Press And Media

It’s Rattlesnake Season!

04

Apr / 2013

Every year between the months of April and October all veterinarians see an influx of rattlesnake bites here in Southern California.  The Western Diamondback is the most common rattlesnake seen locally. It thrives during the heat of our spring and summer months.   As pet owners spend more time walking dogs on trails and allowing for more outdoor time, a dog’s natural curiosity for these snakes can land them a bite with potentially life threatening consequences.  It is often recommended to avoid rattlesnakes by staying off the trails in the late afternoon hours or at dusk when the snakes become more active.  During the warm early afternoons, most snakes are basking and more visible on the trails.  Keep backyard brush cut back and maintained regularly to keep snakes from frequenting these areas of your yard. When a dog is bitten by a snake, the most commonly affected areas are the nose, muzzle and paws.  Signs of extreme swelling, bruising, pain and puncture wounds may indicate that a snake bite has envenomated your pet.  It is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.  Veterinary care required may include treatment for shock, neutralizing the venom, addressing blood clotting problems and treating secondary infections.  Many veterinary hospitals also recommend the rattlesnake vaccine which can help to develop antibodies to neutralize the venom.  It is thought that dogs given the rattlesnake vaccine experience less skin swelling and tissue damage from the bite wounds.  The vaccine may potentially decrease the amount of antivenom needed and allow more time to get your dog to the hospital.  Even with the rattlesnake vaccine on board, immediate veterinary care and treatment are essential for surviving the bite.  Enjoy some quality outdoor time with your pet and stay away from those rattlers!

 

Stacy Rothman, DVM

Westlake Village Animal Hospital

www.westlakevet.com

Introducing Chiropractics and Acupuncture

25

Apr / 2013

We at Westlake Village Animal Hospital want to do everything we can to make sure that your animals are happy and healthy, therefore we offer every means possible to ensure this is the case.  We  are proud to now offer chiropractic and acupuncture treatments as an alternative to Western Medicine.  Our chiropractor/acupuncturist, Dr. Susan Meisinger, has been practicing for almost 30 years.  For the past 15 years, she has been treating performance dogs who do herding and agility for their wear and tear pain as well as acute injuries in an effort to get them back to what they love as quickly as possible.  In addition, she has found chiropractic and acupuncture to be effective in treating animals who are just getting older and slowing down.   She treats such varied conditions as degenerative arthritis, acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, allergies, digestive and skin disorders using both chiropractic and acupuncture as well as veterinary herbal formulas.  In addition, she demonstrates techniques that you can use at home to reinforce the treatments performed in the office so that you can be your animal's first line of defense and strengthen the therapy performed at Westlake Animal Hospital. We know that you love your animals and want to do everything you can to make sure the lives they live are long, full and active.  We are here to help you achieve that goal using every modality at our disposal, including chiropractic and acupuncture, and look forward to working with you to make that goal a reality.  (Photo Courtesy: MUTTerings & Things)

Dr. Sue Meisinger
Westlake Village Animal Hospital
www.westlakevet.com



Hot Weather Safety for Your Pets

06

May / 2013

As the weather heats up in the coming months, more families and their pets are able to enjoy quality time outdoors.  It is important to take a few steps to ensure your pet will be safe from overheating and potentially suffering from a heat stroke.  If your dog spends many hours outdoors, remember to have large amounts of cool fresh water available at all times.  Consider adding ice cubes to the water bowl to keep it cold throughout the day.  Make sure there is always adequate shade available and perhaps try limiting the amount of outdoor time on especially warm days.  Also, limit the length of strenuous exercise during the warmest parts of the day when your pet can become dehydrated.

 

If you suspect heat stroke, bring your pet to a veterinary hospital immediately.  Clinical signs of heat stroke may include excessive panting, drooling, inability to breathe, vomiting, weakness, collapse or seizure.  Heat stroke is life threatening and increased risk factors are noted for flat faced breeds, puppies and senior pets. 

 

Perhaps the most tragic deaths from heat stroke come from owners leaving their pets in parked cars.  Even with the windows rolled down, the internal temperatures of the vehicle can rise quickly.  Remember, in the state of California, it is illegal to leave your pet in a parked car unattended during extreme temperatures.  Additionally, keep your dogs away from leaking coolant.  It often puddles in the streets and the sweet taste makes it a favorite for dogs to lick but coolant is extremely toxic. 

It is always a good idea to keep your pets well groomed in the warmer months to keep the skin healthy.  Cutting hair shorter may help your pets to stay cool. Don’t forget to ask your veterinarian about flea and tick products as this time of year is a favorite for those pesky fleas. (Photo Courtesy: petsafe.com)

Stacy Rothman
Westlake Village Animal Hospital
www.westlakevet.com

Memorial Day Safety Tips

09

May / 2013

Keep alcoholic beverages out of paws reach.

Alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, so make sure pet does not accidentally consume any wine, beer or spirits.

 Stay on regular diet & resist those pleading eyes.

Although it may be tempting to throw your dogs licking chops some picnic fare we advise that you resist the urge. Just say "No" to those angelic, begging eyes! Any change in your dog's diet can result in an upset stomach. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.

 Use ONLY dog specific bug repellent and sunscreen.

Never use human insect repellent or sunscreen on your dog. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

 Fido should stay clear of matches, candles & lighter fluid.

Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system. Before you light that hot grill make sure your four legged family member is out of harms way.

 Supervise pool time.

Never leave kids or pets unsupervised around a pool or lake. Like humans not all dogs are expert swimmers. Also, pools aren't large water bowls-they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach upset.

 Carry ID.

If traveling with your pet, take identification for them and their health records. Make sure they are wearing their collar & tags at all time in the event that become lost.

 Never leave pet in hot car...at ANY time!

Your pet is just as susceptible to dying of a heatstroke when the mercury rises. It only takes a few minutes for the inside of your car to get excessively hot and turn into a oven.

 Provide plenty of water.

Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water no matter where you are.

 Be prepared rain or shine.

Make sure your pet has a comfortable place to get out of the sun, rain, or other types of weather.

 Provide pet with a safe & quiet place to rest.

Not only is it important to make sure your guest are relaxed and comfortable, you should also do so for your pet. Remember Memorial day can be quite stressful & noisy on your pet so it is important to provide with a place of refuge to rest their head and get away from the crowd. Because no loving pet owner wants a startled dog or cat running away, bolting for the doggy door or jumping the fence.

 Keep gates and fences closed and save yourself some heartbreak.

Memorial Day is a high traffic holiday with so many people heading out for a cookout. When the kids are playing in the yard, please remind them to keep the gate closed at all times if the dog has access to a fenced-in area. This will ensure that your pet does not run into oncoming traffic or a busy street and get struck.

Referenced from the ASPCA