Kingsbrook Animal Hospital's Blog: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Bird Brain?!?


TOKYO - When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.

Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.

He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.

"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.

"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.

The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.

But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials.

"I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said. msnbc.com

Sunday, December 28, 2008

New Dog Park in Frederick


In mid-November, the City of Frederick held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its brand new dog park, located about 75 yards behind the FCHS's building on 217 West Patrick. The park is located at the corner of Bentz and Carroll Parkway in the former Tot Park.

To help make the dog park experience as pleasant and rewarding as possible for dogs and their owners, the FCHS will offer one-time Dog Park Etiquette seminars, starting in February of 2009.

These seminars, offered in partnership with the City, will be held the first and third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at our facility or the dog park, depending on the weather. You can register for the classes at the Talley Rec Center; the cost is $6 for city residents; $12 for non-city residents. We are truly excited to be working with the City on this new venture!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Holidays


The doctors and staff of Kingsbrook Animal Hospital would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Time to Give Back


From now until March 31, 2009, Kingsbrook Animal Hospital will dontate $1.00 to the Frederick County Animal Control Shelter when you pay your bill using a debit card instead of credit.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Solid Gold Voluntary Recall


Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula Canned Dog Food 13.2ozCans

POP-TOP CANS ONLY WITH A 'USE BY DATE 01/02/2010' located on the bottom of can. A limited production of this Turkey canned food was made with the POP-TOP, and none of the product was distributed in any of the following states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii, or Alaska.

Solid Gold has received several complaints regarding mold found in a batch of 13.2 oz canned Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula, with Pop-Tops. As a precautionary measure, they ask that you return any of this product with the 'Use By Date 01/02/2010'; you will find these numbers on the bottom of the cans.

13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish Canned Dog Food. Purple label with a POP -TOP (Pull top) only. Date on bottom of can 01/02/2010 Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not affected.

Single black female looking for love


I am a single, black female looking for love. I tend to be quiet and shy around strangers but warm up once I get to know you. I love to spend time indoors and snuggle with my one and only. I will be 2 years old in March. I have been spayed, microchipped and am up to date on my vaccinations. I am a victim of divorce and am looking for someone to love.

If you have room in your heart and are interested in adopting Blackie, please contact Nora (Monday, Wednesday or Fridays) at 301-631-6900. Serious inquiries only, please.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Limping Cat



Clyde, a 10 year old domestic shorthair presented to Kingsbrook Animal Hospital with front limb lameness. He was declawed in the front, a procedure that was performed elsewhere when he was much younger. Upon examination, the front paw had an abnormally hard, swollen area and Clyde was taken to radiology. As you can see from the radiograph, there is a bony protuberence from the end of one of the phalanges. Clyde was taken to surgery and it was discovered that one of the nails was not completely removed and had grown continuously in a circular fashion for quite some time. The resulting nail and nail bed was removed and Clyde recovered without incident.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My Dog Lives Here


My dog lives here, he's here to stay.
You don’t like pets, be on your way.
He shares my home, my food, my space
This is his home, this is his space.

You will find dog hair on the floor,
He will alert you’re at the door.
He may request a little pat,
A simple “no” will settle that.

It gripes me when I hear you say
“just how is it you live this way?
He smells, he sheds, he's in the way….”
WHO ASKED YOU? Is all I can say….

He loves me more than anyone,
My voice is like the rising sun,
He merely has to hear me say
“C’mon Mason, time to play.”

Then his tail wags and his face grins,
He bounces and hops and makes a din.
He never says “no time for you”,
he's always there, to GO and DO.

And if I’m sad? He's by my side
And if I’m mad? He circles wide
And if I laugh, he laughs with me
He understands, he always sees.

So once again, I say to you
Come visit me, but know this too….

My dog lives here, he's here to stay.
You don’t like pets, be on your way.
He shares my home, my food, my space
This is his home, this is his place….


