pet tales summer 2016

7/25/2019 Pet Tales Summer 2016

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MESSENGERPOSTMEDIA

PetTalesSUMMER EDITION Advertising supplement for June 23, 2016


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2 PET TALES SUMMER EDITION 2016

Jocelyn Wichtel, DVMVeterinary Specialists& Emergency Services

Monroe Veterinary Associates

A veterinary emergency hospital provides 24-hour emergency services and care to critically-illpatients. This means that a highly-trained teamof board-certified specialists, emergencyveterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians,trained animal care assistants and dedicatedclient service representatives, are available whenyour pet is experiencing an emergency, night orday. A visit to an emergency veterinary hospitalis hopefully something most pet owners neverexperience. But emergencies can happen at anytime and at any place. Its important to know whatdifferentiates a visit to an emergency hospital froma visit to your veterinarian, as well as understandhow an emergency hospital operates.

Should I schedule an appointment?Emergency hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are preparedfor truly urgent situations that need immediate care from the moment theywalk through the doors. As most of these situations are unpredictable, makingan appointment ahead of time is not expected or required. However, it is helpfulto call ahead so the hospital staff can be optimally prepared when you arrive.

Why is the wait so long?

Similar to a human emergency room, wait times vary depending on the severityof a patients illness. Each animal is triaged, or prioritized, based on their needfor immediate medical treatment on arrival by a trained veterinary professional.Each pet is assigned a color (green, blue or red) based on how life-threateningtheir condition is. A red patient (an unstable dog who has been hit by a car) is apriority and will be seen immediately upon arrival. While the red patient is being

assessed, more stable blue and green patients (an unregulated diabetic or an earinfection) will often need to wait a bit longer for medical attention. It can befrustrating to visit the hospital and have to wait several hours to see a doctor,but triaging patients is the method all emergency hospitals use to ensure thatthe most critical patients are given timely life-saving care.

What is considered a medical emergency?

It can be hard to judge whether or not your pet is having a medical emergency.Some conditions are not emergencies and can wait to be se en by your veterinarianduring regular business hours. These conditions include ear infections, nail trims,deworming, vaccinations, fly bites, minor rashes, minor cuts and bruises. Theemergency facility will be happy to see your pet regardless of the condition, butlonger wait times should be expected for non-urgent cases.

An emergency facility will focus on your pets most life-threatening condition. Forexample, if your pet is bleeding from a large wound, the goal of the emergency

facility is to stabilize the patient, control the bleeding and repair the wound. Afteryour pet is stable enough to be released, your pet will return to the care ofyour veterinarian for further treatment and monitoring. Emergency hospitalsgenerally do not deal with routine vaccinations or stable long-term conditionsthat are being monitored by your pets veterinarian. The records from your visitwill be forwarded to your veterinarian so they can seamlessly take over casemanagement. Here are some examples of true emergencies:

Severe bleeding, or bleeding tha t doesnt stop within five minutes

Choking, difficulty breathing, or nonstop coughing and gagging

Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine

Preparing for a visit to a

VETERINARY EMERGENCY HOSPITAL Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool), or obvious painassociated with urinating or passing stool

Injuries to your pets eye(s)

You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous(such as antifreeze, Xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)

Seizures and/or staggering

Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)

Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety

Heat stress or heatstroke

Severe vomiting or diarrhea more than two episodes in a24-hour period, or either of these combined with obvious illnessor any of the other problems listed here

Refusal to eat or drink for 24 hours or more

Unconsciousness

Why do they whisk my pet away from me?If your pet is experiencing an emergency, he or she needs to be stabilized as quicklyas possible. Taking your pet into the treatment room where all the equipment islocated is the quickest, most efficient way of ensuring your pet gets the medicalattention he or she needs.

The staff at an emergency hospital is trained specifically to hold and restrainanimals so that procedures can be performed quickly and easily with less stressto your animal. Having trained animal care assistants also makes it safer for theveterinarian to examine the patient. Interestingly, many animals behave better andare less anxious when they are not in the presence of their owners.

Why does a trip to an emergency hospital cost morethan a trip to my veterinarians office?

When your pet is injured, or suddenly develops an acute, life-threatening disease,he or she will need immediate emergency care. In addition to the initial emergencytreatment, many days of intensive care may be needed for recovery.

Emergency veterinary facilities are comprised of highly-trained individuals whospecialize in serving animals and the people who love them, as well as supportingthe local veterinary community at any time of the day or night. Even though itcan be an emotional visit and costs can be high, your pet is receiving the higheststandard of care and your local emergency veterinary hospital is there for you whenyou need them the most.

