Posts from September, 2016

Since September is National Pain Awareness Month, Dr. Anna Coffin will discuss arthritis in cats.  Dr. Anna says that many owners do not recognize the signs and symptoms that cats display when they are in pain.  90% of cats over the age of ten are affected by arthritis. Continue…

This year World Rabies Day is September 28, 2016. Guthrie Pet Hospital is offering a discount on Rabies vaccines from September 19^th – 24^th.

Here is some startling Rabies Statistics:

• 100% preventable.
• 99.9% fatal.
• 59,000 people die every year due to Rabies (half are children).
• Most human cases are from dog bites.
• Millions of dogs are slaughtered every year as a result of the fear of Rabies.
• Post-exposure treatment in people is very expensive compared to the cost of a vaccine for your pet.
• Rabies occurs in every continent except for Australia and Antarctica

Rabies is the oldest disease known to mankind.  The most noteworthy is a written description of a bite from a Rabid dog in the 23^rd century B.C.  This virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal.   In North America, the fox, skunk, raccoon, and bat are the most common source of infection.  The most common source of infection is stray dogs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As a result, millions of dogs are slaughtered to try and prevent this disease.  Also, human exposure and fatalities are more common in the latter countries.

Signs in animals:

• Change in behavior
• Biting without being provoked
• Pica (eating abnormal items such as rocks, nails, and dirt)
• Running for no apparent reason
• A change in vocalization (Hoarse bark or growl or inability to bark or growl)
• Excessive salivation

Signs in humans:

• 80% of cases show pain or itching at the site of the wound
• Fever, lethargy and headache lasting 2-4 days
• Fear of water (Hydrophobia)
• Intolerance to noise, bright lights, and air
• Fear of impending death
• Change in behavior
• In the later stages, the sight of water will provoke spasms in the neck and throat

There is no treatment for animals suspected of Rabies. Therefore, animals must be either quarantined or euthanized, and brain tissue tested for the virus.  Post-exposure treatment with antiserum is very successful in humans if started early.

Prevention:

• Vaccinate your pets
• Avoid being bitten by a dog (or another animal)
  • Understand dog body language
  • Don’t tease or attach dogs
  • Teach children how to act around dogs
  • Teach children to ask before petting a dog
  • If you feel threatened by a dog, stand still and stare at the ground

You can also find more information in my blog Fact vs. Fiction about Rabies from a Guthrie Vet

Guthrie Pet Hospital is offering Rabies vaccines for $7.00 from September 19^th-24^th.  Call to schedule your appointment today.

Written by Stefani Fortney, ABCDT and Dog Groomer       When I tell folks what I do for a living, they usually say something about how much fun it must be to play with dogs all day. I agree—that sounds like it would be fun. What I (and my fellow groomers) do is much more involved than that. Continue…

By Stacey Frazier  There are a huge number of pets that fail to receive the veterinary care they need simply because of the anxiety they experience when a trip to the clinic is necessary. Here at Guthrie Pet Hospital we decided to face that problem head on, leading us to become the first Fear Free certified staff in the state of Oklahoma. Fear Free is an approach to veterinary care that focuses on the sources of anxiety in pets and provides a proven method of managing fear and anxiety through considerate approach and gentle control. Continue…