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BEST DOG TRAVEL TIPS

911VetTouchIconBringing your dog on your holiday vacation with you just adds to the fun and alleviates the worry of not knowing what is happening with your dog while you are on the road. It is important to do your homework on dog travel. Planes and cars are not designed with dogs in mind and you need to know what to expect when you reach your final destination. By planning your dog travel ahead of time, you can make your vacation a truly relaxing time for you and your dog. Here are the best dog travel tips from your mobile vet in Los Angeles:

Crating Your Dog For Travel

It is natural to feel bad about crating your dog. After all, you most likely wouldn’t want to be crated but don’t project your feelings onto your dog. They actually don’t mind the crate and some even feel safer in one.

  • The most important thing you can do is make sure your dog has been well exercised before he/she goes in the crate. If they have burned off excess energy, they will be more inclined to rest.
  • Make sure there is nothing in the crate that can harm your dog. Leashes and loose collars are especially dangerous items that could present a strangling hazard.
  • Keep your energy positive. Don’t present the crate like it is a prison. Show the dog the crate and open the door. Don’t shove the dog in the crate. Let them go in on their own and only when they are comfortable should you close the door. Walk away with good energy and positive body language.
  • Come back in fifteen minutes. This will work to ease the dog’s separation anxiety next time you crate them but don’t take them out of the crate. Just open the door and let them come out when they are ready.

Driving With Your Dog

It’s usually a good idea to crate your dog when riding in the car. You’ll be less distracted while driving which is safer for both of you. It also prevents your dog from becoming a projectile if you have to stop fast, also reducing the chance of injury for both of you. To prevent motion sickness, don’t feed your dog a lot before the trip.

Taking Your Dog On An Airplane

The first thing you need to do is check with the airline for their rules regarding pet travel. Many require a health certificate and may have other rules you haven’t thought of. You don’t want to be surprised at the airport! Your dog will almost certainly be traveling in a crate and it will probably make everyone’s lives easier if you crate your dog before you enter the chaos of the airport. If your dog isn’t flying with you in the main cabin, do not have a big goodbye scene because it will only upset your dog.

Traveling with a dog can be a fun experience for both of you. Just remember to be prepared as possible wherever you go. Don’t forget to make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and above all, of course, be calm. A balanced dog makes the best travel companion.

 

KEEP YOUR PET SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

There are so many dangerous foods that can affect your pet’s health and well-being, and your mobile vet in Los Angeles wants to help keep them safe. Especially during the holiday seasons, there are many popular human foods that our pets may encounter, some of which can be dangerous for them, and it is extremely important to know the difference. Some popular foods that can harm or kill your pet include:

  • Alcohol
  • Avocado
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages
  • Garlic
  • Grapes
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Milk and other dairy products
  • Onions
  • Poultry bones
  • Raising
  • Xylitol found in sugar free candy

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During the holiday season, it’s important to talk with your house guests to make sure that no one gives your pet treats without your consent. This is the best way to ensure that your pet doesn’t eat anything without your knowledge. It is also important to keep an eye on fallen scraps that your pet could pick up and eat without warning. We recommend keeping your pet in a separate room during holiday parties to avoid this concern. Remember, if your pet does consume food that is dangerous for them, we are a phone call away and will come to you for convenience and peace of mind. You and your pet deserve to safely enjoy all the holidays have to offer and 911 Vets wants to make sure that happens. We also come to you for routine check ups, diagnostics, ultrasound, treatments, hospice care, as well as gentle home euthanasia and aftercare.

TOP 5 HOLIDAY DANGERS TO PETS

The holidays are a festive time for us and pets. However, due to ongoing activities and constant distractions, we can easily overlook potential dangers to our four-legged family members. Take preventative measures to protect your pets this holiday season. Being aware of these top five dangers could save a trip for your mobile vet in Los Angeles.

  • Holiday Tinsel and Ornaments – Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft. The problem with tinsel is that once it is consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.
  • Holiday Lighting and Candles – Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights such as icicle netting, garland, curtains, rope and candles may be another source of danger to your curious pets. Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet bites down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three prong extension cord as a safety precaution. If you have candles on display, place them in a hard to reach spot so that your pets cannot get to them.
  • Gift Wrap Ribbon – You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon collar but be aware that this could become a choking hazard. Also, quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won’t be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can be a choking hazard and twist throughout the intestines and could lead to death.
  • Food Hazards – Festive events often mean edible treats, and lots of them. Unfortunately, some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets
  • Different types of chocolate contain various levels of fat, caffeine and other substances. In general, the darker the chocolate and richer the chocolate, the higher the risk of toxicity.
  • Fat Trimmings and bones are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis.
  • Certain nuts should not be given to pets because they can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction.
  • Toxic Holiday Plants – They may be very pretty, but some holiday plants are poisonous,   even deadly. As little as a single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats.

 

Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. Happy Holiday from 911 vets! Have a wonderful time with friends and family.

KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE AT THE BEACH

Living in the beautiful state of California, we are lucky enough to have beaches to enjoy with friends, family, and our dogs. For most people, their dog is another member of the family so you need to make sure that they are prepared to avoid needing a mobile vet in Los Angeles. Here are five things you must know to keep your dog safe at the beach:

  1. Make sure your dog can swim. We assume that all dogs can swim when the truth is, they can’t. Not every dog knows how to swim instinctively and some breeds are unable to.
  2. Lifejackets are a dog’s best friend! Fatigue, heavy waves, riptides, and other dangers can cause your dog to go under. Dog life jackets come in sizes for all breeds. Make sure it has a handle on the dog’s back so you can easily remove them from the water.
  3. Drinking ocean water. Dogs generally know not to drink the water, but take extra care to make sure they don’t to avoid sickness.
  4. Sea creatures. The ocean is a beautiful thing full of amazing creatures. However, some of these creatures can be harmful to humans and dogs. Keep an eye out for jellyfish, coral, and sharp shells that can cut their feet.
  5. Pay close attention to their body signals. Dogs cannot tell when they are getting tired, and if they could stay in the water forever, they would. Give them plenty of rest breaks.

Most dogs love the water, especially on hot days, and spending time with their beloved owner is a great way to spend the day. Make sure your dog is safe so you will both have fun.

PREVENT A TRAGEDY: LEAVE YOUR PUP AT HOME

Now that the summer months have left us for another year, it is important to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to leave your dog in your car. It only takes minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to fall victim to heat stroke, requiring a visit from your mobile vet in Los Angeles. The worst case scenario is suffocation. Most people don’t realize how hot it can in a parked car on a balmy day. However, on a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees and hit around 160 degrees if parked in the sun! Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the “danger zone.” Not to mention if the window is rolled down too far, your dog could escape.

Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paws. If they have only hot air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage, and possibly die. Fifteen minutes is all it takes for an animal’s body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated, and at risk of permanent impairment. Although it may seem like a harmless outing for you and your pooch to enjoy time together, it could turn tragic in an instant. If you cannot take your pet everywhere you are going, it is best to leave them safely at home.

 

CATS & CAR RIDES

Most cat owners agree that taking kitty for a car ride isn’t much fun. Cats, unlike dogs, do not enjoy the experience. While it is impossible to say exactly why felines detest the car, some common characteristics of cats can help explain their fear of your vehicle. Luckily, our mobile vet in Los Angeles happily comes to you to take care of your beloved furry friend. Cats are creatures of habit. Their love for routine is part of their ancestry. Your cat’s hatred for car rides could just be an instinctual response to a change in its daily rituals. Cats, like people, get stressed in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Taking your cat off of their home turf might not seem like such a big deal to you, a human who goes anywhere and everywhere, but for a creature that spends a good amount of time maintaining its territorial boundaries, crossing into the outside world can be scary.

While some cats do genuinely suffer from motion sickness, others who vomit or become incontinent when riding in a car might simply be nervous. Experts agree that keeping calm yourself can go a long way toward making your pet feel more relaxed in a stressful situation. You could also try to have someone else do the driving while you sit with your cat and talk to him or her. Distraction is key for alleviating a troubled pet’s fears. If you do not have another driver, there is no need to worry. Our mobile services ensure your pet gets the care they need in the comfortable setting of their own home. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

WHAT IS ANIMAL NEGLECT?

Animal neglect is the failure to provide basic care and mobile vet care in Los Angeles required for an animal to thrive. At first glance, such cases may seem less important than a single, brutal act of violent abuse, but severe neglect can mean extended periods of extreme suffering resulting in permanent injury or death. A single large-scale neglect case can affect hundreds of animals, as in cases of hoarding, puppy mills, and farm neglect.

Issues common to neglect cases

  • Animal neglect is often associated with human neglect involving a child, elder or other dependent.
  • Handling all of the animals involved in large scale neglect cases requires considerable effort and expense. All animal victims must be examined, treated, and cataloged as evidence and sheltered during the duration of a court case.

Most states’ criminal animal cruelty statutes define a minimum standard of care which requires that an animal caretaker provide water, food, shelter, and veterinary care. Animal abandonment may also be specifically addressed in some statutes. However, some animals such as farm animals, fish or wildlife may be excluded from anti-cruelty laws. Violations of state animal neglect are almost always misdemeanor violations. As a citizen in this world, it is important to always report animal neglect even if you are not sure if it is occurring. It is always best to have a situation checked out than risk an animal being mistreated on your watch. Also, you can make an anonymous report for your own safety and security. Remember, you are doing the right thing for the animal!

CANCER SCREENING, TREATMENT AND HOSPICE

As pets get older, the bond between them and their human caregivers grows stronger. In this millennium, cancer will touch one in every three people and over half of their senior pets. Organ failure will claim the lives of the other half of senior pets. It is time to rethink how the profession will help pet owners face the final days with a terminally ill best friend. Most pet owners have preconceived notions about cancer and its treatment. Obvious biases and ingrained feelings regarding cancer may cause a negative approach towards its treatment in geriatric pets. Mobile vet in Los Angeles and their professional staff can help with cancer screening and treatment that is right for you situation.

If the pet’s illness can’t be treated due to financial constraints or a logistical problem, it is still a matter of good professional service to compassionately provide advice and home care giving instructions. When a treated pet’s cancer has recurred, if it is resistant to further treatment or if the pet is in the terminal stages of cancer, in-home hospice care is a wonderful next step that keeps pet and caregiver comfortably close to their nest. A well conceptualized, creative, palliative pet hospice for pet owners may be the very best care that medicine can offer to support the people pet bond. Our veterinarians and staff can kindly and respectfully help sustain a quality life for the terminal pet during the last days of the people pet bond. We know the decision is devastating because no matter what the outcome is the same. Let us try to make it a little easier.

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