Even though the staff at an emergency hospital typically sees a patient only once,close relationships are maintained with all local veterinarians as continuity of careand your pets long-term interests are very important.

Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services (VSES) is the only 24-hour emergencycare and specialty hospital in the greater Rochester area. Emergency veterinarians,

board-certified veterinary specialists and dedicated animal care support staffprovide 24-hour urgent veterinary care when your pets are in crisis. VSES is theperfect complement to your primary care veterinarian for those times when moreadvanced intervention is needed or immediate intensive medical attention isrequired.

Dr. Jocelyn Wichtel is a veterinarian at Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services.She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Atlantic Veterinary Collegein 2015. While there, she received the Dr. Lawrence E. Heider Leadership Award andthe Roy and Margaret Crosby Memorial Award. Her professional interests includeneurology, rehabilitation and emergency medicine.


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PET TALES SUMMER EDITION 2016 3

Americas birthday is just around the corner. As you celebrate thelong weekend, and throughout the summer, with barbecues,parades and fireworks, be sure to take a few precautionarymeasures to ensure a safe and happy holiday for you and your pets:

Beat the heat!Remember, if youre overheated, your dog isdefinitely overheated too. Try to save strenuous outdoor activitiesfor the cooler time of day and carry water with you for your dog.If he or she starts to display signs of heat stress excessivepanting, weakness, dark coloration of the gums immediatelywet your dogs coat, place him in a cool a rea with a fan blowing onhim, apply ice to the foot pads and call your veterinarian.

Be cool near the pool. Dont leave pets unsupervisedaround a pool or lake not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also,pools arent large water bowls they contain chlorine and othertoxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.

Keep your pet on the wagon.Since alcohol is poisonous

to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws way.Avoid scraps from the grill.Stick with your pets normaldiet any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset.Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisinsare especially toxic to pets. And be sure to clean up everythingafter grilling! Dogs will eat anything that has grease or drippingson it (charcoal, napkins, foil and plastic!)

Beware of bugs! Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are in fullswing during the summer, and spending a lot of time outdoorsfor the holiday can put your pet at risk. Flea bites result in itchingand all of your dogs scratching can result in skin ulcerations andsecondary infections. Ticks are carriers of Lyme disease, RockyMountain spotted fever and other infectious diseases. Mosquitoescan transmit heartworm disease if your pet is not on a monthly

preventative. The best treatment is prevention, and there areplenty of great products available! Ask your veterinarian whatproduct will work best for your pets lifestyle.

Skip the SPF! Avoid lathering your pet with any insectrepellent or sunscreen not intended for those with four legs.Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessivethirst and lethargy. Ask your veterinarian what brands are best tokeep your pet safe from the sun and insects.

Travel like a pro! If youre travelling with your pet for theholiday or at any point throughout the warm season NEVER leave him or her in the car, even if the windows are open. Ifyou must stop in your travels, either have someone stay with yourpet inside the car with the air conditioning on, have someone staywith your dog outside, or make the smart decision and leave yourpet at home. If you do travel with your pet, be sure to have themmicrochipped before you leave! This will give you the greatestchance for reconciliation should you and your furry friend becomeseparated during your adventures!

Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks,matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten canirritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system. If your pethas any noise phobias or anxieties, contact your veterinarian formedications to help them get through the noisy celebrations withminimal stress!

Tips for a PETRIOTIC CELEBRATION

Linda Banks, DVMStone Ridge

Veterinary HospitalMonroe Veterinary Associates

Leash the beast! There are more bites, dog fights, and petsgetting hit by cars during the summer. To avoid accidental injury toyou and your furry friend, keep him or her under close supervision

at all times when enjoying the outdoors, especially when you aredistracted or not focused on them.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested somethingpoisonous, please contact your veterinarian or Veterinary Specialists& Emergency Ser vices at 585-424-1277. Also, be mindful that morepets get lost on the Fourth of July than any other holiday. With allof the outdoor activities and loud noises, your pet may becomefrightened and run away. If you know your pet is afraid of fireworks,keep him or her inside with a treat that takes time to consume, likea pig ear or a treat in a Kong toy, and leave gentle music playing tohelp cover the sound of the fireworks. You can also try exercisingyour pet earlier in the day to tire him or her out for the night.

