Make Memorial Day 2016 a Good Memory

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

Memorial Day 2016 will be here very soon. This important holiday, which informally marks the start of the summer season, was established to honor all Americans who died while serving in the military. It was originally called “Decoration Day” and was first observed in 1868.

 

Every year, we all get together to celebrate, be together, maybe cook delicious food, and enjoy ourselves. And every year, we, as loving pet owners, determine to share “just a little treat” with begging Fideaux of the big sad eyes!

 

And every year, we at Pet Emergency Clinic treat a large number of those “begging Phydeauxs of the big sad eyes” for vomiting and diarrhea. Never fails.

 

So, why am I combining Memorial Day with diarrhea? Because they seem to go together as regards pets. That’s why!

 

Well, what can you do…???? I thought you would never ask!!

 

1- Do not feed your pet ANY new food during this time. Rather, give the pet lots of love and attention in lieu of diarrhea-causing treats and people food.

 

2- Keep your pet contained this holiday. The next most popular holiday fare at the ER is “Big Dog- Little Dog” fights and wounds.

 

 

Memorial Day is an important day on which we honor our American heroes. Do 1 and 2 above so the focus may stay on the heroes rather than the pets we have maybe made ill.

 

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Here I Come…. Rock Me Like A Hurricane

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

We recently observed the 10-year anniversary of Rita, the “forgotten” hurricane.

In the past, I had rather smugly concluded that our area responded to Rita in a far superior way to New Orleans’s response to Katrina, which occurred just a few weeks prior.

And I suppose that is true. But the idea that Calcasieu people were just hardier and more self-sufficient than those from New Orleans may need re-thinking.

I believe that we responded better to Rita because we were PREPARED and ready after watching what had occurred in New Orleans.

Katrina in New Orleans made us all at least consider what we would do “if,” and we were better for it.

So, what is my point?

It is this: Make some sort of plan for disaster. Whether it be a hurricane, fire, or flood remember your pets. Have a “go kit” for your pets that may include proof of vaccination, possibly a small supply of food and water, medicine if appropriate, carriers for evacuation, etc. … etc.

You get the idea.

ANY plan, no matter how simple and unsophisticated, is far superior to nothing.

So … right now! Create your pet emergency plan. (And maybe a human one too!)

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Peanut Butter Poisoning?

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

You may have seen in the news that some peanut butters may be toxic to dogs because they contain the sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is fine for people and is most often found in sugar-free gums.

But, in dogs, the product radically lowers the blood sugar to a point that could even be fatal. (This would be similar to a diabetic having an overdose of insulin) Do understand that the severity of the problem is usually related to just how much your dog got. That is, a tiny amount may be zero problems but a large amount may be a big problem.

So, if, like many pet owners, you give your pet pills in peanut butter, avoid any that are sweetened with Xylitol.

Some brands that use xylitol include: “Go Nuts,” “Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter,” “Krush Nutrition,” “Nuts n More,” and “P28.”

There are several other names used for xylitol that include anhydroxylitol, birch bark extract, xylite, xylitylglucoside, and zylatol.

We have seen xylitol poisonings at the ER related to ingesting sugar-free gums, but so far no peanut butter problems.

As always, preventing problems with superior knowledge and planning trumps treating problems every time!

And finally,” Choosy Mothers Choose Non-xylitol-sweetened Peanut Butters.” So true!

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Ev’ry Rose Has Its Thorn

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers, 

Recently, doctors at Pet ER have treated several pets believed to have ingested some sort of poison. The vast majority of these pets did very well, but info on this topic will be helpful, so here are several “poison points” for you….

Poison is not just one thing. Many clients sort of have the idea that being poisoned is one discreet thing that is treated on one way. Remember that ANYTHING to excess, even water and oxygen, can become a poison, so, of course, knowing the exact poison in the body helps a lot with treatment.

In many cases, the actual poison may be unknown, but a general treatment may be similar. This usually includes IV fluids to flush the system, and treatment of any specific symptoms.

Many people believe that there is an antidote for every poison, and this is mostly not true. Though there are antidotes to many specific poisons, such as rat poisons (D Con, etc.) and organophosphates (Sevin Dust, etc), for many poisons, we simply have to keep the pet alive while the material clears the body.

The vast majority of poisonings are caused by you, the pet owner. ( Sorry, I said it) How so? Mostly, it is in some attempt to help the pet (giving Tylenol or Advil), some attempt to kill a varmint (Rat Poison), some attempt to kill a flea (Permethrin flea products, esp in cats), some attempt to prevent heartworms on the cheap (cattle dewormer as heartworm prevention),some attempt to prevent car overheat (Changing antifreeze) or some bit of forgetfulness (forgot to put the “nasties” away.)

So, what to do????? Follow my simple tips, of course…

1) Never give anything to your pet unless you KNOW it is ok and you KNOW the correct dose. (I do not mean that “Joe” said it was safe or you dosed it on the internet. Rather, I mean that your DVM specifically ok’ed it and dosed it.)

2) Keep any chemicals, medications or other toxic things put away and in no place that your pet could get to.

3) If your pet has signs of illness, call your DVM right away. (Call ER 337-562-0400 if after hours) If you believe that poisoning is possible, advise the DVM, and provide as much info as you can. That is, just saying “he was poisoned” may not be helpful, but that he may have gotten into “[exact product and amount. Here is the product, etc etc]” will give us our best chance to help.

4) Finally, if your pet got into something that you may be embarrassed to admit, admit it anyway. Your DVM is interested in helping your pet. He is not concerned with whatever it is that is embarrassing you. He just needs data to help your pet. In some cases of accidental marijuana ingestion, I have spent hundreds of dollars on diagnostics that were unnecessary because the owner did not want to reveal what really happened. 
So there you have it. Poison facts for you. (Did you recognize the song in the title?)

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

NEW GAME- If you reply with the name of the group that performed the song that is the title of this post, I will send you a PetER magnet. (Reply with your name and mailing address) [PetER magnets are made of high quality plasticized magnetic material, with crisp graphics, and an amazing number printed on it. If you punch that number into your personal communication device, and if it is after hours, you can commmunicate directly with a PetER human staff member, who of course, you call is very important to. The magnet is able to remain unassisted on your fridge or other metallic device]