CHOCOLATE
Why it’s dangerous: Chocolate is more poisonous to pets than any other candy. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, chemicals similar to caffeine that can quickly sicken dogs. In general, the darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is.

What to do: Call us right away and let us know what type of chocolate (i.e. milk, dark, baker’s chocolate, etc.) as well as the quantity consumed. We’ll also want to know approximately when the chocolate was eaten. Symptoms in dogs who have ingested chocolate include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and, in severe cases, seizures.

CANDY
Why it’s dangerous: It’s hard enough for a human to stop at just one piece of candy, so imagine how difficult it is for a pet. Large ingestions of sugary, high-fat candy can lead to pancreatitis, which may not show up for two to four days after the pet ingests the candy.

What to do: Call us right away and let us know the type and quantity of candy consumed as well as how recently the candy was consumed. Pets who have ingested candy may show signs such as decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure or organ damage.

CANDY WRAPPERS
Why they’re dangerous: The candy itself isn’t the only threat. Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause life-threatening bowel obstructions, which often require surgical intervention.

What to do: Call us right away and let us know what type and quantity of candy wrappers were consumed as well as how recently they were consumed. Symptoms in pets whohave ingested candy wrappers include vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate, or lethargy.

RAISINS
Why they’re dangerous: While good-intentioned neighbors may hand out raisins as a healthy alternative to candy, even very small amounts of raisins (or grapes) can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. Some dogs develop idiosyncratic reactions at any dose—in other words, ingesting any amount can cause serious damage.

What to do: Call us right away and let us know the quantity of raisins consumed as well as when they were eaten. Pets whohave ingested raisins may show signs like vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and severe kidney failure.

GLOW STICKS & JEWELRY
Why they’re dangerous: Pets love to chew on things they’re not supposed to, and cats in particular seem to love these items. Over the past year, 70 percent of Pet Poison Hotline’s calls relating to glow sticks and jewelry involved cats. In addition to the choking hazard, the contents of glow sticks can cause pain and irritation in the mouth.

What to do: Call us right away and tell us what your pet has chewed on as well as describing any symptoms such a painful mouth, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth.

COSTUMES
Why they can be dangerous: You may love dressing up, but does your pet? Some costumes can cause discomfort in pets, and any metallic beads, snaps, or other small pieces (particularly those made of zinc or lead) can result in serious poisoning if ingested. Finally, it is not safe to dye or apply coloring to a pet’s fur, even if the dye is labeled non-toxic to humans.

What to do: If your pets like wearing costumes, make sure it doesn’t impair their vision, movement, or air intake. If your pet seems uncomfortable (by tossing their head, becoming restlessness, or the opposite – becoming completely still), it may be best for them to sit the costume contest out this year.

Some pets actually do like dressing up for Halloween. This is Cherry, [above left] one of our contestants in our Pet Halloween Costume Contest! Visit Rose City Veterinary Hospital’s facebook page from November 1st - 7th and vote for your favorite pet Halloween costume photo.

We hope you and your pets enjoy a safe, happy Halloween!

Rose City Veterinary Hospital
809 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
503-232-3105
info@rosecityvet.com
http://www.rosecityvet.com

With the critical socialization age for puppies being 4-14 weeks, and the average age we bring them home being 8 weeks, we need to provide as many positive experiences as soon as possible. It’s important to provide those experiences in order to prevent behavior problems in the future. An easy way to do this is by enrolling in an early socialization and training class with your pup. In these classes puppies learn valuable skills that will help them to deal with every situation life throws at them.

Starting August 7th, we are excited to start offering puppy socialization and training classes to our clients. Through our five-week Puppy Classes, your new bundle of joy will learn basic cues such as sit, down, stay, and name recognition. Your puppy will also learn handling techniques to make him or her more comfortable in stressful situations and socialization tools that will last a lifetime. Help prevent or overcome behavioral and training challenges with a foundation of training that will allow you and your puppy to go on to more advanced challenges.

Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings (enrollment and proof of vaccinations required) and taught by Mary Majchrowski, CPDT-KA, owner of Bravo Dog Training. Mary is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with over 15 years of experience training dogs and their owners. Class size limited to up to 8 puppies, 8–16 weeks of age. The cost of five weeks of Puppy Classes is $140 and the first class begins Tuesday, August 7, at 7:30pm.

If you or anyone you know is interested in signing up or would like more information, please visit our Puppy Classes page, or contact us for more info.

Each year at this time, my dog Vyvyan tries to convince me that the sky is falling and that we need to run for cover.  I try to explain that the loud bangs and bright flashes are our way of celebrating freedom, but he’ll have none of it.  To him, it’s the dogpocalypse and he has no intention of getting caught up in any of that!  Fortunately, there are ways to calm our furry friends and make our Independance Day celebrations less fearful and more comfortable them. 