In case the unthinkable h appens, be sure to have a current photo of your pet and outfit him or herwith an identification tag attached to the collar. For more information regarding locating a lost

pet, read Locating a Lost Pet on page 11.Dr. Linda Banks is the hospital director at Stone Ridge Veterinary Hospital. She has cared for pets atthe hospital since 1994 and enjoys working with the pets, clients and staff members that make upthe Stone Ridge Family. Dr. Banks attended Cornell University and received her Bachelors Degreein Animal Science in 1985. She continued her education at the University of Florida College ofVeterinary Medicine and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. She went on tocomplete an internship at the Animal Hospital of Pittsford and remained there as a staff veterinarianfor four years before moving to Stone Ridge.

When shes not busy with her many duties at the hospital, Dr. Banks enjoys spending time with herhusband, two sons and their furry children.


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Rochester Hope for Pets invites you to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to honor afamily member, pet, special occasion or significant event with a commemorative brick that will

be laid within the memorial garden located at the front north-east side of Veterinary Specialists& Emergency Services.

By purchasing a personalized brick (available in two sizes and engraved using state-of-the-artlaser technology) you can honor your loved one for a lifetime. You may also display your businessor organizations name as a way to show your support of Rochester Hope for Pets.

All proceeds from the Commemorative Brick Campaign and Memorial Garden go directlyinto helping Rochester Hope for Pets continue its mission to improve the quality of life forcompanion animals in the greater Rochester area. Trough the award process, they offer financialassistance toward veterinary care costs to pet owners during times of need. Trough DuncansFund, they provide continuing education courses, and upgraded equipment and technologyfor local veterinarians. Tey also partner with other local non-profits to improve the welfare ofanimals in our community.

Te gif that lasts a lietime

Email [email protected] call (585) 271-2733 x189to reserve your bricks today.


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Dealing with the loss of a pet, a beloved part of thefamily, can be very difficult. Grief comes in various formsand emotions, and is as individual as the person. Thereare several stages to the grieving process. First is denialand isolation, we may not want to believe our pet has aterminal illness or has passed away. The next step is oftenanger, your anger can be directed towards anyone involvedwith your pet, whether it is friends and family, or evenyour veterinarian. You may also fee l guilty about what youdid or did not do, for not recognizing the illness earlier,not being able to afford the care and treatment your petneeded, or for allowing your pet to be injured. You mayalso experience depression, we have a hard time speakingof our beloved pet without breaking down or we may havea difficult time getting on with our lives. The final stage isacceptance, knowing we have done what is best for ourpet. Getting through the grieving process is challenging,

the goal is to accept what has happened. They gave usmany happy memories and it is our job as their caretakerto make sure they are no longer suffering.

Whether your pet is young or old, losing a faithful friend isvery difficult. As a veterinarian, we can help you throughsuch a difficult decision and make it easier. Grief is anormal and natural healing response to loss. There is noright or wrong way to grieve. While grief is a personalexperience, you need not face your loss alone. Many formsof support are available, including pet-bereavementcounseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, localor online pet-bereavement groups, books, videos andarticles. In addition to these services, here are a fewsuggestions to help you cope:

Acknowledge your grief and give yourselfpermission to express it

Surround yourself with people who understandthat it was not just a pet, but an integral partof your family and life

Memorialize your pet in a meaningful way

Take time for yourself and identify wha tcoping mechanisms are most helpful to you

If children are involved, talk with them about loss,

THE LOSS of a PET its never easy

emotions and coping skills. The lossof a pet may be your childs firstexperience with death. Expressingyour own grief may reassure yourchild that sadness is okay and itmay help them work through thesefeelings of grief. There are alsoseveral books for children involvingthe loss of a pet. Reading with yourchildren can help ease the loss andopen doors for discussion.

Many times we feel guilty. Livingwith guilt can prevent us frommoving forward in our grievingprocess. At times we may feel wedid not do enough for our pet, thisis a normal response for everyone.As long as the decision was madefrom the deep love for your pet,know you did the best at that time.

Losing a pet is never easy andmoving through the grievingprocess takes time. Remember toallow yourself to experience theseemotions and work through thegrieving process at your own pace.Cherish all the wonderful memoriesyour pet provided throughout his orher life. May you come to accept theloss and celebrate your pet and allthe love they gave us!

Dr. Andrea Straka was awarded herVeterinariae Medicinae Doctorisin 1997 from the University ofPennsylvania. As a general smallanimal practitioner, she has aprofessional interest in behavior. Shejoined Irondequoit Animal Hospitalin 1997 and has been there eversince.

Andrea Straka, VMDIrondequoit Animal Hospital


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A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life,things wont be too bad. Robert Wagner

Dear Doc,

I have been the proud owner of Biscuit for thelast seven months. I cant wait for my familyto spend the summer making memories withhim at our lake house. Ive already purchaseda doggie life jacket and Im assuming thatsall I really have to do. I mean theres a reasonits called the doggie paddle, right?

