World Rabies Day: Zero by 30

Today is World Rabies Day and marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.

Rabies is a viral disease. Dog-transmitted rabies accounts for about 99% of human rabies cases. It is estimated that 59,000 people die from rabies every year.

The World Health Organization is now two years into their ‘Zero by 30’ global goal. This year they released a three-phase plan to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. “The plan ensures support to countries in developing national plans, and provides innovative training and education tools across regional rabies networks,” said Dr. Bernadette Abela-Ridder

Phase 1: START UP. We will build a strong foundation for rabies elimination by preparing and improving normative tools and structures to catalyse action. Key activities include supporting countries to prepare robust, budgeted, effective and sustainable national rabies elimination plans following a One Health approach; and facilitating the coalescence of these plans into a coordinated regional effort.
Phase 2: SCALE UP. This is where we engage and involve the most countries in rabies elimination. Using the strong foundation established in Phase 1, refined and improved with learning and experience, we will expand our efforts and truly go global.
Phase 3: MOP UP. Phase 3 is the last mile. We will engage remaining countries in the fight to eliminate rabies, and continue to support country efforts as communities, nations and regions advance to reach “Zero by 30”.

Rabies is 100% preventable by ensuring access to life-saving treatment following dog bites; and by vaccinating dogs to reduce risks and ultimately to eliminate the disease at its animal source. Maricopa County requires that dogs be vaccinated for rabies virus once every three years after they have completed their puppy series. Puppies receive a rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age and then one booster a year later. For felines, the rabies vaccine is given yearly.

If you have any questions on Rabies, vaccination, or if your dog/cat is protected, give us a call at 480-368-1741

 

How Much Water Does My Dog/Cat Need?

July is the hottest month of the year. Not only does Arizona run hotter-than-usual temperatures compared to other states but this year we have been breaking records. Water intake for humans is a big topic in the health and fitness world but it has great benefits for your pet too. It helps prevent urinary tract infections, it helps regulate their body temperature, and helps improve kidney function. Humans benefit most from having at least 8 cups filled at 8 ounces each day but do you know how much water your dog or cat needs?

A good rule is 1 ounce per 1 pound. A small animal weighing twelve pounds would need twelve ounces a day compared to a fifty-pound dog which would need fifty ounces. If you take a moment and measure the water in your pet’s bowl you might be surprised by how little water they are getting. Many pets don’t consume the daily recommended amount. The water equation for our pets is higher because their bodies are composed of 80% water while ours is only about 60%.

Adding water to their food is a great way to sneak extra fluids in if you have an animal that will not drink the extra ounces. Adding flavor, such as chicken or beef broth, to their water creates an incentive to gulp down additional ounces. Running water instinctively encourages animals to quench their thirst. Some pet water fountains mimic this motion.

Loss of appetite, decreased frequency in urination, and being lethargic are all signs of dehydration. A simple at home test is to pinch the skin between your animal’s shoulders, just below the neck. If the skin quickly falls back into place it means they are well hydrated and there is elasticity to the skin. If the skin sort of stays in place after you let go and slowly returns to normal your pet may need more water.

If you have concerns about your pet’s water intake call us at 480-368-1741. We can answer any questions or make an appointment if doctor intervention is appropriate.

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Pet Fire Safety: Do You Know What To Do?

July 15th is Pet Fire Safety Day. Prevent your pet from starting a fire at home with these tips.

• Extinguish open flames –  Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly put out any open flame before leaving your home.
• Remove stove knobs – Remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
• Invest in flameless candles – They take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
• Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – A glass water bowl placed outside on a wooden deck can heat up due to the sun’s rays and ignite the deck beneath it.  Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

Take these three precautions in case a fire does happen.

• Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away from Home – Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet.  When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
• Secure Young Pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
• Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home –  Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets.  Make sure to update the number of pets listed.

For a free Pet Safety Pack from ASPCA click HERE. 

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Some Pets Need Diets Too!

Hello friends!

Gibby here, faithful Official “Naughty Ginger” of North Scottsdale Animal Hospital. Well I always thought when everyone called me “chubby” and “fluffy” it just meant I was cute. Turns out it meant I’m going on a diet! The people who   are supposedly in charge of me – I think we all know who runs this place, wink-wink, have decided that I need to lose some weight. So they have started feeding me something called Hill’s Metabolic + Urinary Stress – Don’t tell them but it’s delicious! I eat the chicken flavor dry kibble even without any teeth! Sometimes I even get a Hill’s Metabolic cat treat.

So far I’ve lost a whole pound in just about a month. Everyone here was excited but they said I still have quite a way to go. I am getting more exercise now too. Instead of guarding the front desk all day by sleeping on it; during lunch breaks Amy and Mel are pulling out some cat toys and getting me to play chase – I secretly enjoy that too! We had a photo shoot before I started my diet so we can keep track of my progress and those are posted below. Aren’t I a handsome cat? I will have a follow-up shoot again soon and we will let you know how it’s going.

(Amy said I had to use the middle one because it shows the “cute wrinkles” above my tail!)

Sincerely yours,

Gibby

Advantages of a healthy weight include, higher energy, increased mobility, decreased risk for complications with the use of anesthesia and more depending on if there are any diseases already present such as osteoarthritis and diabetes. Call your vet to answer any questions on how the Metabolic Weight Loss plan can work for your pet. After a weigh-in, a nutrition plan will be made for your pet giving you both the beginning tools for success. Gibby will continue to update throughout his journey. If any pets are on metabolic and would like to share their journey we’d love to hear them! Will your pet join Gibby in getting fit?

 

What is Chronic Kidney Disease and is your pet at risk?

Value of SDMA

One of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in veterinary medicine is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in senior cats. CKD is progressive and results in kidney failure and death, Unfortunately, we often diagnose this disease in its late stages. Historically we have been able to do a combination of blood and urine tests, looking for an elevated BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and Creatinine to signify disease within the kidneys. While these tests are accurate, they only tell us there is kidney disease after 75% of kidney function is lost. With this system many cats may have significant kidney disease lurking, but appear to be normal on blood-work.

Fortunately a new test is available and it is changing how early we can find this disease. A new test called Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a renal marker that detects CKD when only 25% of kidney function is lost. This is much earlier in the disease process, and therefore allows us to make recommendations for care earlier. Earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention may mean a better prognosis over time.