Top Rated Animal Charities

If you are thinking of donating to a charity this holiday season, why not give to one that helps animals?
Here are some of the top rated animal charities, according to Charity Watch:

• D.E.L.T.A. Rescue is a "no kill" dog and cat sanctuary located in California
• Best Friends Animal Society is a "no kill" sanctuary for all types of pets located in Utah
• Animal Welfare Institute works to help all animals and is based out of Washington D.C.
• PetSmart Charities help homeless pets. They are headquartered in Arizona
• Friends of Animals is an international animal advocacy group based out of Connecticut

Holiday Decorations and Your Pets

Everyone at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod wishes you and your pets a safe and happy holiday season.  All of the things that we bring into the house to brighten the holiday are new and interesting to our curious pets.  Unfortunately, holiday decorations and pets don't mix well, and the combination sometimes results in a visit to the vet.
Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Candles can easily burn curious whiskers or be knocked over by happy tails. Never leave candles burning unattended.
• Many holiday plants are toxic to pets. Holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, and poinsettia are dangerous if ingested by cats or dogs, and lilies pose a threat to cats.
• A Christmas tree brings in all sorts of new smells- especially if it is a live tree. 
• Be sure it is secured properly so it won't be knocked over by your pet. 
• The water in the tree stand can cause vomiting or diarrhea if your pet drinks too much of it.
• Pets often mistake Christmas ornaments for toys, so if you have a particularly rambunctious pet, it may be a good idea to hang the ornaments higher on the tree, out of their reach.
• Tinsel commonly causes linear obstructions in pets and is especially attractive to cats. 
• Holiday lights are dangerous if your pet chews on them. Make sure to hang lights out of reach and protect any cords that your pet may be able to reach. There are several brands of cord protectors available that will deter your pet from chewing.

An Endoscopic Retrieval of a Dime

Our Airedale friend came to VACC earlier this week because he wasn't feeling well and was having diarrhea. He was examined by Dr. Burns who ordered x-rays and discovered that he had a foreign body.

As you can see in the video below, Dr. Burns was able to use the endoscope to remove the foreign body, which turned out to be a dime. 

The dog is feeling much better and will be able to go home soon. 

Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets

Most of us think of our pets as family members, so we want them to be included in our holiday celebrations. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving:

•  Be sure not to allow your pets to overindulge. Pancreatitis has been associated with eating rich, fatty foods, so keep the turkey and gravy treats to a minimum.
• If you do give your pets small amounts of turkey, make sure it is fully cooked. Raw and under-cooked turkey can harbor several kinds of harmful bacteria (including Salmonella and Campylobacter) that can cause intestinal problems in pets and humans.
• Turkey bones should never be fed to pets. They can easily splinter and cause tears or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.
• If you will be having a large number of visitors and your pet isn't used to so much company, consider confining your pet to a quiet part of the house. This will also prevent your guests from feeding too many treats to your pets.

Meet Pumpkin, Latest Member of the Hero Pet Club!

Pumpkin, a 3 year old guinea pig, came to VACC with a possible urinary infection. As you can see from his x-ray, Pumpkin had a very large bladder stone. Dr. Clayton surgically removed the stone, and Pumpkin has since recovered.

A New Animal Control Law for Massachusetts

An updated animal control law was signed by Governor Patrick on August 2nd and went into effect on October 31st of this year. 

Following are some key points of the new law.

• Funds will be designated to offset the cost of spaying/neutering and vaccinating pets in shelters and those owned by low income families. The fund will also provide training for animal control officers- something that was not previously required. When Massachusetts residents file their 2012 taxes, they will have the opportunity to donate to this fund.
• Pets may now be included in domestic violence protection orders. Many victims of domestic abuse do not leave a dangerous situation because they fear that their pets will be harmed. This section of the new law will protect both people and their animals.
• The dangerous breed dog law has been updated to focus on individual problem dogs and their owners. All previous breed-specific town laws (like those banning pit bulls) have been nullified by the new state law.

You can read the law in its entirety here.

Halloween Safety for Pets

Here are some tips to keep your pet happy and safe this Halloween.

• No candy! Treats made with chocolate and the artificial sweetener xylitol are toxic to pets and other treats can cause an upset stomach.  If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, or the animal poison control center at (888) 426-4435.
• Be careful that no one slips out the door. With trick-or-treaters in and out all night, a pet can sneak out, so it might be a good idea to confine pets away from the door. Make sure all identification tags are up to date, just in case.
• Watch out for fire hazards. If you choose to put candles inside your pumpkins, put them in an area where they won't be knocked over by a rambunctious pet.
• Make sure your pet's costume fits properly.  It shouldn't restrict your pet's ability to see, hear, bark or meow, move, or breathe. Put the costume on your pet a day or two before Halloween for a test run. If your pet seems annoyed or uncomfortable, you may want to consider a different costume, or even a Halloween bandanna.
• Unless your pet is the most social of creatures, keep them at home during your trick-or-treating adventures. Many pets aren't used to crowds, and lots of kids in costumes can cause anxiety.