Sincerely, Biscuits water-logged owner

Dear Biscuits water-logged owner,Many pet owners are surprised to learn that not all dogs can swim.While some take to water naturally, others dont. Small dogs,especially, may need some extra help from their owners to learnhow to swim and to safely enjoy their time in the water.

Even if your dog is a great swimmer and a day at the beach, l ake, river or pool is onthe agenda, here are a few safety basics you should know in order to safely enjoythe water with your pet:

Dont leave pets unsupervised a round a pool or body of water.

Introduce your pets to water gradually and make surepets wear flotation devices while on boats.

Rinse your dogs coat with clean water a fter spending timein the water. Chlorine, salt and algae left on the coatcan lead to skin irritation and infection.

Keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorineand other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Keep an eye out for snakes. Even if theyre not poisonous,snakes can deliver nasty bites if curious dogs get too close.

If youre visiting the beach, supervise your dog closely when venturing

into the water. Many dogs a rent preparedfor the motion of the waves.

Watch out for rip currents, which are most dangerousduring high surf conditions. A strong current can quicklycarry a swimming dog away from shore.

Learn about marine life native to the area youre visiting.Jellyfish, lionfish, stingrays and other animals on the shoreor in the water can be dangerous to both unwittingpeople and dogs.

If your dog has light-colored, short fur, she maysunburn easily. Areas with sparse fur, like the face and head,are most susceptible. Before spending the day at the lake,ask your dogs vet about dog-safe sunscreen you can use.

Provide frequent periods of rest for your pooch in the shade.While swimming is an excellent form of exercise for dogs,it is important to protect your dog from heat exhaustionand dehydration.

Keep these basic tips in mind and your pet can enjoy all the benefits of wateractivities while staying safe and happy!

Sincerely, Dr. Heidi Licata

Dr. Heidi Aguiar Licata is the director of East River Veterinary Hospital, where shehas been since August 2011. She joined the Monroe Veterinary Associates familyin December 2007. A native of Fall River, MA, Dr. Licata attended the University of

Massachusetts-Dartmouth and received her Bachelors Degree in Biology in 1999. Shecontinued her veterinary education at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicineand was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. Acupuncture andexotic animal medicine are just a few of Dr. Licatas many professional interests. Shecompleted the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society course in 2006 and is acertified veterinary acupuncturist.

Heidi Licata, DVMEast River Veterinary HospitalMonroe Veterinary Associates

Ask a Vet...


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Put a spring into your PETS STEP

A pedicure isnt just a summeressential for people preparingtheir feet for sandals, flip-flopsor just going barefoot on thebeach. Your dogs paws alsoneed extra care during the dogdays of summer. Below aresome great tips to help keepyour dogs paws from barking:

Is it time for a snipand trim?

Your dogs nails should justabout touch the ground whenhe/she walks. If you hear yourdogs nails clicking on thefloor, its time to cut the nails.To avoid matting, which canbe painful, comb out paw hair,especially from between thetoes and trim even with thepads.

Take a peek atthe paws

Regularly check betweentoes for pebbles, small bitsof broken glass and other debris. These items can becomestuck in your dogs pads or your dog could cut their paws fromaccidentally stepping on these items. Contact your veterinarianfor information about caring for wounds on your dogs paws.And be sure to keep your dog from licking any cuts because it

keeps the wound open.Moisturize those paws

A dogs pads can become cracked and dry during the summer.Ask your veterinarian for a pad moisturizer that is sa fe for use ondogs and use as directed.

Pamper your pooch

Relax your dog with a paw rub. Start by rubbing between thepads on the bottom of the paw, and then rub between each toe.

Your dog will be forever grateful forthe extra TLC!

Slow and steadywins the race

Start slow if youre about to begin anew exercise program with your dog.Paws may become sensitive, chaffedor cracked, particularly when startingyour dog out on hikes and runs.

Beware of hot pavement

Remember your dogs paws feel heatextremes, just like you. If you wouldntwalk barefoot on hot pavement, yourpet shouldnt either. To prevent burnsand blisters, avoid walking your dog onhot pavement or sand. Signs include

blisters, loose flaps of skin and red,ulcerated patches. If you suspect youdog has burns or blisters on its paws,please contact your veterinarian.

Watch where yourpooch walks

Be conscious to avoid hazards such asbroken glass and other debris when

walking your dog. Check your yard and home for any items thatcould injure your dog. And keep this simple tip in mind if youwouldnt like to walk on it barefoot, neither will your dog!

Dr. Janine Ashton has cared for pets as a general practitioner atthe Animal Hospital of Pittsford since 2008. She was awarded her

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 from Ross University. Dr.Ashton also holds a Masters Degree in Toxicology.

When shes not busy with her duties at the hospital, Dr. Ashtonenjoys spending time outdoors and can often be found skiing andfishing. Her hobbies also include cooking and baking. Most of all,she enjoys spending time with her husband Ken Scheider, DVM,director at Perinton Veterinary Hospital and their two sons. Theyshare their home with three dogs, Jasper, Lafonda and Tiki, andtwo cats, Jeter and Jaks.

Janine Ashton, DVMPittsford Animal Hospital


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8/16


If your pets breath smells sour, your sweet pooch orkitty-cat may be experiencing poor dental health, aserious issue thats much more troublesome than badbreath.

Periodontal disease is extremely common with dogsand cats, most of whom have evidence of a tooth,mouth or gum issue by the age of 3, according to theAmerican Veterinary Dental College. Signs of poordental health include bad breath, a change in eating

or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth,and depression.

Periodontal disease is the No. 1 health issuein dogs and cats, said veterinarian Amy Stone,service chief of the Primary Care and DentistryService at the University of Florida College ofVeterinary Medicine Small Animal Hospital.

Periodontal disease, commonly called gumdisease, is the most common oral disease in dogsand cats. Most experts agree that two-thirds tothree-fourths of all adult dogs and cats have somelevel of periodontal disease, said Curt R. Coffman,chairman of the American Veterinary Dental CollegePublic Relations Committee. If untreated, it canprogress causing pain, infection and tooth loss.Dogs and cats also suffer from broken or wornteeth, and cats commonly have a condition calledtooth resorption.

Care tips

Because its the way pets interact with their entireworld, dental health is essential.

Dental health is very important, and a comfortable,healthy mouth is vital to a pet being able to chew and eata proper diet, Coffman said. Dental infection can also lead

the whole

Dental health is veryimportant, and a comfortable,

healthy mouth is vital to apet being able to chewand eat a proper diet.

Curt R. Coffman

Katherine Johnson | Flicker

Dental health topissue for cats, dogs

BY MELISSA ERICKSONMORE CONTENT NOW

to infection elsewhere in the body.

Most pets simply do not receive proper, regular

mouth care.

They also tend to break their teeth and injure thesoft tissues of their mouth catching balls and playing,

said Stone, who is also working on an alternate trackresidency in veterinary dentistry.

Owners should learn to brush their pets teeth withtoothpaste and monitor their pets mouths, teethand gums for any pain or bleeding, Stone said.Flavored toothpastes formulated for animals areavailable to make the job easier.

Although daily toothbrushing is advised for dogs andcats, only two percent of dog owners follow through.

In addition, 65 percent of dogs with stage one

periodontal disease often go untreated.When to see the vet

If teeth appear dirty, stained or discolored, andthe gums are red or inflamed, pets should see thevet, Coffman said.

Your pets dental health shou ld be evaluated ateach physical exam, Stone said. Your veterinariancan make recommendations as to how often yourdog or cat may need to have treatment for any

disease present.

Chews and treats can help with oral hygiene, butmany of these products have little research to back

the manufacturers claims of improved oral hygiene,Coffman said.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (vhoc.org)offers unbiased reviews of some oral heath careproducts, he said.

Products approved by this organization are going tobe safe (nontoxic and not likely to break their teeth)

and the most effective ones on the market, Stone said.

The most important thing that people should know isthat they should be asking their veterinarians abouttheir pets teeth.


9/16


If you are a pet owner, July 15th is a good day to review yourhousehold fire safety and emergency plans for the entirehousehold including your pets.

One of the most fundamental elements of fire safety is to haveworking smoke detectors throughout your residence. Smokedetectors can quickly alert occupants to a fire so that they canescape. That said, pets are frequently home alone and unableto escape a house fire on their own. Consider using a monitoring

company so that firefighters are alerted more quickly, therebyincreasing the likelihood that pets can be rescued from the fire.

Practicing Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH), can help familiesidentify emergency escape routes when there is a fire. Whendoing these drills identify places in the home near exits whereleashes and cat carriers could be stored for easy access. Decide on aholding area outside of the home such as a car where animals could temporarilybe safely confined. Be sure all pets are properly identified with collars and tagsor microchips so that they can be reunited with their owners if they escapeduring the commotion of a fire. Have a plan for a place the pets can stay if youare unable to return home right away. This preparation and training can increasethe chances that you and your pets will get out safely should there be a fire.