Here are Vyvyan’s best tips for making the Fourth of July safe and happy for everyone:

1. Exercise your dog early in the day when there is little chance of fireworks going off.  Make sure that you have him or her on a leash or in a fenced in area just in case.
2. Make sure your pet is wearing ID tags on a properly fitting collar.  Animals in a fearful state can go to drastic measures to escape their yards in an attempt to find safety.
3. Keep your pet indoors in a safe area, starting a few hours before sunset.  Closing windows and doors, and providing some music will also be helpful in softening the sounds coming from outside.
4. Give your pet some fun things to do.  This is when you get to bust out all the fun feeder toys.  Fill up two or three with your pet’s meal and then give them one at a time throughout the evening.
5. Medications can help.  Your veterinarian can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication such as Trazodone, to help alleviate the anxiety and fear caused by fireworks.  It’s best to give the medicine one hour before the onslaught of booming in order for them to work properly.  Be aware though that not all medications are proper for treating fireworks anxiety.  Acepromazine is a common sedative that was used routinely in the past.  Although it does have sedative properties, it has no anti-anxiety benefits and actually makes a dog more noise sensitive.  Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has also been used, but like acepromazine, it only causes some sedation and does nothing for the anxiety.
6. Start planning for next year.  Starting a desensitization program can be helpful for next year’s events.  Using a combination of training and noise desensitization is very helpful, and needs to be started months before fireworks season.

If you would like more information on how to keep your pet safe this year, or how to help prepare for next year, please let us know!

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day Everyone!

~Jenn and Vyv

WHY, you might ask, should I adopt from The Oregon Humane Society?

Adopting a pet from the humane society makes the relationship with your new friend especially wonderful. The bond is even deeper since your new pet knows s/he’s being rescued and you know you’re helping an animal in need.

If that isn’t enough of a reason, here’s more…..

Top Three Reasons to Adopt Your Pet from a Shelter:

1. You get a healthy pet!

The Oregon Humane Society is full of happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone just like you to take them home. OHS makes sure each pet is examined, given vaccinations and spayed or neutered before they are adopted. In addition to medical care, OHS screens their dogs and cats for temperament which enables them to make sure each person or family finds the best match possible.

2. You save money!

OHS adoption fees for cats and dogs can range from $55 - $250. This includes spay/neuter, microchip ID, collar and OHS I.D. tag, initial vaccines, one month pet insurance, courtesy veterinary exam, and plenty of post-adoption support from the experienced staff at OHS.

Translation: You save $300 - $600!

Approximate costs when purchased separately:

• Spay / Neuter $150 - $425
• Microchip ID $41
• Collar and ID Tag $15
• Initial Vaccines $24 - 29
• One Month Pet Insurance $30
• Complimentary Veterinary Exam $50
• Post-Adoption Support – Priceless!

3. You feel good!

Pets make us laugh, smile and play. They give us unconditional love and have been scientifically proven to be a health benefit for us humans. They have been known to lower our blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Walking a dog helps us shed pounds and stay fit. Caring for a pet lessens loneliness. Our dogs and cats are more than friends, they’re good medicine and they help us in so many ways!

Be sure and join us at Rose City Veterinary Hospital on June 9th from 1 - 5 pm when we’ll help The Oregon Humane Society end petlessness in Portland! For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

For three years now, Rose City Veterinary Hospital has been offering therapeutic laser treatments to help patients with pain and swelling in their joints.  Laser treatment offers a great alternative to the typical approach of using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Laser therapy is the only course of treatment that stimulates the body to heal from within, without the use of prescription drugs. 

The laser works through non-thermal photons of light administered to the skin and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. Results include increased circulation, reduction of inflammation, relief from pain and an acceleration of the healing process.

Laser therapy is a valuable alternative to using long-term pain medications in patients with chronic arthritis, but it can also be used safely in addition to prescription medications to promote joint healing and movement.

Conditions that benefit from the therapeutic laser include injuries, chronic pain or arthritis, wounds and dermatological problems. Patients typically come in for 6 initial therapeutic laser treatments. The benefit of each laser treatment is then compounded with every subsequent treatment.

Laser therapy can help return motion and relieve pain in our arthritic patients. Our “regulars” love to lay back and let our technicians perform their laser treatments, which typically take anywhere from fifteen to forty minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. Whenever she is here, Shelby closes her eyes in contentment as we use the therapeutic laser on her hips. Shelby’s owner, Julie, has been thrilled with what laser therapy has done for her. “Shelby loves you all so much,” she says. “Thank you so much for making Shelby’s golden years so special.”

An increasing number of our patients at Rose City Veterinary Hospital are enjoying the benefits of laser therapy. Want to learn more? Attend our free seminar and demonstration, Treatment Options for Your Arthritic Pet, on April 19th at 7pm at Rose City Veterinary Hosptial, 809 SE Powell Blvd, in Portland. (Located at 8th and Powell, at the east end of the Ross Island Bridge).  This seminar is free and open to the public. Since seating is limited, reserver your space today by completing our online Registration Form.

