Rabies & Your Pet

As of may 15th 2012, Oregon health officials have reported that a bat who bit a resident in Multnomah County tested positive for rabies. This is the second bat to test positive for rabies this year, and the first one in Multnomah County to test positive since 2008.

So what does this information mean for pet owners? Essentially, be cautious. Rabies is a serious virus that attacks an animal's nervous system, and if left untreated, will result in death. Symptoms of rabies include lethargy, loss of muscular coordination, walking in circles, convulsions, disorientation, aggression, excessive drooling, and (in wild animals) showing a lack of fear of humans. If you see an animal exhibiting any of these signs, do not approach it. Call your local animal control immediately and report the sighting.

It is important to remember that all mammals are capable of carrying rabies. The most common carriers we see in our area are foxes, bats, and raccoons. You should never approach any of these animals, as they are wild and unpredictable. When it comes to rabies, you not only have to keep your pets safe, but yourself as well. If you see an injured animal, like a bat lying on the ground, or a raccoon favoring a leg, you still need to keep your distance. All it takes is one bite. Instead of trying to help the animal yourself, call an animal rescue and alert them to the situation. The Salem Wildlife Hotline is (503) 856-8242. This is the best way to ensure that you remain safe, and that the animal gets the care it needs.

In order to keep you and your pets safe against rabies, keep the following tips in mind:

• It is highly recommended that owners vaccinate their pets against this virus. Both cats and dogs should be vaccinated. In order to keep your dog's license current, they must be vaccinated against rabies. We offer rabies vaccines for $11.50. It only takes a short time to administer the vaccine, and it could be the difference between life and death for your pet.
• Watch wildlife from a distance--avoid approaching or handling wild animals. It is also not a good idea to feed any wild animals, which may encourage them to approach you. 
• Keep garbage in secure containers to discourage wildlife from coming onto your property in search of food, and feed your pets indoors as well to keep pet food from attracting wildlife.
• Make sure that attics, basements, sheds, barns, enclosed porches and screen chimneys are sealed to deny access by any wildlife that may seek shelter there.

Rabies, though a serious virus, can be prevented by exercising caution and keeping your pet(s) vaccines current. Remember, admire wildlife from a distance, but do not approach! And report any noted symptoms of rabies in both wildlife and domesticated pets.

Summer Fun and Outdoor Hazards

With Spring upon us and Summer right around the corner, it's that time of year again to get outside and enjoy the sunshine (people and pets alike). What's more fun than a hike in the woods, or a day spent out on the lake with your favorite furry companion? Though these warm months provide a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, there are some hazards that all pet parents should keep in mind, both while away from home and in the backyard. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association offers pet parents some tips to keep their loved ones safe this season.

Fertilizers and Herbicides

Fertilizers and herbicides are a part of summer lawn care for many people. We want our lawns and plants to look beautiful, as to enhance all of our time spent outdoors on these gloriously sunny days. Keep these safety tips in mind when beautifying your yard so you and your pet can reap the benefits:

• Any fertilizers or herbicides should be kept in their original packaging, and out of reach of your pets. Be sure to read all labels carefully before application, as applying too much at once can leave a residue behind that can be harmful if consumed.

• Do not allow your pets into the yard while chemicals are being applied. Any food or water bowls, as well as all toys should be removed from the yard prior to application to avoid any possible contamination. Once chemicals have been applied, wait until they have dried completely before allowing your pet access to the treated area(s). Pets can be poisoned if they lick their paws after walking on the treated spots!

Looking for a more pet-friendly solution? Try using alternative remedies, such as organic, natural or even chemical-free treatments on your yard. For a complete list of these, please visit healthylawns.org

Insecticides and Pesticides 

• It probably won't come as a big surprise to many pet owners that insecticides and pesticides can be incredibly harmful to pets. Like fertilizers and herbicides, these products should be kept in their original packaging and away from pets. The most dangerous of these include snail and slug bait, fly bait, mole and gopher bait, as well as rat poison and systemic insecticides. 

• If you see signs of poisoning, which include tremors, shaking, excessive salivating, vomiting, a rapid heart rate or abdominal pain, contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. 

Plants, Compost and Mulch

• Certain plants can be incredibly poisonous to pets. The most common ones you are likely to find in your backyard include azalea, rhododendron, oleander, yew and lily. If you see your pet ingest any of these, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you are contemplating buying new plants for your yard this summer, consider alternatives to the ones above. If you are very attached to the idea of having any of these plants, perhaps you could consider designating an area of your yard to plant them where your pets are not allowed. For a complete list of poisonous plants to watch out for, please visit oregonvma.org/care-health/poisonous-plants

• Compost can also be a harmful substance to pets if consumed. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea, with a possibility of seizures and tremors, so it is important to keep pets away from compost.

• Cocoa mulch, which is an alternative to bark mulch, can be harmful to dogs if they ingest a lot at one time. Symptoms of poisoning from this are similar to when a dog consumes chocolate, which includes vomiting and diarrhea. Like compost ingestion, cocoa poisoning can also cause tremors or seizures. 

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure a safe, happy and fun summer for you and your pets.

*This information supplied by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, a non-profit organization of veterinarians who are dedicated to helping people give their pets a high quality of life.

Graduation Day!

Vet-clinic staffer completes admin program at

Purdue

9:00 PM, Feb. 28, 2012  |   

Michelle Zuiderweg, of the Keizer Veterinary Clinic staff, recently graduated from the Veterinary Management Institute at Purdue University.

Zuiderweg is among 25 veterinary hospital managers and veterinarians to complete the program. She received a certificate in veterinary practice administration, as well as completed 72 hours of graduate-level management education.

—Elida S. Perez

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120229/COMMUNITIES/202290310/Vet-clinic-staffer-completes-admin-program-Purdue?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cs 

KVC's Practice Manager in the Statesman Journal 01/01/2012

Young Professional: Michelle Zuiderweg

Name: Michelle Zuiderweg

Age: 27

Residence: Salem

What I do at work: I am the practice manager for Keizer Veterinary Clinic. My job entails managing all the day-to-day operations of the hospital, human resources, financial planning, marketing and client service. I work closely with our expert vets and amazing team to ensure that we are consistently upholding our mission to provide compassionate animal care, as well as supporting our community and providing a great place to work.

What I do on my time: I am currently attending Purdue University's veterinary management program. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing and occasionally performing humorous poetry and spoken word on stage.

Why I work and live in the Mid-Valley: I love the people and the scenery. Also, if I didn't live here, I wouldn't know where to race my davenport.

What's my favorite Salem secret: Action Liquidators and Auction on Silverton Road. This place is full of mystery and wonderment.

What's something people wouldn't guess about me: I ran in the 2011 Hood to Coast relay and made it to the finish line.

What was I like at 12 years old? Shorter. I grew out of it though.

My smartphone: Motorola DynaTAC 8000x.

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook.

I'd love to have lunch with: Leymah Gbowee.

Salem Area Young Professionals is focused on showcasing Salem as a choice destination for young professionals while establishing Salem's next generation of business and community leaders. Information: www.salemyoungpros.com.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120101/BUSINESS01/201010301/Young-Professional-Michelle-Zuiderweg?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p

ePetHealth at Keizer Veterinary Clinic

In keeping with our commitment to provide excellent patient care, we are excited to introduce a New and User Friendly online service, ePetHealth. This technology offers you 24/7 online access to your pet’s medical information. This service allows you to view or print the necessary information needed in an emergency, when traveling, boarding or taking classes. Here are a few additional benefits. My Clinic - Contact the clinic via ePetHealth, even after hours, for appointment request, medication refill request, boarding reservation or to ask a general question. We will be notified immediately of your request. Imagine how much time this can save you! Alerts - Allows you to better manage your pet’s important medication doses by setting up email alerts. These alerts will signal it is time for your pet’s next dose and how many are remaining. Reminders - An email reminder will be sent to you 30 days prior to any upcoming vaccines and/or examinations due dates. Your pet’s health and care is important to us, which is why we want your pet to stay current with examinations and preventative care. This service also sends you reminders when you have an appointment scheduled with our practice. Educational Materials - Your ePetHealth portal provides you with a library of educational materials including pet health videos, articles, breed information and interactive features. How Do I Get Started? To begin using the service simply visit www.Keizervet.com, click on "ePetHealth" on the left hand side, enter your Email address, and click the 'first-time login?' link located in the Login section. Next, you will be emailed an activation link and guided through the registration process. You will be asked to create a private password and select a secret question and answer you wish to use. Finally, an email will be sent to you confirming that your account is active and you can begin accessing the great features of your portal. Your friends at, Keizer Veterinary Clinic LLP

Happy Holidays

**On Saturday, December 24th, we will be open from 8am until 2pm, and will re-open on Monday, December 26th for normal business hours.**

Dear #FirstName#,

The holidays are a time of joy, time with family and friends and exchanging good tidings. The last thing that you want is for this to be a time spent in the emergency room with your pet. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the holidays and keep your pet safe.

• High fat foods, such as ham, gravy, butter and desserts, may cause inflammation of your dog’s pancreas. Pancreatitis causes intense abdominal pain and vomiting and requires hospitalization to recover. Keep foods securely sealed and enclosed in a high space or the refrigerator. Secure the lid on the trash can to avoid garbage raiding.
• Bones: chewing on bones, particularly turkey bones, can cause splintering. Once swallowed, the splintered bones can cause trauma to the intestinal tract, requiring surgery. Ham bones, while they tend to not splinter, are hard and can fracture teeth when your dog chews on them.
• Onions and onion powder: in large enough quantities can cause a sudden onset of anemia.
• Foreign objects: such as string (used to tie the turkey), skewers, plastic bags and turkey poppers. Your pet does not have self restraint or the common sense to avoid these objects that drip of meat juices.
• Toxins: Mistletoe and holly are toxic plants. Caution with snow globes as they contain toxic antifreeze, which is highly toxic to pets.
• Tree:
  - Secure the tree to avoid the tree falling onto your pet if they decide to climb.
  - Ornaments should be kept on higher branches to avoid breaking, eating and destruction.
  - Tinsel should not be used as pets love to play with it and if eaten, can cause serious injury to the intestinal tract and require surgery to repair.
  - If you put chemicals in the water of your tree, cover the bowl so your pet does not drink from it.
  - Sweep up pine needles to avoid health problems.
• Maintain routines: With all of the people in the house, some pets may become nervous with the change in routine. Provide your pet with a retreat space to unwind from it all. Be sure to keep normal routines especially exercise for your pet.
• Watch that door: If you expect a large number of people in your home, be sure to watch the door to make sure that there are no unexpected escapes.

If you want to offer your pet something special too, choose alternative treats such as a new toy or extra bonding and exercise time. At the end of the day, you will be thankful you did.