Never re-enter a burning building to save your pets. Please leave this toprofessional firefighters. The use of pet alert window stickers can help rescuers

know how many and what kind of pets need to be rescued. It is important tokeep these updated so that this information is as accurate as possible. Freestickers are available from the ASPCA at ww w.ASPCA.org.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that 500,000 animals areaffected by fires and about 1,000 fires are started by pets each year. Here aresome ways you can reduce the chance that your pet will inadvertently start afire or be burned:

Use caution with candlesbecause pets, especially cats, can easily knock overa candle and start a fire. Pets can also be burned by candles. Always extinguish acandle that will be unattended. Consider using flameless candles, that use a light

bulb instead of a real flame, or candle warmers instead.

Supervise pets around other open flames such as fireplaces, firepits and barbecue grills. Curious pets can easily get burned whenthey come too close to any open flame. It is best to restrict a petsaccess to these areas.

Keep electrical cords out of reach of pets who may chewthem. Puppies and kittens are notorious for getting into troublewith this. Chewing electrical cords can cause serious electrocution

injuries and potentially start a fire. Access to electrical cordsshould be restricted, especially when pets are unsupervised.Crating puppies is highly recommended to eliminate this andother hazards.

Cover stove knobsif you have a dog who tends to be a countersurfer. There have been a number of house fires started when a

pet inadvertently turns on the stove while jumping up to steal food off the stovetop. Reduce the temptation. Do not leave food on top of the stove and considerrestricting your dogs access to the kitchen or crate your curious pup when youare not home.

With a little preparation you can successfully reduce the chances that your petwill accidentally start a fire or be injured by fire. This July 15th take some time toreview your households fire safety and prevention plans and be sure to includeyour pets.

Dr. Carolyn Fisher is the hospital director of Suburban Animal Hospital, where shehas cared for pets since 1997. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine andparticularly likes observing and experiencing the special bonds people and theirpets share.

A native of Rochester, Dr. Fisher attended the SUNY Geneseo. She received herBachelors Degree in Biology in 1993 and went on to attend the Cornell UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Fisher is a member of numerous professionalorganizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the GeneseeValley Veterinary Medical Association and the Cornell Feline Health Center.

YOUR PETS and FIRE SAFETYJuly 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day

Carolyn Fisher, DVMSuburban Animal Hospital



10/16


hair of the dogthat smelled bad

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Are you free for coffee tomorrow? I asked a friend over the phone.

No, sorry, she replied. I have to take Tyra for a wash, cut and blowout.

If I hadnt known this person very well, I would have assumed she was talkingabout her daughter or mother.

But she was not.

She was talking about her dog.

I had forgotten that Tyra had a standing appointment at the poodle parlorevery four weeks to get groomed. She had her own stylist who understood allthe nuances of Tyras coat, which, I was informed, was made of hair, not fur,and therefore required a specialized level of dog beautification. I found thisexceptionally amusing since I dont even have a standing appointment at thesalon for myself, much less my dog.

Typically, I dont even realize my dog needs to be groomed until he starts to smell

so bad we wonder if there is something rotting in the fridge, and even then,Ill just spray him with air freshener for a couple of days until we cant stand itanymore.

My thought is, if wolves dont take bubble baths in the wild, why should my dog?

Of course, this philosophy only lasts as long as it takes for the smell of my dogto get so strong it starts to cause the paint to peel from the walls. And while thisisnt a problem for the dog, it is for me, our family and our walls. My dog definitelyprefers smelling like garbage than lavender. Pretty much the minute he comeshome from the groomers, he will dash outside to find the nastiest pile of muck toroll in to obliterate the smell of per fumed pooch. And if by luck he happens to find

something dead outside to rub against, he will be in stinky dog heaven.

Tyra, the well-primped poodle, is apparently no different. Although she puts upwith her once monthly grooming, as soon as she gets home she will do her bestto undo the work of her style team and return herself to a more natural doggiestate. While she may play the part of a pampered pooch, at heart she is a dog ofthe earth, and routinely has the earth in her coat to prove it.

Meanwhile, back at Smelly Dog Central, my dog Monty was clearly beginningto ripen and I realized the time had come to de-stinkify him before the board ofhealth condemned his dog bed, and quite possibly, our house.

Since Tyras owner seemed so happy with the level of ser vice she was getting fromher doggie salon, I decided to try them out and let them work their magic onMonty.

However, as soon as we arrived, I realized that the place might not be a good fitfor my dog.

Would you like a rose, eucalyptus, or lemon-scented spa bath for Monty? theyinquired as I signed Monty in.

I glanced down at my dog. He had his head between his legs and was busy givinghimself a bath where the sun dont shine.

I rolled my eyes.

Actually, I wondered. Do you have anything that smells like dirt?

For more Lost in Suburbia, Follow Tracy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LostinSuburbiaFanPage.


11/16


Pooch haveyou puzzled?

Cat haveyou curious?

Email your questions [email protected]!

Want answers to your questions?

You may have already read that more pets get lost on the Fourth of July than anyother holiday, but did you know that The Humane Society of the United States(HSUS) estimates 6-8 million animals enter shelters each year? Only 30 percentof dogs and less than 5 percent of cats that enter shelters are reunited with theirowners.

Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets (GRASP) recommends following these stepsto help increase the chance that you and your pet will be reunited if the unthink-able ever happens and your pet becomes lost:

Contact animal agencies.

Call all humane societies, animal care and control agencies and animal protectionorganizations within a large radius to file a report. Dont assume your pet hasbeen stolen. More cats and dogs stray from home than are stolen.

Search the neighborhood.

Walk and/or drive through your neighborhood several times a day. Early morningand sunset are prime times. Talk to anyone whom may have s een your cat or dog,such as joggers, delivery people and mail/newspaper carriers.

Notify others.

Call your veterinary clinics, especially those who offer boarding for cats and dogs.Injured pets are often taken to a veterinarian for ca re prior to transfer to an animalshelter.

Use the power of scent.

Place a recently-worn article of clothing in your yard; for litter box trained catsplace their box outside. Familiar scents can bring your cat or dog home.

Advertise.

Post fliers all around your neighborhood, including major intersections and at all

public places. Place an ad in the classified section of your local paper (see refer-ence to D&C below). O ffer a reward. Contact WVIN 98.3 to list with their Pet Patrol.

Dont give up!

Keep searching even when you have little hope l eft. Cats and dogs that have beenlost for months have been reunited with their owners.

A peteven an indoor pethas a better chance of being returned if he/shealways wears a collar and an ID tag with your name, address and telephone num-ber. Ask your veterinarian about a microchip for your pet. Microchips are a safe,simple way to help avoid the tragedy of losing your beloved furry family member.

TIPS for LOCATING a LOST PETSteps to take to help increase the chance

of being reunited with your lost pet


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13/16

JOSIAH was adopted

by Shane in 2016


Portraits Loveof

Each week, Lollypop Farm receives letters and emails filled with

happy endings for animals w ho have been adopted from our shelter.

Pictures help to tell these wonderful stories.

DIESEL was adopted

by Adam in 2014

TESSA was

adopted by

Deanna in 2016.

Tessa

The hugely illuminating story of how a popularbreed of dog became the most demonizedand supposedly the most dangerous ofdogs, and what role humans have played inthe transformation. When Bronwen Dickeybrought her new dog home, she saw no tracesof the infamous viciousness in her affectionate,timid pit bull. Which made her wonder: Howhad the breed beloved by Teddy Roosevelt,Helen Keller and others, come to be knownas a brutal fighter? Whether through love orfear, hatred or devotion, humans are boundto the history of the pit bull. With unfailingthoughtfulness, compassion and scientificfact, Dickey offers us a clear-eyed portrait ofthis extraordinary breed and an insightfulview of Americans relationship with theirdogs. Priced from $16.55 on amazon.com.

Pit Bull:The Battle over

an American Iconby Bronwen Dickey


14/16


Each spring and summer, hundreds of thousands of kittens will be born acrossthe U.S. And while the image may make you think of adorable little balls of fluffrunning around in the sunshine, for people working in animal welfare its all butcute. In fact, this can be one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.Each year, animal shelters like Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of GreaterRochester, will be challenged to handle the influx of newborn, homeless kittens.And with this many cats born each year, they will be hard pressed to find newhomes for all of them. Only with the support of the entire community, can westart to alleviate some of the problems created by the time of year affectionatelyknown as kitten season.

What is kitten season?

Kitten season typically starts in early spring and peaking in the summer and goesright through to fall. Its a time of year when cats star t to produce their kittens in abundance. This includes unfixed free-roaming pets, friendly strays or feral catscalled community cats of which only 2% are spayed or neutered. Accordingto the Humane Society of the United States, there are roughly 30 to 40 millioncommunity cats in the U.S. So, considering that just one female cat can have up to12 kittens each year, the kittens start adding up rather quickly. In fact, 80% of thekittens born each year are from the community cat population. With nowhere togo, the majority of these kittens will make their way to shelters and rescue groups.

