Oregon, come visit Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital or give us a call at 503-692-3300 to schedule an appointment today!

A pet is an incredible source of joy and companionship. Along with these joys come the responsibilities of pet ownership, including: food, shelter, grooming, licensing, training, and regular examinations with a veterinarian. Those who wish to bring a pet into their families are encouraged to consider their ability to provide for the pet’s care in these areas.

Additionally, pet owners should plan for the costs of unexpected illness or injury.

Potential Avenues for Meeting the Cost of Medical Expenses

• Existing savings
• Credit cards
• Pet health insurance policies
• Medical payment cards or payment plans, such as Care Credit or Citi Card
• Proactive savings earmarked specifically for pet health care expenses
• Ask your veterinarian if you can be put on a payment plan
• Personal loan from family or friends
• Garage sales, eBay sales, a temporary second job
• Your veterinarian may have a fund to assist clients with unexpected expenses
• Check with your veterinarian about whether they offer short-term promotions and discounts (for example, many veterinarians offer a discount on dental care during February, which is National Pet Dental Health month)
• Other sources of financial assistance (may have income requirements)

Tips for Saving Money on Pet Care Expenses

• Shop for pet beds, toys and accessories at discount or chain stores. Some outlet-type stores have a pet section.
• Rotate existing toys so that every few weeks “new” toys appear.
• Shop at thrift stores. Buy used kids’ toys that are suitable for pets.
• Shop the clearance racks at the end of a season for pet toys and other supplies.
• Save on pet food by reducing quantity, not quality. Many pets are overweight. A high-quality food fed in the appropriate portions for your pet’s age and activity level will be better for your pet’s waistline and you will save money by needing to buy less.
• Schedule procedures such as vaccinations, dental cleanings or senior health exams during “discount” days or months; these discount periods are offered by most veterinarians.

Other Sources of Assistance

Oregon

• Animal Aid (Portland)
• DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund (emergencies at DL only)
• Spay/Neuter Surgery Assistance

National

• AAHA Helping Pets Fund
• Angels for Animals
• American Humane Second Chance Fund
• Canine Cancer Awareness
• Cats in Crisis
• Feline Outreach
• Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance
• Help a Pet
• Jake Brady Memorial Fund
• In Memory of Magic (IMOM)
• The Magic Bullet Fund
• The Mosby Foundation
• The Pet Fund
• United Animal Nations

Breed specific (from United Animal Nations)

• Akita Club of America Rescue Fund
• Berner Emergency Health Assistance Fund
• Boston Terrier Rescue Net
• Boxer Rescue Foundation
• CorgiAid, Inc.
• The Chow Chow Club’s Welfare Fund
• Dougal’s Fund
• Goldstock Fund
• Keeshond Sunshine Rescue Foundation
• LABMED
• Labrador Lifeline
• Pit Bull Rescue Central
• PYRAMEDIC Trust
• Special Needs Dobermans
• WestieMed, Inc.

Medical diagnosis (from United Animal Nations)

• Cats in Crisis Crisis Care Fund
• Cats in Crisis Mesa Fund
• Cats in Crisis Stripes Fund
• Cats in Crisis Gillie Fund
• Cody’s Club
• Muffin Pets Diabetic Pets Fund
• Resources for dogs with cancer

Payment Programs

• Care Credit
• Citi Card

Pet Health Insurance Providers

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
• Embrace Pet Insurance
• PetCare Pet Insurance
• Pets Best Insurance
• Petshealth Care Plan
• PurinaCare Pet Insurance
• Trupanion Pet Insurance
• Veterinary Pet Insurance Inc.

Financial Assistance

• Animal Aid (Portland)
• DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund
  Emergencies at DoveLewis only
• Spay/Neuter Surgery Assistance

Food Banks

• Cat Adoption Team Cat Food Bank
• FIDO Pet Food Bank
• Pet Food Bank Listing (state of Oregon)
• The Pongo Fund

Quality of Life

• Fences for Fido

Pets of the Homeless

• Pixie Project
• Portland Animal Welfare Team (PAW)
• Pro-Bone-O (Eugene)
• United Pets of Tillamook

Strong acidic or alkaline cleaners pose highest risk – the most dangerous cleaning products are those which may cause corrosive injury or chemical burns. These include rust removers, toilet bowel cleaners, lye, drain cleaners and calcium/lime removers.

General cleaners are safe in small doses – cleaners such as glass cleaners, spot removers and most surface cleaners have a wide margin of safety. If ingested in small amounts, most only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Also, if they touch pet’s skin, they may cause mild irritation. Therefore, it’s still wise to keep these products out of reach.

Read the label – cleaning labels can provide helpful information, as long as you understand the terminology. Key words to look for include “danger” and “warning” as this indicates products with higher toxicity or the potential to cause chemical burns. Items that use “caution” as their primary signal word are “less toxic” than those using “danger.”

Risk varies by type of animal – birds and other exotic pets may be more sensitive to cleaning products, especially products that are aerosolized. “Birds have a unique respiratory anatomy called air sacs, which results in particular sensitivity to fragrances and aerosolized chemicals,” says Dr. Justine Lee, Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline. To be safe, aerosolized products should not be used in the same room as caged or free birds.

“Natural” does not always mean “safe” – some natural products can and will cause just as many problems as more traditional cleaners.

No need to worry about Swiffer Wet-Jets – it is a common internet rumor that Swiffer Wet-Jets are dangerous for dogs. In fact, no evidence exists that suggests Swiffer products are dangerous to animals when used properly.

When spring cleaning, be safe and keep all pets out of the area of cleaning until the room is well ventilated and all cleaning products have dried.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on common household toxins, and to make sure you pet-proof your house appropriately. Make sure to keep cleaning products up and out of your pet’s reach, but when in doubt, if you think your pet has been poisoned, contact Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital at 503-692-3300 with any questions or concerns.

Veterinary anesthetic protocols are rapidly changing for the better and we at Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital believe that every pet deserves the smoothest, fastest, safest anesthesia available.

When discussing surgeries, a common question we hear from clients is: “Why shouldn’t I get the ‘same’ surgery at the clinic down the road?”. The best answer is that,  for about a hundred different reasons, it isn’t the same surgery. One of these reasons is our state-of-the-art anesthetic protocol which now includes Sevo, the benefits of which are significant over older agents used at “low cost” clinics.

Sevoflurane is a new anesthsetic agent that is also used for human pediatric procedures. It makes surgical procedures safer and speeds up recovery with minimal problems that are often associated with older anesthetics – with no significant difference in cost!

• Sevo does not have a pungency that irritates the respiratory system. It is better tolerated and results in low airway irritability.
• Sevo has a low blood gas solubility, which allows anesthesia to be induced faster.
• Sevo has been show to be less of a respiratory depressant than older anesthetic agents when used for the same amount of time. This is especially beneficial for older pets with certain medical conditions that would otherwise prevent the procedure from being performed using older protocols.
• Patient recovery with Sevo is smoother and faster.

In addition, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released new guidelines (www.aahanet.org/Library/Anesthesia_Guidelines.aspx) covering all aspects of surgical anesthetic protocols.  The new guidelines call for a thorough patient history, comprehensive labwork, and a complete examination before determining the best course of action for the procedure. According to AAHA, anesthesia-related complications are responsible for a significant number of liability insurance claims, with most anesthetic-associated deaths occuring during the first three hours of recovery. Adding Sevoflurane to our already-stringent anesthetic protocols helps MPVH provide your pet with the best care before, during, and after anesthesia.

If you have any questions or concerns about Sevoflurane, do not hesitate to call us at 503-692-3300 or e-mail us at mpvhospital@frontier.com.

What is on YOUR Pet’s Wishlist this Holiday Season?

“Sit!” “Stay!” “Come!” “Good Boy!”

Your pet has been so good this year, why not show them how much you appreciate their unconditional love and loyalty? Not sure what your pet may want in his or her stocking? We’ve come up with a list (and checked it twice!) of our most popular feel-good items that our patients enjoy:

Lupine Collars and Leashes - Lupine guarantees EVERY product they carry. Seems crazy but we’re not kidding! Whether Spot thinks his collar is more fun to chew than his bone, Fido prefers to walk himself or Fluffy seems to like the ‘feather boa’ look, they’re gonna replace it. No return shipping, no receipt, no questions asked! It’s that simple! And the best part? Your replacement goes back in the mail the next business day after the damaged item is received. Lupine collars and leashes come in various sizes and colors, a few of which are shown below:

Treats – We have a variety of treats, including HypoAllergenic, Rawhides, and Low-Calorie Fruitables!

Joint Supplements – Cold weather means sore joints in humans AND animals. If you think your pet would love some treats, but want a little more bang for your buck, try our Dasuquin Joint Supplement Chews! For more information about joint health and supplements, click here or give us a call at 503.692.3300.

Spa Day – If you are looking for something a little more decadent for the favorite animal in your life, a day at the spa with our Groomer is perfect! A high-quality groom at MPVH not only keeps your pet looking and smelling like a million bucks, but it is also good for their health!

Squeaky Clean Teeth – A healthy, white smile is the best gift you can give your pet. It is the gift that keeps on giving and your pet will keep thanking you with nice-smelling kisses long after the holidays are over. For more information about dental health or for a FREE Dental Consultation, call us at 503.692.3300!

For more pet gift ideas, visit Klondike’s Toy Box at www.mpvhospital.com or come on in to Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital today!