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4TH OF JULY DOG SAFETY TIPS

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and it is one of the best times of the year to celebrate with family and friends. Fourth of July celebrations are often not the best places for dogs, however. They introduce a wide variety of hazards that are easily avoided. Here, we look at some tips to help you keep your dog safe this summer.

NO SCRAPS!

Fourth of July barbecues are a timeless tradition. Delicious food, great company, and a national holiday are great reasons to celebrate. It is important to remember that no matter how delicious your hamburgers, ribs, chicken wings, and hot dogs might be, they are not dog food. These foods contain way more fat than your dog needs, and can quickly cause an upset stomach. Furthermore, rib bones and chicken bones can be dangerous for your dog. Our advice? Keep the people food for the people, and stock up on some dog treats for your furry friends this Fourth of July.

KEEP THE DOORS AND GATES CLOSEDdreamstime_l_5347069

Events like your annual barbecue are some of the most common time when dogs go missing. With so many people at your home, chances are good that someone might leave a door or gate open at some point. It is important to ensure that everyone is aware that you have pets, and that the doors and gates need to be closed. As we discussed in a previous blog, we highly suggest having your dog microchipped, so that if they do go missing, chances are better that they will be returned.

KEEP YOUR DOGS AT HOME

Just like you, we love our canine companions, and want to take them with us wherever we go. But there are certain places that are simply unfit for a dog, and a fireworks display is definitely one of them. The loud noises and crowds of unusual people and smells can drive your dog crazy, and can also be dangerous. Your pet may become frightened and escape, looking for shelter. Leaving them in your car is also a bad idea (and illegal in California). Your best bet is to leave your dog safely at home while you enjoy the festivities.

Independence Day should be a day you enjoy, and if your pet goes missing, or becomes sick, it won’t be. By following the tips we have outlined in this blog you will have a much better chance of ensuring a fun and safe time for you and your dog. If you need mobile vet services in Los Angeles, we can help. Our vets are standing by around the clock to help you with all of your emergency needs. Contact us today.

THE DANGERS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION FOR DOGS

Summer has arrived, and temperatures are skyrocketing. While summer can be a great season to spend time outdoors with your dog, it also poses a unique set of risks that you don’t have to worry about the rest of the year. The biggest summertime risk for your canine companion is heat exhaustion. Here, we will look at a few of the warning signs for heat exhaustion, dogs who are at a higher risk, and what you can do if your dog succumbs to the heat.

SYMPTOMS

Dogs suffering from heat exhaustion will display a variety of symptoms, including excessive panting, lethargy, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, increased heart rate, and collapsing. If you notice any of these warning signs, you must act quickly.

DOGS AT RISKDog

All dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion, but certain breeds are far more prone. Dogs with short snouts, like bulldogs, pugs, boston terriers, and boxers have trouble panting quickly enough to cool themselves down in extreme heat. Dogs with really thick coats, such as malamutes, american eskimos, and huskies are also at increased risk. Any dog left in a hot environment, such as a car, is at high risk. You should never leave your dog in the car when it is hot outside. Not only is it extremely dangerous for your dog, it is also illegal in California. You risk fines and possible jail time, not to mention the health of your dog.

TREATMENT

If your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, it is extremely important to cool them down safely. Cooling them down too quickly can actually be extremely dangerous. Begin by moving them out of direct sunlight. If you can bring them indoors that is best. Cooling them down with a cool (not ice cold) shower is a great way to safely lower their body temperature. If you have to stay outdoors for whatever reason, using a hose to begin cooling them down will work too. If you are unsure of how to proceed, call us immediately for assistance.

OTHER RISKS

If your dog succumbs to heat exhaustion, they are at risk for heat stroke, which can be deadly. Severe heatstroke occurs when your dog’s body temperature rises above 106 degrees fahrenheit. Heat stroke can send your dog into shock, put them into a coma, or kill them.
As you can see, the summer heat can be a major hazard to your dog’s health. After beginning to cool your dog down using the steps above, give us a call. Our mobile vet in Los Angeles can come to you to make sure that your dog is recovering properly, and can check for any complications that may have arisen. Contact us today for all of your veterinary needs.

4 REASONS TO MICROCHIP YOUR PET, PART TWO

In our last blog, we looked at two reasons why microchipping your pet is important. Here, we look at two more.

