Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
May 2025 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint
Prevention Is Everything! Protect Your Pet From Rodent Poisons
We are always on the lookout for unforeseen health risks to our pet patients. One that has surprised us this year is a growing incidence of dogs harmed by eating rat poison. We hadn’t seen any cases of rat bait poisoning until this spring. Then, suddenly, we began seeing 4–5 cases a month. (We thought bad luck comes in threes, but we’re way past that.)
The bottom line for dog owners? Prevention is everything! If you use rat bait, place it inside a station sturdy enough to prevent a dog from breaking in. If you move into a different home or rental, walk around the buildings and property and check out every corner. People often put rat bait in barns to keep rats out of their hay. Look in storage rooms, garages, and other potential hiding places to ensure no rat poison has been left behind.
Consuming rodent poison instantly puts these pets’ lives at risk. The problem wasn’t that their owners were careless. These dogs went out and found the poison somewhere. In some cases, the rat poison had been left by a previous owner or occupant of their house or barn. Other dogs got into the poison because the protective bait station wasn’t strong enough to keep them out. The rat bait is flavored to taste good because the manufacturer wants animals to eat it. Rat poison is called “bait” for a reason. It lures animals in . Tomcat rodent bait is the most common brand in our area. It kills rats and mice within a few days and is just as deadly for pets. The bait works by causing rodents to bleed to death internally. It causes weakness, vomiting with blood, nosebleeds, bloody stools, bleeding from the gums, and seizures in dogs. Treating a poisoned pet can be a challenge. We use vitamin K therapy, which is expensive and increasingly
If your pet has eaten rat poison, bring them in immediately. If we see them within an hour or two, we can try to induce vomiting. If we succeed, they’re good to go. In these cases, I sometimes give dogs a vitamin K shot as a safeguard. If 3–4 hours have passed since your dog ate the bait, we try to make it eat charcoal to absorb the poison. We may also prescribe long-term vitamin K to further inhibit the rat bait from causing internal bleeding. A daily shot of vitamin K can help, but that’s even more expensive than pills. Our clients also ask what to do if their dog eats a rat that has eaten the bait. While that dog now has the poison moving through their system, the amount of bait that killed the rat isn’t usually enough to kill a dog. Clients also ask if the bait is a threat to cats. I have never seen a cat eat rat poison. While they may eat a mouse that has consumed the bait, the amount of poison they ingest usually isn’t fatal.
hard to get. We can’t keep the pills in stock because they have a very short expiration date, and the suppliers that normally provide our vitamin K are experiencing shortages. Other sources are expensive. Walmart has been selling five 5-milligram vitamin K pills for $300. A dog may need 20–50 milligrams, so the cost can add up quickly. In a pinch, we can sometimes buy vitamin K through local pharmacies, but their prices are even higher; for one dog, the cost might be $500 a day for 21 days — up to more than five figures!
As you and your pet enjoy the spring weather, be sure to clear your home and property of any leftover toxins and keep an eye on your dog if it wanders off- leash. Preventing these harrowing incidents is well worth the effort!
– Dr. Jeff
1 WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM
Some say the grass is always greener on the other side, but it doesn’t have to be! While this adage has a deeper philosophical meaning about perspective, it can also apply to our actual grass. How often have you looked at a neighbor’s lawn and wondered what they did to make it appear green and lush? Many of us have been envious of someone else’s lawn at one point, but turning your lawn into a picture-perfect paradise is easier than you might imagine with these three strategies! DON’T MOW TOO LOW! One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when trying to keep their lawns tidy is mowing too low. They think they won’t have to do it as often if they mow lower. While this is true, you’re actively preventing your grass from being as healthy as possible. Cutting your grass short creates stress and reduces its density, creating the perfect breeding ground for invasive weeds. Common weeds like crabgrass depend on sunlight to grow. Leaving your grass at a higher length will prevent these weeds from getting much-needed sunlight. Ideally, you want to cut your grass so it’s between 2–4 inches tall. DON’T DROWN YOUR LAWN! Grass needs water to survive, so it should thrive if we give it an overabundance, right? Overwatering your grass damages the root system by depriving it of oxygen and key nutrients. Over time, your grass will weaken and become the perfect home for pests and fungi. Instead, you should provide your lawn with around 1 inch of water weekly. Most lawns will need about 20 minutes of watering 3–4 times per week to receive the proper amount. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE SOIL! You need more than just dirt and water to make your lawn stand out from the rest. Adding a layer of weed-free compost will give your lawn the organic matter and microorganisms it needs to remain healthy. In most cases, you won’t even need to fertilize if your lawn has a solid layer of healthy soil. Try These Simple Lawn Care Hacks THE ENVY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Many pet owners enjoy taking their animals along on errands. But even those with the best of intentions can underestimate the hazards of leaving a pet unattended in a parked vehicle while they take care of business. Protect Your Pet From Deadly Heat HH a o z t a C r a d r !
More than 111 pets died from heat-related causes in 2024 because of their owners’ neglect, and 388 were rescued, according to People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals. Far more cases probably went unreported. Among numerous cases in Colorado, several dogs died in hot cars, and a puppy was rescued from a vehicle where the interior temperature had risen to 117 degrees.
