True Grit: A Christmas Miracle

It started with a phone call around 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

"Our dog fell through the ice," a man told us.  "She's shivering.  What should we do?"

We gave him directions and our team prepared for their arrival.  Grit, a 2 year old Labrador Retriever, arrived, cold, wet, and non-responsive.  Her temperature was below 80 degrees Fahrenheit (a dog's normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5) and her blood sugar was very low.  As we worked to warm her up, she began seizuring.

Grit's adventure had actually started sometime after noon on Christmas Day, when she came up missing.  After two and a half hours of searching, her owners found her in cold--but fairly shallow--water.  She had fallen through the ice and couldn't get out.  It took the entire family another thirty minutes to rescue her.

Once an intravenous catheter was in place, she was given dextrose to bring her blood sugar back to normal and stop the seizures.  She was dried off, covered in blankets fresh from the dryer, and given warmed fluids.     

Grit regained consciousness quickly and her body temperature rose steadily over the next few hours.  Once she started giving kisses to her nurses, we knew she was well on the road to recovery.  She was discharged from Animal Emergency Care the next day with only a few bruises to remind her owners of their ordeal.

We consider ourselves truly fortunate to have witnessed a miracle this Christmas. 

Happy Christmas to All!

Thanks to everyone who made Santa Paws a successful event for the Chelmsford Dog Association!  And thanks to our photographer, Bill Marshall.  You can find more of his photos here.

Let's have a safe and enjoyable holiday season this year.

The Wonderful World of Toys!

There are so many pet toys on the market today, it can be difficult to pick one appropriate for your pet.  Before you bring home something to make your pet smile, be sure it won't cause them harm. 

Buyer beware! 
Some of the edible dog toys/treats have been implicated in Salmonella poisoning, such as pig's ears and snouts. 

Dogs susceptible to bouts of stomach upset or pancreatitis shouldn't be given any type of edible toys.

Balls can be easily swallowed, especially when coated saliva.  Make sure the balls available to your pet are appropriate for the size of their mouth.

Toy stuffing can cause intestinal blockages if your pet eats it!

Looking for something different? 
Dogs who like a challenge may enjoy puzzle-type toys, where they have to 'solve' a puzzle in order to get a treat. 

Stuffable toys, such as Kongs, are great for food-motivated dogs.  They can be filled in advance and frozen.

Blue Kongs, available through veterinarians, have a built-in safety feature--they show up on x-rays!

 

Don't forget the cats!
Examine cat toys closely prior to use.  Long strings or feathers should be removed. 

And remember:  NEVER leave your pet unsupervised with a new toy.  After all, no one wants to visit the ER during Christmas dinner!

Santa Paws is Coming!

That's right, Santa Paws!

When:  Saturday, December 1
             Noon - 3 p.m.

Where:  Animal Emergency Care
              164 Great Road, Acton, MA
               (978) 263-1742

Cost:      $10 for each photo, with proceeds benefitting the Chelmsford Dog Association

Professional photographs will be taken by Bill Marshall Photography. 

Refreshments will be served. 

Hope to see you there!

Hurricane Safety

Don't forget your pets when you're planning for a hurricane, nor'easter, or blizzard!  Here are some tips to help your pets stay safe during a weather emergency:

*Make sure all pets have adequate shelter BEFORE the storm hits.  Don't let cats outdoors before or during a storm.  Walk dogs in a fenced-in area or on a secure leash.

*Add food and water for your pets, as well as pet dishes, to your emergency provision box.  You may also want to store extra bedding and a back-up leash.  And don't forget any daily medications your pet might need.

*Small dogs and cats should have a designated pet carrier to use in an emergency.  The carrier should be labelled with the pet's name and your contact information.  Line the carrier with clean bedding. 

*Pets should wear an identification tag as well as their current rabies tag.  Keep a copy of your pet's rabies certificate in your emergency box.

*Get to know the emergency shelters in your area.  Before you show up with pets in tow, be sure they will be accepted.  Your veterinarian may be able to suggest alternatives if your local shelter isn't pet-friendly.

A little advanced planning can make weather emergencies less stressful for you and your pets.  Let's keep all our pets safe!


Cat Safety 101

Check out the July 2012 issue of Cat Fancy Magazine.  The article "Safety First" was written by one of our veterinarians, Dr. Janice Barnhart.  Dr. Barnhart has been treating patients at Animal Emergency Care since 1998 and is a canine/feline diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Download this issue of CatFancy here.

The Little Dog That Lived

Hard to believe this adorable puppy couldn't even hold his head up when he came to Animal Emergency Care two months ago.  Without his owner's knowledge, he'd been stealing rat bait.  When it finally caught up with him--it can take several days before dogs and cats become ill--he was bleeding internally and needed a blood transfusion. 

Fortunately, this pup's tale has a happy ending.  After spending four days in intensive care, he's back to being a carefree, bouncy, tail-wagging puppy.  And that's good news for everyone!