So, whats the problem?

These droves of kittens create a number of problems. Motherless, ne wborn kittensrequire a great deal of time and ex tensive care. Many kittens brought to the shelterwithout their mothers are just days to weeks old. They havent been weaned yet

and arent able to eat solid food, says animal outreach manager Jennifer Stolt ofLollypop Farm. They require foster care from de dicated volunteers willing to takethem in for regular bottle feeding. On average these kittens require feeding ever yfew hours, and on top of that need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom andcleaned. Kittens this young arent able to regulate their temperature and needheating pads to ensure they dont get too cold or hot. As they get older, there is alot of care to ensure they a re healthy, gaining weight and litter trained. LollypopFarm is fortunate to have a growing network of 200 foster care volunteers, andeven then we are often challenged to find someone who can take on the hugeresponsibility of care each time a litter of kittens comes in, says Stolt.

At about eight weeks old, kittens are able to eat solid food and have a goodtransition into their new home. At this point, the veterinary clinic can spay orneuter the cats in an effort to head off the continuing problem and then theycan be made available for adoption. Unfortunately, mother cats and other oldercats are overlooked by adopters taken in by the cute kittens and there may be not

enough room in the shelter for all the incoming kittens. Weve seen as many as70 cats and kittens in one day alone, says Stolt. With this many cats, it can be ha rdfor shelters to care for and find homes for everyone.

How can you help?

No one person or organization can do it alone. It takes a community that is activelyengaged to help prevent and provide care during kitten season.

Spay or neuter your c ats.Cats can become pregnant at as young as five monthsof age. Fortunately, kittens as young as two months can be safely altered. If youcant afford the procedure, you can look into Lollypop Farms S.N.I.P. program that

offers assistance for low-income pet owners.

Help support local shelters during kitten season. It takes a lot of suppliesand other resources to help care for all the kittens. Donations of supplies andmoney are greatly appreciated to help support the staff and volunteers lookinghelp save these little lives.

Help care for community cat populations. You can become a colonycaretaker and through Lollypop Farms Feral Cat Program you can ensure they a regiven rabies and distemper vaccinations. Cats are altered, and also ear-tipped toindicate they have been surgically altered.

Become a foster volunteer.Volunteers help care for kittens coming in from thecommunity. By providing bottle feedings and compassionate care in their homeuntil the kittens are old enough to be adopted. These volunteers are helpingmore cats find homes. Lollypop Farm provides training and supplies for fostervolunteers.

Adopt a cat.Choosing to adopt not only means you will be providing a home foryour new feline friend, you are making space for another cat to find a safe havenin the shelter when its needed.

KITTENS:TOO MUCH OF A CUTE THING?ASHLEY ZEH | COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

LOLLYPOP FARM, HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER ROCHESTER


15/16


MESSENGER POSTMEDIA

PetTales73 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424

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We welcome our readers letters.

Please write to:Pet Tales c/o Darlyn Reddy

73 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424email: [email protected]

Correspondence may be editedfor length and clarity. Please include

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SPEAK!

Thank you to Pet Talesmajor sponsor!

Monroe Veterinary Associates was founded

in 1969 as a single hospital and has grown toinclude 14 full-service veterinary hospitals,a 24-hour emergency and specialty practice,and a full-service reference laboratory, all ofwhich are located in or around Rochester.

Monroe Veterinary Associates contributesactively to the community in a variety of ways.MVA provides financial support to RochesterHope for Pets, Rochester Animal Services, theSeneca Park Zoo and the Humane Society atLollypop Farm. MVA veterinarians and staffmembers volunteer countless hours towardhelping animals in the community. Forexample, veterinarians donate their time toFriends of Ferals, which works to help decreasethe feral cat population in the Rochester area.

Also, MVAs personnel are active in localeducational initiatives, including classroompresentations, student shadow programs andstudent externships.

Find out more about the many services thatMonroe Veterinary Associates offers or to finda location near you, visit monroevets.com. Youcan also follow us on Twitter @MonroeVets orlike us on Facebook.

Income-QualifiedSpay/NeuterSurgeries andOut-Patient ClinicROCHESTERCOMMUNITYANIMAL CLINIC985 Bay StreetRochester, NY 14609585.288.0600rochestercommunityanimalclinic.com

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BUSINESS DIRECTORYMonroe Veterinary Associates

We provide kind,compassionate care,

when you need it the most.

www.monroevets.com

All Monroe VeterinaryAssociates hospitalsare on Facebook.Find andlike us today!


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Offering the best care...

for your best friend.

pet tales summer 2016

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