December 2006 Newsletter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
December 2006 Newsletter

Pet of the Month
Congrats to "Rio," a German Shepherd who takes the honor of Pet of the Month for January 2007. Check out his handsome photo on our website.

Infectious Disease Alert
At LMAH this winter we have seen a surge of cases of Canine Parvovirus and several cases of Canine Distemper. These diseases pose a very real threat to puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs. We have seen dogs infected with these illnesses from a variety of sources.pet stores, shelters, as well as individual homes.

Parvovirus is affects the gastrointestinal system resulting in severe vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Treatment is aimed at maintaining hydration, preventing bacterial infection, and supporting the immune system as the virus runs its course. Canine Distemper virus can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic systems. Canine distemper is challenging to diagnose since the illness can resemble many other illnesses. Dogs may display vomiting and diarrhea. Many dogs may appear to have kennel cough initially with a runny nose, coughing, and fever. In later stages nerve abnormalities and seizures may become apparent. Sadly, dogs with either of these diseases may not survive even with appropriate medical treatment.

All dog owners are encouraged to take a few minutes to ensure your dog or puppy is properly vaccinated. For more details on proper vaccination series, costs, and age of administration visit our website (www.lmah.net) or call 645-3116.

Rat Bait Can Poison Family Pet
People struggling with rodent pest problems may turn to commonly sold "rat bait" products. Products with names such as D-Con, Rampage, and Talon are fatal to unwanted rodents, but can also inadvertently poison the family pet. Pets that ingest these compounds will develop difficulties clotting and bleed excessively. The pet may develop bleeding from the nose, vomiting blood, pale gums, bruising, or bleeding into other sites of the body.

a... Never use these products in your home or yard if you have pets. Dogs will easily track down and ingest these products if they are in bushes, under rocks, or in corners of your yard.
b.. Prevent your dog from roaming. Accidental poisonings can also arise when dogs visit common community areas or yards that do not have pets and use rat baits.
c.. Call your veterinarian promptly with any suspected rat bait ingestion. Do not wait to see if your pet gets ill. Signs of poisoning will develop after a few days, and waiting till then can decrease the chance of survival.

Employee of the Month
Help us recognize our employee of the month, Tammy. Tammy is a licensed veterinary technician that has been an integral part of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital for over 10 years. She demonstrates a love of animals and a great dedication to all aspects of her job. Thank you Tammy!