A car is a metal box that turns into an oven in the summer heat. The temperature inside can rise by 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes and nearly 30 degrees in 20 minutes. And the temperature continues to rise the longer you leave your pet unattended, surpassing the temperature outside by 40 degrees or more. Even on a balmy 70-degree day, the temperature inside your car could be 110 degrees or more. Dogs and cats cannot cool themselves by sweating. They have only a small number of sweat glands in their paws and must rely on panting instead. Cracking a window, parking in the shade, or leaving a water bowl in your vehicle isn’t enough to prevent heatstroke. Symptoms in dogs include exaggerated panting, drooling, an anxious or glassy-eyed expression, weakness, muscle tremors, convulsions, vomiting, or collapse, leading to permanent organ damage and death. Older pets suffer more in heat, and so do dogs with broad, short noses, such as pugs and bulldogs, because they cannot pant as effectively as other animals. Thirty-one states have enacted laws aimed at reducing this kind of suffering among pets. Colorado is among eight states that protect a person who breaks into a locked vehicle to rescue an endangered pet from civil or criminal liability. The Good Samaritan must first try to find the owner and also call 9-1-1 before breaking into the vehicle. Average annual temperatures in our state have risen by 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1980, increasing the risk of heatstroke among pets. If you must bring your pet along on errands or other trips, keep them with you or plan for them to relax in a shaded area outside your vehicle. Just a few simple precautions can prevent a tragedy!
2 970-856-4474
TRIM THOSE NAILS!
FIND THE QUICK The quick is composed of nerves and blood vessels at the center of the thick, hard outer coating of the nail. It is easy to see in pets with light-colored nails, but harder in dark-colored or black nails. Place your thumb on your pet’s paw and press gently to expose the claw. Wait until your pet is not moving, and make the cut quickly. Don’t panic if you cut the quick. Your pet will feel a sharp pain, but it won’t last long. Just keep styptic powder nearby and apply it to the cut to stop the bleeding and ease the pain. Why Regular Nail Care Matters
Trimming a pet’s nails can spark anxiety in dog and cat owners who fear hurting their pet, but keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is important for their well-being. Neglecting the task makes them vulnerable to injury by tearing their nails during play or catching them on a fence, carpet, or furniture. Left untrimmed, nails can become ingrown, turn under, cut into their pads, and cause painful infections.
your vet for advice on which would be best for your pet. Other items you may need are a towel or blanket to restrain and comfort your pet and treats to reward your pet afterward.
For cats, scratching posts can help keep nails short, but trimming them now and then protects both you and your furniture from scratches. Cat and dog owners alike should check their pets’ nails at least once a month to ensure they’re at a healthy length. Pets differ in how well they tolerate nail-trimming. Here are three suggestions to maximize the likelihood of success.
A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE After the nail-trimming session is over, reward your pet with treats and praise. Positive reinforcement will make nail trimming easier on your pets and you, turning the oft-feared task into a routine chore. If it causes too much anxiety for you or your pet, however, consider budgeting for a groomer or your vet to keep your pets feeling their very best.
GATHER SUPPLIES Nail clippers come in many types and sizes, including pliers, guillotines, and scissors. Sharp blades can help you make a clean cut, and some clippers are designed with a guard to prevent you from cutting too deep. Guillotine clippers have a hole and an internal blade, making them the easiest model to use for beginners. Ask
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Clients Spreading the Word
Kyle Pitt Lucille Lucas Jacob Schreiner Don Griffee
Alyssa Fritchman Dusty Laufer Mackenzie Bosher
• 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 a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• 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.
We Reward Referrals!
WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM | 970-856-4474
17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413
1 inside this issue Rat Poison Is Called ‘Bait’ for a Reason
2
Your Dream Lawn Is Within Reach
Avoid a High Heat Tragedy
3
The Importance of Keeping Your Pet’s Nails Trimmed
New SCVC Policies
4
A Stray Dog Pulls Off the Ultimate Rescue Mission
STRAY DOG OUTSMARTS FATE AND SAVES HER PUPPY’S LIFE NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
When our furry friends get sick, it’s up to us to bring them in for a veterinary appointment. It’s part of the responsibility of being a pet owner, but stray animals have no owners. Who takes care of them when they most need it? Sadly, help is beyond their reach in many cases. However, some dogs won’t let anything stand in their way, especially if it’s a difference between life and death. In January 2025, a stray mother dog noticed her puppy stopped moving and jumped into action. Without an owner to guide her, the mother brought her baby to a local veterinarian clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The staff saw the dog standing outside their door, so they checked on her and noticed the lifeless puppy. The pup was freezing cold, and the vet wasn’t even sure if it was still alive! The vet could not hear the puppy’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, so he checked it with a needle,
which provided promising results! The dog was alive but had a very slow heartbeat. The vet used a blow dryer to warm the puppy up, and before long, it was awake and moving again. All the while, the mother was at the puppy’s side with her head perched on the examination table. So, how did the puppy’s mother know where to take her baby? This wasn’t her first encounter with this vet clinic; the same doctor was already treating the puppy’s littermate after good Samaritans brought her to the same clinic a few days earlier. Both puppies have been reunited with their mother and are all under the close eye of the clinic. Whether discussing humans or dogs, parents are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their children survive and thrive. However, dogs might have to be more creative with their efforts.
4
970-856-4474
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator