This month’s Pet of the Month is Lola. She is a 7 year old Chihuahua mix that has been coming to Dogwood since June 2007. Her visits to Dogwood have been great! She is overall a healthy small breed dog coming to us for vaccines, blood tests and almost yearly dental cleanings. You see, like many small breed dogs, Lola suffers from chronic dental disease. Chronic Dental Disease is when there is a build up of tartar and gingivitis (gum disease) leading to 12 tooth extractions! Now with many of the teeth gone that were causing her to be uncomfortable, Lola is doing great and enjoying her summer with her family!

If it gets too hot for your pets today, we have air-conditioned indoor boarding available for the next few hotter days! Your pets can’t “dress down” for the heat like people can.

The National Weather Service Excessive Heat Watch:

Severe Weather...EXCESSIVE HEAT OUTLOOK FOR THE INLAND VALLEYS...COAST RANGE
AND CASCADE FOOTHILLS OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON THIS
WEEKEND THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK... HOT TEMPERATURES WILL DEVELOP OVER
INTERIOR SECTIONS OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON THIS
WEEKEND. HIGH TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY ARE EXPECTED TO RISE INTO THE LOWER
90S. TEMPERATURES WILL CLIMB INTO THE MID AND UPPER 90S OVER THE WEEKEND AND
LIKELY CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK. SOME LOCATIONS MIGHT
TOP OUT NEAR 100 DEGREES SUNDAY OR MONDAY. 

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR VERY WARM CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK BEFORE
SIGNIFICANT COOLING OCCURS. HOT TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN
WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. 

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUNSHINE...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

The following Proctor & Gamble dry pet food products are included:

UPC CODES FOR P&G PET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS RECALLED ON JULY 30, 2010

Full Article: P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

Read full article:  FDA: Evamist Hormone Spray

Mosquito Concerns in Dogs: general discomfort from bites especially for dogs with allergies, Heartworm (three confirmed cases at Dogwood Pet Hospital), West Nile (one confirmed case in West Linn).

Recommendations:

• Deet Wipes — lightly wipe ears, nose, and underbelly.
• Avon Skin So Soft
• Give a monthly heartworm preventative:  Sentinel (tablet), Heartgard Plus (chewable treat form), and Revolution (topical). We recommend Sentinel since it has the added benefit of flea and certain intestinal parasite prevention.

Cats

Mosquito Concerns in Cats: general discomfort from bites  especially for cats with allergies.  Although hearmworm in cats is extremely low in this area, it does exist.

Recommendations:

• Deet Wipes — lightly wipe ears, nose, and underbelly.
• Avon Skin So Soft.
• Monthly heartworm preventive available:  Revolution (topical).

Related Articles:

• Natural Mosquito Treatment
• Mosquitoes Spread Infectious Disease in Dogs: Q & A
• What are Heartworms?

1. Prevent Heartworm Disease. Heartworms are parasites that can live and breed inside your pet’s heart transmitted by mosquitoes. Adult heartworms can cause heart and lung damage, even death. Learn how to protect your pet from heartworm disease.

2. Keep Pets Indoors. Make sure windows and doors are shut or properly screened.

3. Remove Standing Water Sources. Ideal environments for mosquito larvae.

4. Apply Avon’s Skin So Soft. Apply ears, nose, and underbelly areas.  Conveniently order Avon’s Skin So Soft with our Avon Representative.

5. Circulate Air. Repel mosquitoes with moving air indoors and outdoors. Having an outdoor BBQ or party? Add a fan to repel pesky mosquitoes.

Related Articles:

• More tips on how to protect your pets from mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes spread infectious disease in dogs: Q & A.
• The Oregonian:”Floodwater mosquito are bombarding the Portland area,” published July 9, 2010.

What are heartworms?
In a nutshell, heartworms are parasites that can live and breed inside your dog’s heart transmitted by mosquitoes. Adult heartworms can cause heart and lung damage, even death.

How do dogs get Heartworm in the first place?
Infected mosquitoes transmit heartworms from one pet to another.  It only takes one infected mosquito!

What are common symptoms of infected pets?
Coughing, lack of energy, labored breathing, and weight loss. We recommend testing yearly for heartworms if not already taking a preventative.

Is heartworm prevalent in our area?
Sadly, almost 300,000 dogs in the U.S. are infected with heartworms annually. Traditionally, heartworms are found in warm, humid climates ideal for mosquitoes however Heartworm IS moving north. Dogwood has confirmed 3 cases of heartworm–all patients were not taking a  preventative.

What exactly is “heartworm prevention” and where do I get it?
Heartworm prevention is a prescription tablet given once monthly.  It’s easy and safe to give, in fact most dogs take it as a treat. We recommend giving Sentinel tablets (protects against heartworm, roundworm, whipworm, and fleas) or Heartgard Plus chewables (same as the Sentinel except no flea protection). We ALWAYS carry both products, GUARANTEE it’s efficacy, and routinely offer coupons and rebates. [ add links to both products].

Is it safe to give a monthly heartworm preventative?
YES! We at Dogwood Pet Hospital confidently give our own dogs a monthly Sentinel tablet since it covers fleas too. By giving a monthly preventative, you’re not only protecting your dog from infectious disease, but your family as well! The United States Center for Disease Control reports that 1 to 3 million people are infected with zoonotic diseases every year and 700 plus Americans experience permanent or partial blindness from roundworm parasites. Roundworm protection is an added bonus of Sentinel and Heargard Plus!

How much does heartworm prevention cost?
Protecting your dog from heartworm, fleas, whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms costs as low as $15/month.  We routinely have rebates and special offers too!

I’d like to start protecting my dog and family today. How do I begin my dog on heartworm prevention?
It’s easy! Your pet needs an exam within the last year and a current heartworm blood test. Once your pet begins monthly prevention, we recommend testing for heartworms every 2 years just in case a dose is missed.

Related Links: The Oregonian:”Floodwater mosquito are bombarding the Portland area,” published July 9, 2010, American Heartworm Society, Sentinel Heartworm Prevention.

Exciting things are happening at Dogwood! After 30 years of yellow
counters and floors, and more than 15 years with the grey counters, we are
remodeling half of our building now, and the rest later this year. Please
bear with us through the mess, and we will have a better environment for
you and your pets.

To facilitate the floor and counter changes, we will be closed this Saturday, July 24th. We will reopen Monday morning at 7:30. Please plan accordingly for food and prescription pickup and patient visits.

If you have a pet health emergency this Saturday, please call SE Portland Animal
Hospital at 503-255-8139.

Thank you for your understanding of our mess, and come see our new look!