IT CAN HELP YOUR DOG GET HOME SAFELY

This is obviously the biggest benefit to getting your pet microchipped. A pet with a microchip is far more likely to be returned to its owner if it is lost. Most shelters and animal control centers have microchip scanners nowadays. With your pet’s identification information safely embedded under their skin, it is much likelier that they will be safely back home in short order. As an added layer of security, consider adding a second tag to your dog’s collar with the microchip company’s information on it. This is an easy way to let everyone know that your pet has a microchip embedded.

IT IS PROOF OF OWNERSHIP

The information you register on your pet’s microchip is the ultimate proof of ownership in the case of any dispute. There are several reasons why an ownership dispute may occur, and microchip information helps to protect your case. Many times these disputes boil down to your word against someone else’s, but with a microchip, you have something better than that. Don’t take any chances when it comes to proving your ownership of your pet; get them microchipped at your earliest convenience.

As you can see, microchipping your pet is full of benefits, with no downsides. Call us today for recommendations on microchip providers. Contact us immediately if your pet is in need of mobile vet services in Los Angeles.

4 REASONS TO MICROCHIP YOUR PET, PART ONE

Getting your pet microchipped is something that every pet owner should consider. Over the course of the next two blogs, we will look at four reasons why microchipping your pets is important.

IT IS MORE RELIABLE THAN A COLLAR TAG

A collar tag is something that all pets should have. It should include at least two contact phone numbers, your pet’s name, and the city you live in. But even with all of the right info, an ID tag is useless if it somehow gets separated from your pet. This is where the microchip advantage lies. While there are a hundred different ways that an ID tag might be ripped off of a collar, and another hundred ways that a collar might get separated from your dog, there is no scenario where you dog will become separated from their microchip. It is far and away the most secure method for ensuring that your dog has identifying information with them at all times.

IT IS INEXPENSIVE

Many people are scared away from microchipping their pet because they believe that the procedure is too expensive. The good news is that microchipping is actually extremely affordable. It is also something that you only have to do once. Regardless of cost, when compared to the prospect of losing your furry friend, it is a small price to pay.

If you are interested in microchipping your pet, give us call today for recommendations. If your pet is in need of emergency care, call our mobile vet in Los Angeles for immediate service. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we look at two more advantages to microchipping your pet.

5 MYTHS ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING YOUR PET

 

Spaying or neutering your pet saves lives. Pet overpopulation is a serious problem, not only in Los Angeles, but around the world. Nearly half of the pets that end up in shelters due to overpopulation are euthanized. Many people are hesitant to get their pets fixed because of the vast amount of misinformation that is out there. In this blog, we will be looking at some common myths surrounding these procedures in an attempt to clear up some of the confusion that exists.

MYTH: ALLOW YOUR FEMALE PET TO HAVE ONE LITTER BEFORE SPAYING THEM.

Fact: Spaying your female pet before their first heat is actually much better for them. Give us a call today and we can give you a recommendation on just how early you can spay your particular pet.

MYTH: SPAYING OR NEUTERING MY PET WILL MAKE THEM FAT AND LAZY.memorial-tuckergrey-220x220

Fact: The only things that will make your pet fat or lazy is overfeeding them and not getting them enough exercise.

MYTH: MY PET WILL EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES.

Fact: On the contrary, fixing your pet will help to stop negative behaviors, such as marking territory.

MYTH: THESE PROCEDURES WILL CAUSE MY PET UNNECESSARY PAIN.

Fact: Your pet will be medicated and under anesthesia during the operation, and will be prescribed pain medication to mitigate pain during the fast recovery time.

MYTH: I CAN FIND GOOD HOMES FOR THE WHOLE LITTER.

Fact: Even if you can find homes for your pet’s litter, you are opening the door to the possibility that those animals may end up reproducing. If you have family or friends who are looking for a new pet, point them in the direction of a pet shelter.

As you can see, many of the reasons that people have for not wanting to spay or neuter their pets are completely unfounded. Be a responsible pet owner, and have your pets spayed or neutered. Call us today to learn more about our mobile vet service in Los Angeles.

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR PETS

 

Spring is here, and that means that many people will begin their spring cleaning routine. This is a great annual tradition that can lend to the fresh-start feeling that comes with spring. Cleaning your home, getting reorganized, donating unused items, and undertaking more home improvement projects are all great springtime activities. However, it is very important to remember your four-legged friends when you are getting ready for these projects! Here is the first thing to keep in mind:

KEEP CHEMICALS SAFELY STORED

 

SPRING CLEANING CAN MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL LIKE NEW AGAIN. BUT BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE MOST OF THE CHEMICALS WE USE TO CLEAN OUR HOMES ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OUR PETS. MANY PETS ARE NATURALLY CURIOUS, AND WILL TRY TO GET INTO ANYTHING THAT IS SITTING AROUND UNATTENDED. EVEN IF YOUR PETS ARE VERY WELL TRAINED, THEY MAY BE ATTRACTED TO THE SCENTS OF THE CLEANING CHEMICALS. YOUR BEST BET IS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALWAY SAFELY STORED WHEN YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY USING THEM. ANOTHER GREAT OPTION WOULD BE TO KENNEL YOUR PETS, EITHER IN A PET KENNEL, OR EVEN JUST A ROOM YOU AREN’T CURRENTLY WORKING IN, WHILE YOU ARE DOING YOUR KENNEL. IF YOUR PET CONSUMES ANY OF THESE PRODUCTS, OUR MOBILE VET IN LOS ANGELES CAN HELP PROVIDE THE QUICK CARE THEY NEED TO AVOID DISASTER.

 

AS YOU CAN SEE, SPRING CAN BE A SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS TIME FOR YOUR PETS. NEXT TIME, WE WILL LOOK AT TWO MORE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND. CHECK BACK SOON!

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR PETS, PART TWO

 

Spring cleaning is a great way to get your house in order for the year. In our last blog, we looked at one of the major hazards that spring cleaning can pose to your pet: cleaning chemicals. These chemicals are a life-saver when it comes to cutting down on dirt, grime, and grease, but they can be a life-destroyer if your pet gets into them. Here, we will look at two more things to keep in mind while you are spring cleaning to ensure that your pet stays safe:

BE AWARE OF PET ALLERGIES

Just like humans, pets can get allergies. Spring cleaning can kick up a lot of dust that has settled over the fall and winter. You may not even realize just how much dust is in your home, until you start spring cleaning and it is stirred back into the air. Many people suffer from dust allergies, and some pets do as well. Pollen is another allergen that can lay dormant in your home. Keep a close eye on your pet, and contact a vet as soon as possible if you think they might have allergies.

MICROCHIP YOUR PET

A big part of spring cleaning is getting rid of items you no longer use. Whether you are taking them to the dump, donating them, or selling them at a garage sale, chances are good that it will involve a lot of in and out activity through your front door. This is a prime time for your pet to escape, unfortunately. If you haven’t already, you should get your pet microchipped. This can be a huge help if your pet does go missing. Our advice: keep your pet locked up while you are moving items in and out of the house.

If your pet suffers from any type of accident during spring cleaning, our mobile vet in Los Angeles can help. Call today!

SIGNS YOUR DOG NEEDS TO SEE THE VET, PART TWO

Knowing when to call the vet is an important skill that every pet owner should master. Last time, we talked about three reasons you should call for the help of a vet. In this blog, we look at three more reasons:

Coughing
Coughing can be because of something simple, such as an irritation in their throat. But it can also mean that they have an infection caused by debris lodged in their throat. Kennel cough is also a common cause of coughing in dogs. Worst case scenario, coughing could be a sign of heartworm infection or heart disease. If your dog’s cough lasts longer than a few days, it is time to seek the consult of a vet.

Consumption of hazardous items
In a previous blog series, we went over a list of foods that your dog should not eat. Beyond food, there are several other household items that can cause a dog to become ill, such as medications, antifreeze, insecticides, cleaning products, and much more. Since toxicity can set in surprisingly fast, immediate action should be taken if your dog consumes any hazardous material.

Bloody stool
If you notice blood in your dog’s stool, it can be a symptom of a serious condition. Some common conditions that have bloody stool as a symptom include infection, parasites, roundworms, and in severe cases, cancer. Don’t wait to see if it gets better; get in touch with your vet as soon as possible.

When your pet is sick, every moment counts. Call our mobile vet in Los Angeles for in-home veterinary service today!

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