Kingsbrook Animal Hospital's Blog: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Chocolate Toxicity


This sweet Senior patient came into Kingsbrook with a history of consuming a large amount of milk chocolate the previous night. "Chipper" presented with symptoms of restlessness, pacing, panting and shaking. Although dark chocolate is more likely to cause toxicity, because of the large volume consumed and the small stature of the dog, it was determined toxicity was likely. Chipper was hospitalized on IV fluids and a variety of medications and is on his way to recovery, thank goodness!!

* Theobromide, a component of chocolate, is toxic to dogs. It can cause central nervous and cardiac stimulation, increased blood pressure, nausea/vomiting and death.

Friday, May 28, 2010

What's in a Name?


Kylie's Miss Behavin'

I met my new mom today when she came to take me to my forever home. I lived on a farm and was a little smelly, so we stopped for a bath at PetSmart. My mom bought me food, bones, a collar and leash, lots of toys and a shiny new name tag.
When we got home, I met the rest of the family. I don't think the cat was happy to have a new sister. But she'll just have to adjust because I'm a city dog now. I have a big yard and I get to sleep under the covers with my mom and dad. Ohhh, this is the life!

The next morning, mom and dad let me outside to do my business before they went to work. What's work? Do I get to go too? I guess not. I decided to eat my breakfast and then take a nap. After my nap, I got a little bored and decided that the couch wasn't soft enough so I decided to remove some stuffing. That's much better. OK, I'm still bored. How long is work? When are mom and dad coming home? I'll just go find them.

I look at the door where they went to work. I try the knob but it won't turn. HMMMMMM. Wait, there's a window close to the door and I can see outside. I scratch at the window and the screen tore. Too small, I can't fit through. I'll just scratch a little more and squeeze. Free at last!

Which way is work? I'll try this way. I say hi to the neighbor and he calls me over to be petted. He grabs me, calls my grandpa and tells him I'm a bad dog.

Pap comes to get me and takes me to his house until mom and dad get home from work. He locks me in the kitchen but he left the window over the sink cracked a little. I remember how to open it, so I jump on the sink, squeeze out the window and the search is on again.

Pap sees me go out the window and he comes running. He's yelling lots of words I've never heard before, especially when he steps on a rock in his bare feet. I keep running. Pap keeps chasing me. This is so much fun, but why is he calling me a bad dog? I was just bored.

Finally mom and dad come home from work. Pap called to tell them where I was and that I was a bad dog. Mom was laughing so hard I thought she was going to make a puddle. We were so happy to see each other. She took me to PetSmart again and bought me another present. She called it a crate.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Running a petting zoo...and not charging admission (cont.)


Then the rest…

LilliAnna is a 6 year old spayed female Pot bellied pig. I adopted her 5.5 years ago from people who were moving to town limits and couldn’t take her. She is very sweet to me, rolling over for belly rubs and scratches, but tends to bite anyone else…Her and Sammi are good friends, you can find him napping beside her in the straw on a sunny afternoon.
She lives outdoors in a “summer home” while it’s warm, but becomes a house pig and resides in the attached garage when it’s cold and/or snowy. She does not like snow! She is on a strict diet of low-fat piggy pellets to keep her girlish figure (She’s pushing 100 lbs), but will eat anything but radishes and beets…I don’t blame her!

Austin is a 7 year old neutered male Dachshund that I adopted from Dachshund Rescue of North America almost 2 years ago. He originally lived with a family in NC, but he slipped a disk in his back and became paralyzed. His family was unable to care for him with a disability and rescue was able to take him to a foster in VA. He lived with his foster mom for a year before I adopted him. He uses a cart to run in outside and we’ve managed his disability with various aides like diapers and the Protect-A-Pet sak the keep him clean and dry and free of rug burn. He loves to play ball, bark at the neighbors and pull all the stuffing out of his “babies”. He is definitely full of life and could care less his back legs don’t work.

Sugar and Spice are 2 female Sugar Gliders I received as a gift last year for my birthday. Sugar is an adult, somewhere between 5-7 years old and Spice is 3. They are very cute and fun to watch. They love to eat mealworms out of your hand, but will take a flying leap and land on your face if you don’t turn your head!

Andre is a 1 year old black male Flemish Giant that came from another family that was moving and couldn’t keep him. He is a big bun at 12 lbs but a total sweetheart. He is the newest addition, adopted a few weeks ago. He’ll climb into your lap to be petted and lets you hold him (trance him) like a baby. He enjoys playing with the dog too.

When my fiancée Josh moved in, he also brought fish tanks. We currently have a 20 gallon saltwater tank w/ a Damsel fish and live rock and a 55 gallon freshwater tank with a breeding pair of cichlids, their 3 offspring, an orange unrelated cichlid, a random catfish, and a Gourami.

Whew! So that’s the history on our clan.

Welcome to the Zoo.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Running a petting zoo...and not charging admission (cont.)


Chapter 2

Their stories… (If you’re bored, stop here. It only gets more detailed)

Let’s start with the cats. I will keep this as concise as possible. My cats are my passion and I could write volumes about them, about us, but I’ll spare you the cat loving dribble.

So, in alphabetical order (Yep, there are really 7)

Butters- 6 year old neutered male longhaired orange tabby. He is the newest cat and the one I thought may never get adjusted to a multi-cat household (that’s professional speak for owned by the Crazy Cat Lady- a title I happily wear) I offered to adopt him from Stacy, another tech here at Kingsbrook, when he redirected his aggression towards her other 3 cats (even though he’d grown up with them). The addition of 2 new baby humans and busy schedules seemed to be too much for this giant (he is huge!). But by relocating him, the other cats “put him in his place”, literally, as the hierarchy shifted and he was no longer dominate. He socializes well now with the other cats and allows me to pet him (on his terms). He is the most independent resident we have.

Ferdinand Magellan- 7ish neutered male longhaired tabby. He was a foster cat from the humane society that never left. I officially adopted him 3 years ago. When I got him, he had no hair, was emaciated and covered in fleas. He was neutered and wore a flea collar though! He was a stray, from the rough part of town, but was as affectionate and clingy as they get. From the moment I brought him home, he never left my side and has befriended ever cat he’s ever met. He’s also been the nurse-maid to 3 litters of kittens I’ve raised (cleans them, sleeps with them). He is the peace-maker at home and grooms the other cats.

JJ- 2 year old neutered male shorthaired tabby- I found him while I lived in NW PA, on my way to work in a snow storm (it snowed a lot up there). He was only about 7 weeks old, crossing the road in front of the Sheetz gas station, hence his original name. He was adopted by a lady I worked with for her elderly mother, whom passed a year ago, and JJ came back to live with me(with a few bad habits like eating bread through the bag and counter surfing). He is the most agile and energetic, next to Pirate Fox.

Johnnie Cotton- 4 year old neutered male longhaired white and tabby- Another PA transplant, I think he wandered down the street from the dairy farm close to my previous house. I found him mewing loudly in the bushes during a thunder-storm. He was about 8 weeks old and so cute! Johnnie is passive but not easily intimidated.
Pirate Fox- 2 year old neutered male longhaired orange tabby- He is Butters “Mini-Me”- he looks just like him in miniature form (His legs are unusually short and stumpy)! I adopted him 1.5 years ago from Promise Animal League, a rescue I work closely with. He is wild and crazy and totally hilarious most of the time.

Sammi- 12 year old neutered male white shorthair- He was rescued 3 years ago from a previous owner who was unable to keep him because she was moving to a retirement home. He lived with her as an only cat for 10 years and still screams if another cat gets within his personal space. He sleeps beside by head, laying on my arm, every night.

Willow Marie- 7 year old spayed female Sphynx- the only cat I’ve ever bought from a breeder! I got her 4 years ago from a breeder in TN, who was selling her as a queen (breeding female). I did breed her once; she had 4 babies, and was spayed shortly after. She sleeps under the covers in bed all day, coming out periodically to nibble at her dry food and use the facilities. She has a small duffle bag full of kitty contour and enjoys weekly bathes and outfit changes. She sleeps on the other side on my head every night.

So, those are all the cats. Then the rest…

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Running a Petting Zoo…and not charging admission


Chapter 1

When I meet someone new for the first time, we exchange pleasantries and then they ask “What do you do?” I smile and say “I’m a vet tech, like a nurse for animals”. Then they say “Oh, I could never do that! The blood and surgery and then it’s so sad when they have to be put to sleep”. And I reply, “Yes, it is sad but we make it as comfortable as possible”.

