Snake Safety

Snakes can be some of the most dangerous critters out in the wild, and even in our backyards, so it’s important to be aware of your pet’s exploration. Snakes tend to spend more time in areas with overgrown underbrush or under decks, but cou

ld venture out into the middle of the yard as well. It’s important to remember that if your pet is bitten by a snake, immediate treatment is necessary. It can really help treatment if you can identify, describe, or provide a picture of the snake that bit your pet when you visit the vet, so that the appropriate treatment can be given. We are proud to have James, a Reptile Expert on our team! If your pet has a run in with a snake, be sure to call us immediately and ask for James.

Cleaning Pet Toys

Your dog's favorite toy doesn't have to be thrown away when it's dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it IS time to throw away. Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water and can even go in your dishwasher for cleaning, but run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. Softer toys, like ropes, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them by wetting the toy and microwaving it for a full minute. For stuffed animal toys, try throwing them in the washing machine when they are dirty. Throw away any toys with dangling parts, stuffed animal eyes, etc. and any toys that your pet is actually eating...unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating it.

Pets & Foxtail Safety

Our staff wants you to be aware of Foxtails, which are plant seedlings that can burrow into a dogs skin, most commonly between the toes, into the ears and up the nostrils or into the gums. A Foxtail can literally go anywhere in a dog and they can be very painful for the animal and can cause damage and/or infections wherever they may end up. Please inspect your dog’s toes and ears daily and immediately remove any Foxtails which you may find.

Kitten Packages

Kittens need special care to keep them healthy and happy. At Sylvan Veterinary Hospital, we would be thrilled to assist you with all your concerns or questions about your new addition. We offer a Kitten Package to ensure your new addition to the family is healthy and happy. Ask us about our all-in-one vaccination/healthcare package for kittens where you can save up to $40! We can help your new pet become a well behaved member of the family.

March is Poison Prevention Month

March is Poison Prevention Month. Did you know that some of the most common household items that poison pets include human medication, both prescription and over the counter? With over 25,000 reported cases of pets poisoned by eating human medicine, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when it comes to storing these items! Keep your medications high up on shelves and closed inside cabinets, where your pet cannot access them. It’s also important to open bottles over counters so that any dropped pills don’t end up on the floor where they can be snapped up by a curious pet. Use precaution, and give your pet a long, healthy life.

 

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Valentine's Day and Your Pet

Valentine's Day is almost here! This means flowers, gifts and candy for you...but what about your pet? Do you buy your pet a gift for Valentine's Day and if so, what kind of gift do you usually buy?

Pet Apps

These curious creatures love playing with Pet Apps on iPhones and iPads. If you have an iPad or iPhone, do you have any Pet Apps installed on them? If so, which do you recommend for pet owners and their furry family members?

Cat Steals Dog Bed

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

This lost Beagle named Dukie (or Pookie as her microchip was registered) was brought into Sylvan Veterinary Hospital this morning.  Luckily Dukie had a microchip making it possible for her to be reunited with her owner Melanie in less than 12 hours!!!

Wackiest Pet Names of 2011

Ozzy Pawsbourne and Almost-A-Dog top this year's list of quirkiest monikers.
Fido, Spot or Fluffy? For some peculiar pet owners, these names are just too traditional. Although "Bella" and "Max" currently lead the pack as the nation's most popular pet names, thousands of other four-legged friends have much more distinctive names.


So drumroll, please... the 10 Most Unusual Dog and Cat Names for 2011:
Dogs

1. Almost-A-Dog
2. Franco Furter
3. Stinkie Mcstinkerson
4. Sir Seamus McPoop
5. Audrey Shepburn
6. Dewey Decimell
7. Knuckles Capone
8. Beagle Lugosi
9. Shooter Mclovin
10. Uzi Duzi-Du

Cats

1. Ozzy Pawsbourne
2. Mr. Meowgi
3. Murderface
4. Fuglee
5. Scruffernutter
6. Corporal Cuddles
7. Cat Masterson
8. Spam
9. Tape W. Orm
10. Louisiana Purchase

Pet of the Month: VADAR

Vadar is a 6 year old, male neutered, Doberman pincher that was presented to Sylvan Veterinary Hospital with a 2 week history of intermittent limping in the right front leg.  There was some soreness determined in the right shoulder during physical examination and x-rays were taken of the right and left shoulders.  A lesion, characteristic of early bone cancer,  was discovered in Vadar’s  right arm near his shoulder.  Further testing confirmed the tentative diagnosis of bone cancer.  

We most frequently see bone cancer in large and giant breed dogs.  Most tend to be very aggressive, although there are some less aggressive forms.  The majority of pets afflicted with bone cancer live anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on how advanced the disease is at the time of diagnosis (stage), and or how aggressive the form of cancer.  Bone cancer is very painful and in advanced stages, treatment is usually directed towards pan relief by giving medications and or leg amputation.  Leg salvage or amputation with follow up chemotherapy is successful in some cases of early detection.   

At Sylvan, we have had 2 patients survive bone cancer, so survival is possible with early detection and treatment.  Unfortunately, these cancers tend to be fairly advanced before diagnosis.  Due to Vadar’s  age, early stage of the disease, and type of bone cancer, It was decided to treat with amputation and follow up chemotherapy in hope for a cure.  

 

Vadar  is now 4 months out with no sign of Cancer.  He is finishing up his last round of chemotherapy and doing great! We sure hope Vadar can beat his cancer. 

 

 

Happy Cat Month

The CATalyst Council has declared September as Happy Cat Month. This month is dedicated to finding ways to keep our feline friends happy, healthy and purring all year long. Click the link below for the top 10 ways to keep your feline friend happy.

Visit our Website!

Have you visited Sylvan Veterinary Hospital's website? Go to www.sylvanvet.com today to learn more about the incredible veterinary services we proudly offer to the community!

Pets in Cars

It’s fun to take your pet in the car when you’re running errands, but in the summer heat, the car can become a potential death trap. Inside temperatures can quickly climb to more than 120 degrees on even a mild sunny day. Never leave your pet unattended inside the car during the summer months. Be sure to bring your pet plenty of water to keep them cool as the season heats up! 

Cookouts and Pets

Cookouts and family reunions are great activities this time of year. However, the food we often enjoy at these events can make pets sick and even cause Pancreatitis, which is a very serious disease. We want to remind you to bring plenty of food and treats for your pets so they can join in the fun without risking a stomachache or other illness later.

 

Thunderstorms

We would like to share this tip about how to handle your pets during a storm. Fear of thunder and other loud noises may drive pets to seek shelter. Their attempts to seek immediate shelter may damage property and cause injury to themselves. Pets that react to loud noises can be trained not to panic through a process called progressive desensitization. We can review this process and recommend solutions that may help your pet weather through the storm!  

When the weather is warmer owners tend to let their pets outside more. Make sure your pet has an identification tag on its collar. The tag should have your daytime and home phone numbers or email address. Also, ask us about microchipping. It can help identify your pet if it is turned into an animal shelter. 

Proper Way to Remove a Tick from your Pet