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July 2024 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Peace of Mind Independence Day brings outdoor celebrations with lots of fun and fireworks — and a rise in runaway pets. Microchipping a Pet Shields Owners From Loss
other cases, an owner takes a dog camping and the animal
A story I often hear from pet owners at this time of year is that their dog was so terrified by the Fourth of July fireworks that it bolted. My first question is whether the dog was microchipped. A common answer is, “We’ve been meaning to do it!” Meaning to do it doesn’t get it done. In conjunction with Independence Day and National Lost Pet Prevention Month, this is a good time to have your pet microchipped. It’s one of the best ways to avoid the anxiety and grief of being unable to find your lost cat or dog. If you need an additional reason, July 1 is National ID Your Pet Day, making it the perfect time to sign your pet up for this simple procedure. A microchip is a small transponder device about the size of a grain of rice. It is activated by a scanner passing over it, causing it to transmit an identification number to the scanner. Inserting the chip feels to the pet much like an ordinary injection. Another option we often use is to insert the chip when a pet is already under anesthesia during spaying or neutering. The chip contains no personal information about the owner. It shows only an ID number and a phone number for the microchip registry. If someone finds the pet and calls that phone number, the registry identifies the pet from the ID number on the microchip and reaches out directly to the owner. Many pet owners believe they don’t need microchipping because their dog never goes outdoors or is always on a leash. Those are the pets most likely to be lost. This usually happens in unusual circumstances. Say your grandmother dies and you leave to attend the funeral. While you’re gone, the house sitter opens a door, and the dog races out. Unless the pet is familiar with the house sitter and used to coming when that person calls, that animal is likely to panic and keep running.
freaks out, loses its bearings, and
runs away. Lacking any familiarity with the landscape or the strangers nearby, the dog just keeps running.
Cats benefit from microchipping, too. A Utah cat was recently returned to its owners after being accidentally sealed inside a package-return box and shipped 650 miles to an Amazon facility in California. The Utah couple who owned her had no idea where their cat went — and they never would have if they hadn’t had their pet microchipped. The Amazon employee who discovered the cat took her to the vet, who contacted the pet parents through the chip registry, according to Facebook posts and media interviews by one of the owners. Overwhelmed with relief, the Utah couple flew to California immediately to pick up their long-lost pet. Microchipping can also help recover your pet if it is stolen. Pet thefts are on the rise among burglars who sell them to other pet owners or research labs. Still others pretend to have found the pet accidentally and try to collect a reward from the owner for the pet’s return. This July 4, celebrate National Lost Pet Protection Month by having your pet microchipped and registering that chip in your name with the manufacturer’s registry. You may be averting all kinds of pain and heartache in the future!
–Dr. Jeff
We’ve all seen “thunder dogs” who are terrified by the sound of thunder and are likely to panic. Others dart at the crack of a neighbor’s gun going off. In
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Barb Burnett is an avid outdoor enthusiast, a loving pet parent, and an experienced business owner, but one field she knew nothing about when she joined our team 4 1/2 years ago was veterinary medicine. OUR OFFICE MANAGER APPRECIATES THE MAGIC OF HEALING Spotlighting Barb!
FLUFFY’S HEROIC DEED SAVES A VETERAN
In 2020, Ron Williams, a Korean War veteran in his mid-80s, lived alone. His only lifeline was his Life Alert, a small device designed to alert healthcare officials if an emergency occurred. That was until he was gifted a black-and-white spotted cat named Fluffy. From the moment they met, it was clear the two would make a perfect pair. But what Ron didn’t know was that he had been given more than a companion — he had been given a savior. Feline Friend While Ron did not have many people to talk to, he did have Fluffy. The two shared mostly one-sided conversations, likely interspersed with the occasional meow. Whenever Ron received a call on his cellphone, he got in the habit of saying, “Ring-a-ding.” While the two shared a deep bond, Ron never considered that Fluffy was actually listening. “I just fell in love with him,” Ron said of Fluffy in an interview with FOX17 in Michigan. As it turned out, Fluffy loved him back. Fluffy to the Rescue One fateful day, at around 8 a.m., Ron slipped and fell on his way out of the shower. He landed on his arm, which became pinned under him. His Life Alert, which he had relied upon for situations like this, was charging in the other room. His cell phone, his only other means of calling for help, was on the bathroom counter, out of reach. The hours ticked away, and Ron lay in agonizing pain on the bathroom floor. At just past midnight the next day, Ron had an idea. Fluffy had wandered into the bathroom to check on his friend. “Ring-a-ding,” Ron told him, and Fluffy knew to retrieve his phone and bring it to him. Ron was able to call for help in time to save his life. Fluffy’s quick thinking prevented tragedy. This heroic act is a great reminder that our pets care — and listen — more than we may ever give them credit for.
She has been impressed by its impact on critically ill pets. “Some of the pets come in and you think, ‘There’s no way this dog or cat is going to make
it through,’ and then they do!” says Barb, who serves as our office manager and receptionist. “They come out on the other side and have many more years. It’s amazing to me that the doctors can take an animal that is so sick and, with their skill and knowledge,
perform their magic.”