The next question they ask me is “How many pets do you have?” Ah, the loaded question…I don’t like to quantify, mostly ‘cause people stare at me like I’m crazy if I say 11 plus fish… So I begin to rattle off the list and make them do the counting. “I have 7 cats, a dachshund, a pot bellied pig, 2 sugar gliders, a Flemish Giant bunny and a handful of fish”. They still stare at me in disbelief (or horror). I smile and add “One of the cats is a Sphynx, a hairless cat like from the “Austin Powers” movies and my Doxie is paralyzed and uses a cart to get around. Then people usually laugh because they think I’m joking. They stop when they see I’m not. The animal lovers ask about how/where I acquired each one, other people walk to the other end of the room or start talking to the “normal” person beside them.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Grab Your Leashes for Walk-N-Wag 2010!


The Frederick County Humane Society’s 16th Annual Walk-N-Wag will be held Saturday, May 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Frederick’s Baker Park.

“This is our major fundraising event of the entire year,” said Brigitte Farrell, Executive Director. “We rely on hundreds of dog lovers to raise pledges and then come out to the park for an awesome day of fun with their beloved animal companions.” Proceeds from the event will benefit FCHS programs, including the pet food bank and emergency veterinary assistance programs.

FCHS again is teaming up with Clear Channel Radio Stations WFMD and WFRE to promote and participate at the event. Radio personalities Bob Miller and David Conrad will be the event emcees and broadcast live from the Gazebo.

The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. when the registration tent opens, followed by welcoming remarks by Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, the traditional Blessing of the Animals, and the Walk around Baker Park at 10:00 a.m. Folks can enjoy live music and great food, visit with dozens of animal rescue groups, sponsors and vendors, enter their dogs in fun doggy contests and win great prizes. Also featured are a demonstration by the Mad Dogs Flying Disk Club, and a performance by “Mutts Gone Nuts.”

Avoid the crowds at Registration by registering now online at www.walk-n-wag.com, or at the Pre-Registration Party on Thursday, May 20 at 217 West Patrick Street from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. All participants who raise at least $50 in pledges win prizes, and all registrants will receive a goodie bag provided by sponsors and a Walk-N-Wag doggy bandana.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Lookin for Love


Hi! I am a sweet male stray kitty in need of home. I was neutered, dewormed and vaccinated at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital. I tested negative for Felv/FiV. You can visit me at the hospital or call for more information.

Tasty Fundraiser Benefits FCHS


Dine Out for the Animals. The Frederick County Humane Society has a tasty fundraiser. Enjoy delicious salads, burritos and more at California Tortilla, followeed by a yummy ice cream treat at Coldstone Creamery! These two great eateries are located right next door to each other at 1700 Kingfisher Drive (route 26 Gia...nt Foods strip mall, heading toward Walkersville from Route 15). Thursday, May 13th from 5-9pm. You must use the secret password "BIGGLES" when ordering your food at California Tortilla. See you there!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Creative Name


The most creative name award goes to (drum roll, please) Admiral Wolverine Lightning Bolt.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Angel


Angel is a lovely Austrailian Shepherd that was adopted from a rescue. She travels around with her new mom to nursing homes and brightens the residents' day. She is definitely living up to her name.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

New Dog Friendly Ride


We dote over them, bake them special bisquits, buy them expensive toys they shred into a million peices, all because we love them! Now we can buy a new vehicle designed just for them! Honda is introduced the new Dog Friendly Honda Element.

http://automobiles.honda.com/images/2010/element/downloads/ElementDogFriendlyFactSheet.pdf

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Microchipping Update


The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has introduced a free online lookup tool that instantly provides the manufacturer's contact number for most microchips produced in the United States.

In a study of 53 animal shelters, approximately 75% of the owners of microchipped stray pets were found. The most common reason owners could not be located was incorrect or disconnected telephone numbers.

New technology can never fix the age-old problem of out-of-date registration information, so don't forget to update your information if you move or get a new phone number.

For more information log onto www.petmicrochiplookup.org