blackflies laser therapy and will

Now that we are all spending more time outside there sure are a lot of new rules. No going to the pond by myself, no digging in the vegetable garden (why does she get to), I'm always being told not to poop in the flower garden.... geeez.
The bugs are starting to get to me though. I guess all of us are being bugged! The blackflies are out in full force and Mom says we will start getting telephone calls from concerned dog and cat owners about circular red spots on their pet's belly. She was right about that and boy some of us are REALLY sensitive to their bite

This poor guy really got eaten. Blackflies seem to especially like light colored dogs with bare bellies. Dad gave him an injection to help stop the itch and irritation (steroid) and some antibiotics to help with the infection. There are some great products out there for people but us poor guys are a little harder to help since we LOVE to lick off any ointment or salve put on. West Lebanon Feed and Supply has some great products such as citronella repellents that are natural products and dogs don't like the taste of.

So my face is slowly healing from the tick bite. If your pet comes down with a skin condition that looks like this, the best course is to take him to your veterinarian for treatment.
Guess I have really sensitive skin. Judy Coates, the rehabilitation guru at S.A.V.E.S. has been giving me laser treatments to help it heal. Laser therapy helps tissues heal faster and decreases swelling. This type of therapy is also used for degenerative joint disease, back pain, anal gland inflammation, you name it! Judy does laser therapy on all of my dad's bone surgeries.
There are two types of lasers used for this. Continuous laser therapy acts fast on inflammation, and stimulates circulation in the area which helps healing. Pulsed laser therapy has an immediate effect on pain since it interferes with the transmission of the pain message to the brain. Laser therapy has been around for something like 25 years and has no side effects. If it takes the pain away I'm all for it.

S.A.V.E.S is hopping! I have met so many new friends lately. With Stonecliff Animal Clinic of New Hampshire joining us in the 63 Evans Drive building I will meet even more new friends. This little guy stopped in to meet me just the other day. Wow he was really cute but the barking in my ear and jumping up at me was fun for a while but I was  ready for a nap. I do need to clarify that Stonecliff Animal Clinic is the hospital of my parents that was at West Lebanon Feed and Supply not the one in Bradford, Vermont. With the move into the Evans Drive building in Lebanon my dad will be freed up to see more annual visits and is excepting old patients as well as new ones that are in need of wellness care and don't have a vet yet! The building that S.A.V.E.S. is in. across from Lebanon High School and right next door to Nissan-Miller car dealership is becoming a one-stop mecca of all things four-legged. Starting in July Affecionate Pet Salon from the Miracle Mile in Lebanon will open their doors in part of the Evans Road building. Mom says maybe I won't smell so bad if Eve takes care of my hygiene!

And on a more serious note, the Hartford Police brought in a small cat this weekend that we presume is a stray. The poor little friendly guy had a terrible accident that dismembered one of his hind legs. This little cat is such an inspiration and a miracle. He survived for days wandering the streets of Hartford Vermont like this. The staff at S.A.V.E.S. are doing everything in their power to save this little guy, he deserves a chance having come this far on his own. A human plastic surgeon even stopped by to give advise. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such a dedicated medical community. Between the huge hospital up the road called Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, to the doctors of dentistry that have volunteered their expertise to help us four-legged ones, I feel so grateful to be living here. Thanks everyone, we will keep you posted on this little fighter. TaTa for now.

creepy crawlies, hotspots, and lyme

Rainy, rainy days in May. The river has strayed from the path it usually takes, the fields are now lakes. The rain keeps coming. A common question I hear all day long, "Will it ever stop raining, will it ever get warm?". I say yes but they keep asking the question!

I have heard this guy scream, I can't believe these little birds are taunting him so!

We haven't been walking as much. Mom and dad work constantly! S.A.V.E.S. is so busy and so is Stonecliff. They have decided to move Stonecliff into the S.A.V.E.S. building. The space at West Leb. Feed and Supply has worked out really well but as the hospital grows it is becoming very small. It will be much easier for the staff to have everything in one place and the S.A.V.E.S. building is so new and beautiful that everyone will fit very well.

I love sticks!

So starting on May 16th the Stonecliff hospital will officially be at S.A.V.E.S. Everything for Stonecliff patients will remain the same except the location. We will have a new telephone number but the old one will work also. Stonecliff clients have the added benefit of being able to see their favorite doctors day and night. Any old clients that were not able to follow my dad (Dr. Kelly) to West Lebanon are welcome to see him now in Lebanon. I-89 exit 18 (just like going to DHMC) take your first left on Evans Drive and we are the next drive past the Nissan Miller Car dealership across from the Lebanon High School track and football field.

The Great Frog Hunter!

Check out the S.A.V.E.S. website for location information and more. I unfortunately have been under the weather. The tick season is in full swing and I have an infected tick bite on my face that has turned into a "hotspot" or skin infection. Dad shaved it yesterday (I hate that) and scrubbed it up with some smelly stuff and put me on antibiotics that mom shoves down my throat! Uggggg.

I actually think it is Petunia's fault, she is always biting me in the face whenever I try and get her to play with me! But on a more serious note the hospital has seen a HUGE rise in Lyme positive dogs in the past week. On Sunday alone 3 dogs came in unable to walk with fevers that tested positive for Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease is here.... there is no denying it. Protect yourself and your favorite four-legged friends by vaccinating against the disease and applying a once a month medication that helps control ticks and fleas. It is important to understand this disease and how it is transmitted.

The primary carrier of Lyme disease is the deer tick (not pictured). Borreliosis, the actual bacteria that causes the disease. As a tick develops from a baby (larva) to a full grown tick it will go through many stages and hosts (a mammal that it will feed on and ultimately become infected from if the mammal is carrying the disease). Ticks are most active in spring and fall, they thrive and multiply with cold rainy days (like our whole spring has been). One very important bit of information is that the tick must be attached and feeding on it's host (you, your dog or cat) for at least 48 hours before it will transmit the Lyme Disease to you. Tick medication such as Frontline or Vectra kill the ticks sooner then 48 hours thus eliminating the threat of contracting the disease. We get calls all the time from people upset that their pets still have ticks crawling on them after being treated with these products. The ticks still will bite the pet but will die before they can transmit so your pet is safe. You on the other hand are not. Since there are not products like this for humans we need to take precautions also. Wear long pants that are tucked in on the bottom, citronella (a natural product) will supposedly repel ticks, spray some on your clothing.

Symptoms and timing of this disease are different for pets then humans. Dogs symptoms occur much later after the tick bite, usually 2-5 months after the initial bite. Cats are rarely infected, probably because they are much more efficient and persnickety groomers. Dogs typically have a fever (103-105'F) and shifting limb lameness, sore on one leg then switching to another leg. Swelling in the joints, lethargy and decrease in appetite are also common. We typically do not see the rash like in humans. Dogs infected with Lyme Disease and actively showing signs are treated with antibiotics and supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and pain medications. Dogs can be infected with Lyme Disease and not show any signs. Long term health issues from the disease occur sometimes with kidney failure and heart and nervous system problems. If you suspect that your pet has contracted this disease, contact your veterinarian immediately. Make sure to use the preventative medications and vaccinate against the disease.
It is scary but I sure don't want to stop running through the woods every chance I get! Tata for now