Barb and her husband Gregg previously owned and operated a sporting
goods store. After they decided to close it, she remembered that Dr. Jeff had once told her, “We are always looking for good people,” so she applied for an opening here and is glad she did. “I do really enjoy my job,” she says. Barb’s family has expanded recently to include two one-eyed black rescue cats. After one of her two cats died, she adopted a black shelter cat, Cassi. Cassi had a badly damaged eye —probably the result of an attack by a dog, raccoon, fox, or another cat. Dr. Susie recommended removing the eye, which she did, and Cassi is feeling much better. About a month ago, Dr. Susie rescued another black kitty that also had a badly damaged eye. After Dr. Susie removed it, Barb adopted her, too, and named her Ella. Icarus, Barb’s orange kitty, is less than thrilled with his two companions, she says, but he’s getting used to them. Away from work, Barb enjoys fly fishing, ice fishing, camping, riding ATVs, and Jeeping on the Grand Mesa with Gregg. Her best fish story, Barb says, involves catching “a 24-inch cutthroat trout up on the Mesa with a fly rod.”
When she’s not exploring the outdoors, Barb keeps our office running smoothly and on schedule. We are thrilled to have her with us!
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SUNSHINE SAFETY Keep Your Pets Safe in the Sun
Getting your dog to wear a sunhat is a cute social-media photo opp, but it also could protect your pet against a painful sunburn.
Sunburn is less common in cats, but cats’ skin can still burn in
As temperatures hit seasonal highs this month and pet owners head outside to play, it’s important to remember that pets can suffer sunburn, too. The most vulnerable dogs are hairless breeds and those with white or thin coats and light-pigmented noses and eyelids, including collies, Dalmatians, and bulldogs, according to the American Kennel Club. Also at risk are dogs that like to lie on their backs in the sun — just like human sunbathers! Any sunscreen you use on your dog should be made for dogs, without the human sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which are toxic to dogs. Apply sunscreen to any exposed, light- skinned areas of your dog’s body, including the bridge of the nose and skin around the lips, groin, and inner thighs. The sunscreen should be fully absorbed within about 10–15 minutes, but make sure your pet doesn’t lick it off before that time. If you can’t find a canine sunscreen product, children’s sunscreens sometimes can be used, but check the label first for toxic ingredients. Getting your dog to wear a protective hat or jacket can also help.
areas not covered by fur, mainly on their ears, noses, and
bellies. Sunburn in a cat can cause red, scaly, inflamed skin or swollen eyes or paw pads. Cats with white or cream-colored fur, including
Siamese, Himalayan, and Persian breeds, are at highest risk. Others with thin or no fur also may burn, including bambino, sphynx, and Russian hairless cats. If you use sunscreen, be sure to choose a type made for cats, and apply it to the ears, nose, and other exposed areas.
If after a sunburn your pet develops a fever, begins whining or crying in pain, or exhibits an unusually dark skin color, consult your veterinarian. Don’t let sunburn spoil your summer fun — either yours or your pet’s!
Salmon Fried Rice for Dogs Inspired by DogChild.co This delicious and nutritious recipe is perfect for rewarding great behavior or celebrating a pet’s birthday! With finely baked salmon and delicious rice, this recipe is sure to get two paws way up!
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
INGREDIENTS
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4 cups water
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1 cup green peas, diced
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2 3/4 cups uncooked brown rice
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1.2 lbs canned or deboned salmon
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2 whole carrots, diced
DIRECTIONS
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
1. Boil water, then add brown rice. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, adding the carrots and peas after 20 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Wrap salmon in tin foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake salmon in the
oven for 15 minutes, then add the baked salmon to the rice. Mix well. 3. Turn off the heat and let rice mixture cool completely before serving.
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Strategies to Keep Your Furry Friend Safe inside this issue How a Cat Saved an Army Veteran in Need
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Meet Barb, Our Office Manager!
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Pets Can Get Sunburned, Too! Protecting Dogs and Cats
New SCVC Policies
Salmon Fried Rice for Dogs
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Tips for a Stress-Free Backyard Barbecue
NPoelwicySCVC At the time of scheduling a dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded. GRILL AND CHILL
Host a Summer Barbecue for Everyone Enjoying your own party can be more complicated than it sounds. Backyard barbecues are a high point of summer, but hosting one you enjoy with your guests requires planning. on hand to manage stains and cloth towels that guests can use to wipe up spills.
Expert hosts also recommend a self-serve bar for casual summer gatherings. Consider filling several 3-gallon drink dispensers with popular options. Depending on your guest list, you might offer family fare such as lemonade, iced tea, ice water, or premixed cocktails like strawberry vodka lemonade or passion fruit margaritas. Martha Stewart suggests allowing amateur mixologists to concoct their own beverages by setting out bottled juices, artisanal sodas, and kombucha. A stylish yet simple way to serve hors d’oeuvres and side dishes to complement your grilled entree is to assemble or have catered a charcuterie board. These feature finger foods such as meats, cheeses, olives, spreads, fruits, nuts, chips, and crackers. A fully stocked charcuterie board adds a decorative touch while
“If swimming is on the agenda, consider protecting new or light-colored indoor furniture with water-resistant covers so guests in wet swimsuits can sit wherever they want without stressing out their host,” says Calla Quinn, a TikTok influencer who recently posted tips on hosting up to 50 friends at your home. Another tip she shares is using of portable misting fans in dry climates. These devices create a fine mist to refresh passersby in seconds, and they are especially popular on patios and decks. If attendees offer to bring something, don’t hesitate to accept, and be specific about what you want — from lawn chairs to beach towels. Martha Stewart recommends having a stain remover
keeping guests well-fed for hours, adding what Quinn calls “a real wow factor.”
And to make sure your day ends well, look for disposable, compostable bamboo or wooden dishes. Searching for “eco-friendly tableware and cutlery” should turn up some good options. This one last detail can go a long way toward supporting sustainable living while ensuring you don’t spend any valuable party time cleaning up broken glass or washing dishes.
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