Ridgefield Animal Hospital

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine "Open House"  -  February 11th from 9am-3pm

For information about this great experience go to http://www1.vetmed.lsu.edu/SVM/AboutSVM/News/2011/December/item40187.html. 

It is a super educational outing for kids of all ages, and especially for young adults who are considering veterinary medicine as a career.

 

Cold (and cool ) Weather Hazzards:  All pets housed outdoors need to be provided with adequate shelter and bedding, especially from rain and the prevailing winds.  Dog houses should be sized appropriately, so that the house is not too large as to allow all of the dog's body heat to rise and dissipate in the cold air.  Livestock also need rain and wind breaks, and all pets exposed to the elements need additional calories provided to them so they have the energy to generate sufficient body heat.  As the temperatures dip below 40 degrees consider taking pets indoors, especially small, young, old or sickly pets.

For horses in particular...we tend to see more cases of impaction colics when the weather gets cold.  It may be because the horses, used to drinking a lot in the heat of the summer, back off their water consumption in the winter.  It may also have something to do with decreased roughage intake when hay supplies get short.  In any case, be sure to stay alert to your horse's water and roughage needs, and don't forget that salt blocks are a year-round need.

Mardi Gras Hazzards: Intestinal Issues! 

   1) Small toys and trinkets tossed from floats are rarely pet friendly.  Many can easily be swallowed, or come apart to be swallowed, and then cause an intestinal obstruction - often requiring surgery to correct.

   2) - Crawfish and other local delicacies - Most of us enjoy our seafood spiced beyond what our pet's intestinal tracts can handle.  Refrain from giving them boiled seafood and spicy, onion laden jambalaya during the festivities. 

 

New At Ridgefield: We have recently purchased a digital X-Ray system that enables us to take much more detailed X-rays, and allows manipulation of those images to allow enhancements which will help with diagnoses.  Our digital Ultrasound and new radiology equipment, as well as our laboratory equipment are all connected with our software, to allow immediate access to results at all computer stations, and all results can be efficiently forwarded through cyberspace if your pet requires a consult or referral.

We have also added 9 new computer stations, including units in each exam room, to be able to utilize our imaging equipment better and to begin to move toward a paper-lite practice.  Pardon our growing pains, as all new technology has a learning curve to work through, but we are confident our improvements will help us improve the management of all facets of client and patient care. 

Our newest addition, and a welcome one at that, is our new clinic-wide generator.  In the event of a hurricane or other pawer outage event, we will be able to continue services with our natural gas powered generator.  The generator, which can run the entire hospital, is a major investment...but it fills the important need of providing our community with veterinary care during a disaster, as well as ensuring that our medical records will be accessable at all times.

 

 

Rash of "Dog on Dog" attacks - We have seen an alarming amount of "dog on dog" attacks in the recent weeks, some fatal.  Check out the following hints to try and avoid this often devistating problem.

        1) If outside, keep your dog safe in your fenced yard or leashed and under your direct supervision.

        2) Be wary of mixing your pet with larger dogs, especially if your pet is fairly outgoing and you  are in the other dog's home or area.

       3) Introducing another dog into a household is not always a simple task.  Many puppies are rambunctious and "disrespectful" of an older pet who was there first.  Your older pet may "over react" to the new pet over food, toys, territory, or you.

       4) Neuter your pets.  Many of our dog fights are brought on by roaming and "male" issues.

Unfortunately, many large dog attacks on smaller dogs result in serious trauma from both the bite and the shaking that occurs.  Don't underestimate the damage or the chance for infection to set in.  Seek veterinary care immediately if you pet sustains a bite wound. 

 

World Rabies Day - September 28th, 2011 :  Please consider several tips from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control:  Keep your pet's rabies vaccines current (yearly in Louisiana)

                Don't let pets roam free

                Spay and neuter pets to decrease aggression and roaming

                Teach your children never to handle an unfamiliar animal

                Don't leave out garbage or feed pets outdoors - may attract wild animals

                Do not keep wild animals as pets, and always observe wildlife from a safe distance

                Report any wild animal that seems to be acting strangely

 

Feral cats and wild bird populations  ...  Feral cats are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds, killing over 480 million birds a year.   Please neuter your pet cat, keep it indoors, and discourage "dumping" cats out in the wild as an acceptable method of "re-homing" unwanted cats.

FDA Recall Website - for all your pet food and treat recall questions you can visit www.fda.gov/Safty/Recalls/ucm228986.htm