Author Unknown

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Pet Portals


Pet Portals are individual, personalized pet health websites that are available to all clients who have e-mail addresses in our system. Pet Portals display your pets' current health information, such as vaccinations, diets, and prescriptions. You may access the website 24 hours a day to view your pets' health information, request medication refills, request appointments, and to contact our hospital about non-urgent pet health issues.

Kingsbrook clients can access the library of care guides and related videos to review pet related topics ranging from behavior and training to brushing your pets teeth.

You may also use Pet Portals to set up a reminder system to automatically e-mail you when your dog is due for his monthly heartworm preventative or you cat is due for her recheck exam.

Contact our office at 301-631-6900 if you are interested in obtaining a Pet Portal

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tidbits: Factual, Funny , Fascinating


* Images from Google Earth reveal that cattle tend to align their bodies in a north-south direction. Wild deer also display this behavior-a phenomenon that has previously gone unnoticed. The explanation remains a mystery. National Geographic News

* Within 100 milliseconds of seeing a moving swatter, a fly's brain can calculate the position of the impending threat and place its legs and body in an optmal position that allows it to jump in the opposite direction. Science Daily

* The Louisana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and its Wildlife Hospital treated about 100 pets, 100 baby squirrels, and a number of baby birds in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. www.vetmed.lsu.edu

*An estimated 1 in 10 celebrants, or 7.4 million households, plan on dressing their pets in costume this Halloween. Top 5 animal costumes: devils, pumpkins, witches, princesses, and angels. National Retail Federation

* The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously to designate the manatee as a threatened species rather than endangered. A recent survey found 3,116 manatees in Florida waters, up from 1,267 in 1991. Associated Press

* According to a recent survery, more than two thirds of Americans would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet than their partner. Reuters

Monday, December 8, 2008

Handmade Scarves To Warm The Heart


Buy a handmade scarf for you or as a gift for someone else! When you purchase a scarf, not only are you keeping you or someone else warm but you're helping an animal keep warm this winter as well! The profits go towards buying blankets and supplies for local animal shelters.

This year’s chosen shelter is Hampshire County Animal Control. I have an extra special spot in my heart for this shelter and the volunteers. It's an outdoor shelter with very little governmaent funding. The volunteers work long hours to insure that the animals are taken care of and that they quickly find good forever homes. They are located in West Virginia but bring many dogs to Frederick for special adoption events held at SuperPetz each month. Most importantly, it is where I adopted my furry child 2 years ago.

The turn around time for scarves is about a week. Each one is custom made, you decide on the look of your scarf! Width, length, color, type of yarn, style, the possibilities are endless! The minimum donation is $10 (of course, you can give more if you like). Add the cost of materials and that’s the cost of your scarf! Extras like fringe are only $1 per scarf! And felt cutout designs are only 50 cents per cutout!

100% of your donation goes directly to the shelter, either in the form of a check or as a box of supplies. With the proceeds from last year, I was able to donate 15 blankets and a check at the shelters winter adoption event at SuperPetz. This is an easy way to help make a difference!

Email me at LunasReincarnate@yahoo.com (subject line “scarf”) for more info or to place an order.

Robyn Wiegand

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Holiday Hazards


Holiday seasons are a time of celebration with friends and family-furry, four-legged ones included. But colder weather, decorations and parties can create safety hazards for pets. Make sure your holidays stay festive with these simple tips to keep your pet healthy and safe.

* De-icing products, salt and ice can get into fur and paws, causing skin irritation or more serious conditions. Wipe your pet's paws and tummy when he comes in from the cold. Take care to wipe up spilled antifreeze-dogs and cats like the sweet taste and can ingest deadly amounts. Better yet, use pet-friendly asnitfreeze products.

* Keep holiday decorations out of your pets reach. Ingestion of glass, metal, ribbons or tinsel can lead to serious medical emergencies. Also, snow globes and artifical snow contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets if ingested or inhaled.

* Place live holiday plants high off the ground. Pretty as they are, ivy, holly, mistletoe, pointsettia, lillies and Christmas greens can all be toxic to animals when ingested.

* Everyone loves a party, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of holiday guests can frighten animals and cause them to run away. Designate a quiet, secure room for your pets away from the crowd and be sure that your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar with current ID tags.

* Fatty holiday meats can cause a number of gastrointestinal problems while bones can cause bowel obstructions or choking. And remember: no chocolate for pets. The sweet stuff contains a chemical that is highly toxic to pets.

The doctors and staff of Kingsbrook Animal Hospital wish your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Tidbits: Factual, Funny Facinating


* The Red Cross has released a new book dedicated solely to the health and well-being of dogs. Dog First Aid is a health and emergency preparedness guide with a full-length instructional DVD to make care even easier for dog owners. (Press release 10/3/07)

* Fed up with rodents running through Russia's Hermitage palace, Empress Elizabeth decreed in the 18th century that the best ratters be sent to St. Petersburg. Today 50 cats live at the palace, now a museum, and the staff make voluntary contributions to pay for their upkeep. The cats are considered so important that they have their own press secretary. (Press release 10/5/07)

* Animal Care & Control of New York City, a nonprofit organization that runs the city's animal shelter system, recently introduced a novel public awareness ad campaign that features mug-shot like, black and white photographs of 6 different cats and dogs that need a home. Animals waer signs around their necks that list their "crimes"... from "owner missing" and "owner died" to "landlord objected and "victim of divorce." (Press release 8/13/07)

* Thousands of walrus have appeared on Alaska's northwest coast in what conservationists are calling a dramatic consequence of global warming. Usually found on the Artic ice pack during summer and fall, the walrus have gathered on Alaska's rocky beaches as a result of the lowest summer ice cap on record. (Associated Press 10/8/07)

* In an effort to help curb exponential growth in the stray dog and cat population that is taking a heavy toll on Honduran wildlife, much of which is endangered, 24 volunteers from the University of Florida provided free medical examinations, vaccinations, deworming, and spay/neutering for local pets. Intervet. a sponsor of the continuing program, supplied vaccines and funds to cover the cost of medical equipment. (Press release 9/2/07)

Monday, December 1, 2008


Every fall, the Animal Welfare League of Frederick County (AWLFC) begins to prepare for the holidays by making Holiday Stockings for your beloved cats and dogs. These stockings are filled with love in the form of treats, toys and lots of yummy goodies for your furry friend. Only $15 each for dog stockings and $12 for cat stockings, the stockings are packed with yummy treats and toys!

AWL volunteers will sell stockings at the Giant Food Stores on Rt. 40 and Rt. 26 on Dec. 6th, 13th, and 20th from 11:00am – 2:00pm. You can also order a stocking by emailing us at info@awlfc.org or calling us at 301-663-5855. Proceeds benefit all AWL programs toward ending pet homelessness in Frederick County.

The staff of Kingsbrook Animal Hospital would like to thank the volunteers at AWL for helping animals in need at Christmas and all throughout the year.

Ease Up On The Treats


A veterinary charity in Britain is holding a 100-day fitness contest for eight of the country's plumpest pets. Whichever animal achieves the biggest percentage weight loss and best sticks to its regimen will be the winner. Above, a veterinary nurse holds Tinks, a contender who tips the scales at 21 pounds.

The seven dogs and one cat, selected by the veterinary charity PDSA, are all more than 30 percent overweight and weigh a combined total of 421 pounds. The animals, which will be put on individual exercise programs, need to shed a total of 163 pounds to reach their ideal weight.

"Alongside their daily portions of pet food, owners often show their affection by giving unhealthy human treats such as cheese, buttered toast and biscuits. They don't realize they are actually killing their pets with kindness," said Sean Wensley, a veterinary surgeon at PDSA. (Source: Reuters)