Holiday Dog-Friendly Treat Recipe

Here is a Holiday Dog-Friendly Treat Recipe that your canine companion is sure to enjoy! 
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 
4 eggs, well beaten 
1/8 cup bacon fat 
1 cup water 
1/2 cup non-fat dry milk powder 

2 cup graham flour
2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup cornmeal

Mix ingredients with a strong spoon; drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 oven for 15 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cookies on baking sheet in the oven overnight to dry out. Yield: about 4 dozen dog cookies.

Fall Football Gatherings & Pets

Do you like to go to football games or tailgate parties in the fall? If you’re planning on bringing your pet, it’s important to make sure that they’re safe. Picnic foods –such as greasy burgers, sugary desserts, ribs, chicken with bones, and shish-kabob sticks—can be extremely dangerous for your pet if they’re consumed! Also charcoal grills can be easily knocked over by excited or skittish pets, causing injuries. Remember to keep your pet safe and secure while you’re engaging in activities that could be dangerous for them.

Pets & Camping Safety

Camping with your pet can be a fun adventure, but also a dangerous one! It’s important to be fully prepared for bringing a pet with you into the woods BEFORE you go. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on all parasite prevention, and be sure to pack plenty of food and water. If you’re filtering your water, don’t forget your pet needs filtered water too! And most importantly, check campground rules where you’ll be staying, because some campgrounds don’t allow pets because of the danger of large wild animals, like bears! Make sure you keep your pets and family safe, and have a great trip!

Pet Friendly Treat Recipe

1

Combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1/4 cup shredded carrots or chopped apples. Chop 4 ounces cooked liver, and add it to the yogurt mixture. Spoon the yogurt treats into an ice cube tray, and freeze.

2

Mix a can of chicken or tuna with 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic and two containers of plain yogurt. Add some cooked vegetables, if desired. Stir the mixture together, and put it in some small paper cups.

3

Make some quick-and-easy frozen dog yummies. Mix a cube of beef or chicken bouillon with 1 cup of warm water. Add several pieces of finely chopped leftover beef or chicken, and freeze the yummies until they're solid.

4

Create a frosty doggy treat with a jar of chicken or beef baby food. Add the baby food with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix well, and spoon the mixture into small paper cups or ice cube trays. Double the recipe for large dogs.

5

Chop a cup of peanuts, and stir them into a mashed banana for a fruit and protein treat. Add 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter. Mix well and freeze.

DISASTER PLANNING TIPS

Whether it’s a large-scale natural catastrophe or an unforeseen emergency that causes you to leave your home temporarily, everyone’s family can benefit from having a household evacuation plan in place before disaster strikes.  Every disaster plan must include your pets!

1.        If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!  Pets most likely cannot survive in a disaster by themselves.  If they do survive, you may not be able to find them when you return.
2.        For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.  Find out, well in advance of needing them, which motels and hotels in your area allow pets.  Alternatively, arrange in advance for family or friends to house your pets in case of emergency.  Include Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital’s phone number (547-1600) and the Animal Control office number (382-8080) on your list of emergency numbers to call for information regarding pets during a disaster.
3.        Ask your veterinarian or a veterinary care team member about microchipping your pet. In the event of separation during a disaster, the microchip placement and pet registration may help you and your pet be reunited easier. Make the microchip part of your family's preparation before disaster strikes.  Don't forget to update your registration when your information changes.
4.        Prepare a Disaster Kit for your pet.  Keep an Evacuation-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is located.  This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. (Visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website (www.aspca.org).  Look under “Disaster Preparedness” to order a Free Pet Safety Packet and a Free Pet Rescue Sticker.  To purchase a pet first aid kit and guide book, you can visit the ASPCA store to buy one on-line. Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:
a.        Medications and medical records in a water-proof container
b.        Information on feeding schedules and medical conditions
c.        First Aid Kit
    i.        Three to seven days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food.  Be sure to rotate the food every two months.
    ii.      Disposable litter trays (Aluminum roasting pans are perfect.)
    iii.      Paper towels
    iv.      Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
    v.       Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
    vi.      Pet feeding dishes
    vii.    Extra harness and leash (Note: harnesses are recommended for safety and security.)
    viii.    Photocopies of feeding schedules, notes on medical conditions, and medical records (with the name of your veterinarian/veterinary hospital) in a waterproof container. Include a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires. (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
    ix.       At least 7 days' worth of bottled water for each person and pet.  Store the water in a cool, dry place, and replace it every two months.
    x.         A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each  
    xi.        Flashlights
    xii.      Blankets (for scooping up a fearful pet)
    xiii.     Especially for cats: Pillowcase or Sack, toys, scoopable litter
    xiv.     Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week's worth of cage liner (or newspaper).
   xv.      Name and number of your pet’s veterinarian:  Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital, 1010 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA
              23322, 757-547-1600, greatbridgevet@msn.com
5.      You should also have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Some items to include: Batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.
6.        Place up-to-date Pet ID tags on your pets and have recent photos of your pets handy in case your are separated and need to make a “Lost” poster.
7.        If you have no alternative but to leave your pets at home, there are precautions you MUST take. Remember that leaving your pets at home alone can place them in great danger!  Confine your pet to a safe area inside - NEVER leave your pet chained outside!  Place notices outside in a visible area stating that pets are inside.  List the pets that are inside the house and where the pets are located.  Provide a phone number where you or an alternate contact can be reached, as well as the name and number of your veterinarian.
8.       For more information:
          Visit Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org and click on “Emergency Services.”
         Visit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at http://www.aspca.organd click on “Disaster Preparedness.”

Pets & Cookouts

Did you know that some of the most common foods we eat during our cookouts are the most dangerous foods for our pets? Meat with bones in it, such as chicken and ribs, are extremely dangerous for our pets to get a hold of and bones can puncture the stomach and other organs if swallowed because they cannot be digested. Corn-on-the-cob can also be dangerous because dogs have been known to swallow the cob whole! What do you do to keep your dog busy with something else during the barbeque?

Pets as Presents? Things to Consider...

You think you have found the perfect gift: a new puppy in a big red bow for someone you love. Surprise! Think again. Sure, it's the thought that counts, but there are several reasons to avoid giving a new puppy or dog as a present. Bottom line, it's usually not an ideal situation for the dog, nor the new owner.

Dogs as Gifts for Adults

First of all, can you really be sure that this person even wants a new dog? If so, is the receiver actually ready for a dog? If you know this person is a dog lover, but does not already have a dog, there's probably a good reason why. If he or she already owns a dog, perhaps it's not the appropriate time to add another dog to the family. Talk to this person about dog ownership. Maybe you can go as moral support when the time comes to choose a dog. Either way, it's safest to stick with gifts of the non-living and breathing variety.

Dogs as Gifts for Children

The gift of a new dog or puppy is something many kids dream about. Unfortunately, most of these little ones do not realize that with dog ownership comes responsibility. Soon enough, the care of the dog can fall into the hands of mom or dad. If you are not the child's parent, then you really have no place giving that child a new dog unless the parent(s) are on board. If you are a parent of the child, then getting a dog is a family decision. Have a discussion with your child about the responsibilities involved. Examine your household situation so you can choose the right dog for your family.

If a New Dog is Right

If the receiver of the gift is actually in a position to welcome a new dog into the home, there are still some important things to consider. Dogs given as gifts on birthdays and holidays can get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the events. Sadly, they may be soon forgotten like new toys and games - particularly where kids are concerned. If someone you care about is interested in getting a dog, give a book about dog ownership or a dog accessory as a gift. Discuss plans to go and pick out that new dog or puppy. If the future owner of the dog is part of the decision process, it will be in everyone's favor. It's the best way to start dog and owner off on the right foot.

GROM-Cat Highlight

 

Pam and Grom

We are proud to highlight Grom, a tiger cub, as our Cat Highlight for the week. Pam, our licensed veterinary technician, worked at a zoo for 2 ½ years. She has some amazing stories about her adventures. What an amazing experience! 

SUDS-Cat Highlight

Suds is a seven year old, male cat. He is owned by Charlene. He likes following his mom around the house and watching things out the window. 

 Suds was recently adopted. He was the only kitty at his previous home and is now being introduced to another kitty in his new home. The change was difficult for him so his new mom introduced him slowly to his new environment. Keeping him in the bathroom for 2-3 weeks and then opening the door to allow him to choose to leave if he wanted. This made him comfortable enough to eventually make friends with the other kitty.

There are many tricks to introducing kitties into a new home.

Cat Highlight-Thomas

Thomas is a three year old domestic short-haired cat. He is owned by Pamela, a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital. Thomas likes bringing his toys to his mom and dad at night.

Thomas likes to scratch everything. As you can see from his picture, he is an adventurous boy. His mom doesn’t want to declaw him because at his age it could traumatize him psychologically. She deters him from scratching by putting layers of sheets over the couch, which he doesn’t particularly care to scratch. She provides scratching posts and vertical surfaces for him to scratch as well. There are many options if you prefer not to declaw… like Soft Paws!

PET OF THE MONTH - CALI

Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital is proud to honor CALI as our June Pet of the M...onth. Here is what her owner had to say about her first encounter with Cali....

"I had gone to Petsmart to get stuff for our two cats, of course my husband was on deployment, and I walked over to the pet adoption area. There she was in a cage. She didn't look sad but she was mad. How dare someone put her in cage and how dare someone turn her in. What a great cat! Cali has been the best, most entertaining cat I have ever had. She even lets me put costumes on her for various parties that we host. The funniest moments are how long it takes her to get in empty boxes. Like moths to a flame…as soon as we get a box, there she is…"

KEELY-Cat Highlight

KEELY is a six year old domestic short-haired indoor cat. Her owner, Debbie, is a Veterinary Assistant at Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital. Keely's favorite things are catnip, bird on a string toy and looking out the window at the birds and squirrels.

Keely has herpes (upper respiratory disease). This feline disease is not transmitted the same way that the human version is transmitted and is not contagious to humans. Cats catch it by contact with other infected cats via grooming, sharing bowls, or fighting. In Keely’s case, she was born with it (which means her mom had it). Her human mom keeps her indoors for two reasons: to keep her health at top-notch and to keep other cats from becoming infected by her. Keely is a beloved part of the family.

                                                                  

Feline Herpesviral Conjunctivitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye. These tissues include the lining of the lids and the third eyelid as well as the tissues covering the front part of the eye or globe. Conjunctivitis may be a primary condition (caused by an infection) or may be secondary to an underlying systemic or ocular disease.

Feline herpesviral conjunctivitis is a form of primary conjunctivitis caused by the highly infectious feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Herpesvirus infection is common in cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Many cats are infected with FHV-1 and do not show any signs of clinical illness (i.e. they have a latent infection). Fortunately, less than 45% of adult cats with latent herpesvirus infection develop recurrent ocular disease such as conjunctivitis. In most cases, herpesvirus conjunctivitis is self-limiting and will resolve within two weeks.

The most common clinical signs of conjunctivitis are squinting or closing of the eye, red, swollen tissue surrounding the eye and eyelids, ocular discharge that may range from clear to yellow-greenish in color, and upper respiratory infection symptoms such as sneezing or nasal discharge. These signs often appear suddenly and are especially common after stressful situations such as travel, boarding, surgery or illness. Chemosis, a condition in which the membranes that line the eyelids and surface of the eye appear to have fluid in them, is more commonly associated with chlamydial infections.

There is no cure for herpesviral conjunctivitis. The therapeutic goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of recurrences. Most cats respond well to medical management and lead relatively normal lives. Minimizing the chance of infection, feeding a premium diet, supplementing the diet with l-lysine daily, reducing stressful situations and proper vaccination against preventable causes are your cat’s best defense

Sneezing…watery…running eyes and nose…itchy and scratchy skin. It's allergy time.  Did you know that your pet suffers from seasonal allergies just as you do?  We offer services for your pet to test for allergies, fleas, ticks and other critters to keep your pet looking and feeling their best.

Winter Pet Dangers

Traveling with your pets this holiday season?

The holidays are approaching and many people are traveling to visit their families. Do you have any interesting holiday pet travel tips or stories to share? Leave a comment telling us your pet travel tips.