Ilderton Villager October 2024

Welcome to the NEW Pets of the Month page!

We all love our pets, big or small, and this new Pets of the Month page will allow you to make them a star for a month! To have your pet featured in the magazine, please send a photo and a brief description of your furry family friend to tami@villagerpublications.com

Meet ‘Mason’ the maniac black kitten. When he’s not tormenting his black cat brother ‘Dexter’ and older dog brother ‘Leo’ around the house, he’s playing with packages of crinkly crackers, wiggly fingers and toes, and eating up a storm. Mason is smart, curious, fearless, and an absolute me- nace, climbing legs, couches and his cat tree. He will Halloween-cat arch himself and jump sideways keeping all the scaries away. When he’s not racing around, he cuddles up on a lap, neck, or in one of his favourite cat-napping spots! He is a welcome addition to our family. Fur Parent: Lisa Spicer

Meet Bruce McHardy, a two- year-old Wheaten Terrier. You may have met him before as he’s been on the loose a few dozen times throughout Ilder- ton. Even though he’s a big dog he always welcomes himself onto your lap for snuggles or is conveniently sitting right in the middle of the stairs! Fur Parents: Annick and Matt McHardy

Rabies Vaccination in Our Pets: Why is this still important? by Dr. Kim Anderka BSC DVM, Ilderton Pet Hospital

pets develop immunity or boost existing immunity even if they are overdue. If the resulting exposure is from a rabies-positive animal, then a quarantine period may be required. So how do you protect your household? Vaccines for rabies are required in all pets including dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age in Ontario. Usually, these are started during the puppy or kitten veterinary visits, then repeated at one year of age and every one to three years depending on the vaccine. Please talk to your veterinarian if you think your pet has been exposed and keep your animals up to date through your veterinary team. If you do not have an existing veterinary relationship, group rabies vaccine clinics are also locally available. Keeping you and your pets safe is what we do! References: Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspection.canada. ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/ canada/rabies-cases-2024 Ontario.ca www.ontario.ca/page/rabies-veterinary-precautionary- confinement-period-recommendations-dogs-and-cats Dr. Scott Weese www.wormsandgermsblog.com/?s=rabies Link to Rabies Vaccine Clinics oavt.org/rabies-response-program/ rabies-vaccine-clinic-listings-ontario-canada

You may have read about the recent case of rabies in an individual in Ontario and wondered about the importance of keeping rabies vaccines up to date in your beloved pets. Rabies is a fatal viral disease which attacks the nervous system of mammals including humans. Vaccination is effective in preventing this disease. In 2024, 1068 animals have been tested for rabies in Ontario so far, showing 50 positive cases in bats. In the last several years, positive cases have included more species such as raccoons, skunks, dogs and cats. Rabies exposure in our household pets most often happens with accidental contact with a bat through a bite when a curious pet decides to catch the bat. Bat bites are quite small and difficult to see. Any exposure should be reported to your veterinarian, and if your pet brings you a bat as a “present” it should be tested for rabies. Post-exposure vaccination can be effective in helping

Drop in for all your dog, cat, and small pets food & supplies; as well as wild bird seed, chicken, and horse feed. We carry the brands you want, from value added to high quality, at competitive prices.

Ruff Trax Pet Supply 13229 Ilderton Road

519-857-2385

To advertise here, please contact Tami@villagerpublications.com

Ilderton and Area Villager October 2024 • Page 5

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs