Things to do with Your Dog on Cape Cod (Part 2!)

Cape Cod is a great place to visit with your dog! Last year, we suggested some places to take your dog on the Cape. This year, we thought we'd do it again. Remember to always consider your dog's unique personality- what is fun for some may be very stressful for others. If you'll be staying for more than a day, check out the pet-friendly lodging available on the Cape.

Cape Cod currently has three dog parks with fenced in areas where dogs can run and play off leash:

• The Fresh Pond Dog Park on Route 134 in Dennis
• The Falmouth Dog Park on Brick Kiln Road in Falmouth
• The Pilgrim Bark Park at the intersection of Route 6 and Shank Painter Road in Provincetown

You and your dog can start off your summer on Cape Cod with one of these fun events:

• Carnival of Dogs: June 1st
• Paws for Celebration: June 22nd

You can also snuggle with your pooch while you watch the double feature at the Wellfleet Drive-In, take a stroll along the paved Cape Cod Canal Trail in Bourne, or hike through Nickerson State Park in Brewster.
If your dog deserves an extra-special treat (and don't they all) bring him with you to Polar Cave. When you buy some ice cream for yourself, they'll make something special for your pup- vanilla ice cream with a dog cookie on top.

Whatever you choose to do with your dog on the Cape this summer, be sure to bring plenty of water and dog waste bags, as well as any other essentials like food or medications if you'll be away from home for an extended time.
Have a safe and happy summer from everyone at VACC!

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Governor Patrick has declared May to be "Lyme Disease Awareness Month."  Lyme disease can be fatal to dogs, and Cape Cod has one of the worst tick populations in the world. As you can see in the picture below, the ticks that carry Lyme disease are very tiny and can be difficult to find, especially on dogs with long or thick fur.

Here are some tips to help you protect your canine friend from Lyme disease:

• Use a monthly tick preventive. Ask you veterinarian which preventive is best for your dog.
• Consider giving your long-haired dog a seasonal trim. Ticks will be easier to see if your dog's hair is cut short.
• Brush your dog with a fine-toothed comb after prolonged periods outdoors. This can help remove ticks before they have a chance to bite your dog.
• Make your yard unattractive to ticks. Clean up leaf litter, cut tall grass, and clear away brush. If your yard borders a wooded area, use wood chips or gravel between the woods and your lawn to prevent ticks from traveling into your yard.
• Have your dog screened for Lyme disease. At VACC, we test our canine patients yearly for Lyme disease (as well as other tick-borne diseases and heartworm) using a simple, in-house blood test. The sooner Lyme disease is diagnosed, the more likely the treatment will be effective.
• Be aware of the symptoms. Dogs do not get the same characteristic "bull's eye" rash that is seen in humans, and often will show no symptoms of the disease. Generalized pain, change in appetite, sudden lameness in one or multiple limbs, and high fever are all signs of Lyme disease. Symptoms may not appear for 7-21days (or longer) after a tick bite, so be sure to monitor your dog closely in the weeks following a possible encounter with a tick.
• Remove any embedded ticks right away. Transmission of the disease can happen in just 2 hours, so pull the tick out as soon as you see it. Click here for instructions on how to remove a tick.

Raccoon Rabies Vaccine Baiting

Beginning on April 29th, baits containing rabies vaccines will be left around some Cape Cod towns in an effort to protect the community from raccoon rabies.  The baits are not harmful to pets or humans, but they are made of fishmeal, so they will be attractive to cats and dogs. The baits will be left out in Barnstable and all towns east to Orleans in areas where raccoons are likely to be found, and will be labeled with a warning message and phone number. Again, the baits are not harmful to pets, but you can call the USDA Wildlife Services Rabies Program Coordinator, Brian Bjorklund at (508) 476-2715 (office) or (413) 537-9394 (cell) if you are concerned about an accidental ingestion. The baiting program will go on until May 20th.

Reunited!

Microchipping is a simple procedure that can greatly increase the chances of having your lost pet returned to you.  Here are just a few stories of pets being reunited with their families thanks to the microchip:

George was missing for 13 years before animal control finally contacted his owners with the news that he was found.

Shady ended up 900 miles from her home, but got back to her family thanks to her microchip.

Holly traveled 200 miles before her microchip was scanned by a veterinarian, who was then able to find her family.



If your pet is already microchipped, make sure that all of your contact information is up to date with the microchip company. If your pet is not microchipped, contact your veterinarian, or give us a call at VACC (508) 394-3566. The procedure takes just seconds, and can be done without anesthesia.

April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month

The Animal Legal Defense Fund's 2012 Animal Protection Laws Rankings is a list of states with the best and worst laws for animals.

According to the list, Massachusetts (ranking at number 15) is one of the better states for animals.
In honor of Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, here are the top 5 states with the best animal protection laws:

1. Illinois
2. Maine
3. California
4. Michigan
5. Oregon

Pet Hospice

Dealing with the loss of a pet is never easy. The days, weeks, or months leading up to the end of a pet's life can be even more difficult. Hospice focuses on keeping your pet as comfortable as possible in his own home during his last days, and gives you the chance to say goodbye.

At VACC, we are here to help you through this difficult time. Whether you need instruction on how to give treatments at home, or advice on the best ways to keep your pet comfortable, we are available.

If you find yourself caring for a terminally ill pet, another great resource is New England Pet Hospice. Their staff are trained in hospice and palliative care, and will come to your home to assist you with the care of your pet. New England Pet Hospice is in the process of expanding to Cape Cod, and they hope to have hands on care for all of the Cape by the end of 2013. If they are not available in your area yet, they do currently have the ability to provide support remotely via phone or email.
In addition to caring for your pet in your home, New England Pet Hospice also has an Interfaith Advisor who can provide grief support, as well as funerals and memorial ceremonies.

Pet hospice is quickly becoming more commonplace. If you live outside of New England and are looking for resources, the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care is a great place to start. There you can find a list of hospice care professionals, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, and more information about hospice.

Caring for a Pet Rabbit

Easter is almost here, and many people will choose to buy a pet rabbit for the holiday. While there are many reasons to avoid bringing a new pet home for Easter, rabbits can make good pets if they are cared for properly.  If you choose to add a rabbit to your family, the best place to get one is from a shelter or rescue.
Rabbits have some very specific needs and can live between 7 and 10 (or more) years. Here are some rabbit care tips to ensure you and your rabbit have a long and happy life together:

• Have the proper housing. The minimum cage size for rabbits is 2' X 2' X 4', but they do require exercise time outside of the cage every day. Choose a cage with a solid floor, as wire bottomed cages can cause foot problems for your rabbit.
• Keep your rabbit inside. Rabbits are very social animals, and often do not do well if isolated outdoors. If you have an outdoor exercise area for your rabbit, don't leave her alone even for a few minutes. Most predators can easily get through or around fencing, and the mere presence of a predator can create panic in your rabbit, causing severe injury or even death.
• Learn how to handle your rabbit. Always lift your rabbit with both hands. By supporting his chest with one hand and his hing legs with the other hand, you will have less chance of injuring your friend.
• Always supervise children. Rabbits are fragile animals and can be easily injured if they are not held properly.
• Choose the right diet. Always have fresh water and grass hay available to your rabbit at all times. Your rabbit's diet should also be supplemented with commercial rabbit pellets, dark leafy greens, and vegetables. Don't feed too many pellets. A full grown rabbit should be fed between 1/8 and 1/4 cup per 5 pounds of body weight, per day. 
• Provide plenty of exercise and attention. Rabbits should have several hours to romp and play and interact with you outside of the cage. This is a good time to brush your rabbit with a soft-bristled brush to remove excess hair. Be sure to bunny-proof any rooms your rabbit will have access to. Protect electrical cords, or any other object your rabbit might try to chew.
• Have your rabbit spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering reduces the chance of urine spraying, a behavior the rabbit uses to mark its territory. The procedure can also reduce aggression associated with territory, and lessen chewing behavior.
• Teach your rabbit to use a litter box. Your rabbit will naturally eliminate in the same area of her cage every time. Once you know which spot your rabbit prefers, you can place a litter box there, lined  with newspaper and filled with grass hay or pelleted newspaper litter. Clean the litter box daily, and your rabbit's cage will stay clean longer. Once your rabbit is regularly using her litter box, and you have bunny-proofed the room, you can leave her cage door open to allow her more space to stretch her legs.

If you have a new pet rabbit, one of the vets here at VACC would be happy to look him over to make sure he is in good health! Just give us a call to make an appointment: (508) 394-3566