This seminar will be taught by Dr. Craig Quirk, DVM, the owner of Rose City Veterinary Hospital. To learn more about him, visit his profile.

What dog doesn’t flip for a massage?

Massage lowers blood pressure and reduces stress for both the giver and receiver. What’s more, learning how to massage your dog is a great way to bond!

Top Massage Benefits:

• Relieves pain from arthritis
• Alleviates stress and anxiety
• Increases circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Releases endorphins, promotes a feeling of well-being.

Sign up today for our “How to Massage Your Dog” class hosted here at Rose City Veterinary Hospital, taught by Rubi Sullivan, owner of HEAL Animal Massage, on Thursday, April 5th. This class begins at 7pm and will be open to human/dog pairs to learn and practice Rubi’s elements of massage.

Please Note: There is a $50 fee for each dog/human couple and enrollment is limited for this hands-on class.

Register Now!

About Rubi
Rubi Sullivan is a dedicated pet massage practitioner who has teamed up with our hospital to allow us to offer this unique service and class. She is the founder and owner of HEAL Animal Massage Therapy. Rubi attended Oregon State University and Northwest School of Animal Massage. She is also CPR and pet first aid certified here in Oregon.

Cats love massage, too!

When your cat or dog boards at Rose City Veterinary Hospital, Rubi from HEAL is available for massage so your pet stays pampered while you’re away.

For more information on:

Boarding Your Pet at Rose City Vet
HEAL Animal Massage

Always remember, despite it’s many benefits, massage is never a substitute for veterinary care. It is always best to visit your vet any time your pet has a problem as well as to schedule annual well-pet exams for adults and twice annual senior well-pet exams.

This moving story reminds us that when the unexpected happens to our pets, we have to act fast. But we as pet owners aren’t always going to know what to do. Marshall was lucky that his owner was equipped with the skills to keep him alive long enough to get him veterinary attention. With a little education on pet emergencies, hopefully all our pets can be so lucky.

What is considered an emergency?
Any situation which threatens the immediate health of your pet can be classified as an emergency. Unless you have been trained how to keep your pet stable in case of an emergency, the best thing to do is to keep them calm and as relaxed as possible while getting them to a veterinarian. Emergencies that require immediate attention aren’t always obvious.

Our gut reaction to bring pets in is usually spot on for traumas (bleeding, suspected broken bones, pets that have been hit by a car, attacked, etc) and if they have ingested a known toxin, but there are many symptoms to watch for that signal your pet needs to be seen right away. Pets experiencing seizures, difficulty breathing, collapsing, disorientation, heatstroke, eye injuries or infections, bloating, evidence of an allergic reaction (often marked by hives, vomiting, diarrhea, collapsing, facial swelling), or animals who appear to be in extreme pain (howling/yowling, favoring a limb, sensitive to touch) should be taken to their veterinarian immediately.

IMPORTANT: Many owners are not aware of the alarming frequency that veterinarians see male cats with a serious condition known as a urinary obstruction. Some cats are more prone to this condition than others, and it is caused by struvite crystals forming in the patient’s urine. Because the urethra of a male cat is so narrow, these crystals can form a blockage. Sometimes owners will observe a cat urinating outside the litter box or straining to urinate/producing bloody urine. It may be difficult to tell that the cat is straining, but most owners will observe that only a small amount of urine was produced on trips to the litter box or that the cat is making multiple, repeated trips to the litter box. If the cat is not seen immediately, this condition can be life threatening, especially if left untreated for more than 24 hours.

What isn’t quite an emergency?
While it is important to be vigilant, not all conditions require the immediate attention of your veterinarian. It is good to be aware of those things that your pet should always been seen for once you notice them, but can be made as a same-day appointment rather than a visit to the ER. If your pet has been vomiting more than two times in a day, has not eaten for more than 1-2 days, has been constipated for more than 1-2 days, is having difficulty moving or getting up, has had one seizure that does not reoccur, has an acute limp, has an abscess, or has been lethargic for 1-2 days with or without evidence of pain, your pet should be evaluated by your regular veterinarian at your earliest convenience. These situations are not life-threatening but may be indicative of a problem that needs prompt treatment.

What more can I do?

To better your knowledge of pet emergency needs, the best thing you can do is educate yourself! On Thursday, March 22nd, Rose City Veterinary Hospital will be launching its Spring Class Series beginning with Pet First Aid and Emergencies. This class begins at 7pm, and will be led by our guest instructor Megan Brashear, CVT, VTS (ECC) , the technician supervisor at Dove Lewis.

Megan will guide us through evaluating basic vital signs of your pet, and how to recognize and respond to common emergency situations with your cat or dog.This class is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so be sure to make your reservation today.

ABOUT MEGAN: Megan moved to Portland in 1999 and has been working as a certified veterinary technician at Dove Lewis ever since. In 2004 she became a veterinary technician specialist in emergency and critical care. Besides educating technicians and owners about emergency medicine, Megan enjoys exploring all Oregon has to offer with her two German Shorthaired Pointers.