North East Farm & Family Mobile Veterinary Service

North East Farm & Family Mobile Veterinary Service North East Farm & Family Mobile Veterinary Practice makes farm and home calls for first opinion care Welcome to our page!
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North East Farm & Family Mobile Veterinary Service and Dr. Pearson, BVMS is pleased to offer comprehensive first opinion care for large and small animals. We are open by appointment and look forward to meeting you!

Dear NEFFVET Clients ,NEFFVET turns 10 years old this October. Hard to believe. It has been a great pleasure to serve th...
09/09/2023

Dear NEFFVET Clients ,

NEFFVET turns 10 years old this October. Hard to believe. It has been a great pleasure to serve this area over that time. With time comes change, something we have all experienced especially of late. This year brings big changes to NEFFVET and for Dr. Pearson.

Dr. Pearson has accepted an offer to further her mission of improving animal health and welfare as Assistant State Veterinarian, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The decision to make NEFFVET a part time venture has not been taken lightly and realize that this will impact many.

As of 09/25/2023 NEFFVET will no longer be able to be a full time/24h care provider with the responsibilities that come with the new opportunity. We plan to offer care going forward on a by appointment basis.This means WE WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL EMERGENCY & URGENT CARE NEEDS. We will be referring emergency/urgent care needs to other facilities in the event we are unable to attend.

Dr. Pearson is planning to be available to clients as often as possible M-F, but appointments will be very limited. We recommend finding a primary care veterinarian who can be available for ALL of your routine and urgent/emergent needs because that is what is best for the animals under your care. Please let us know where to forward any patient records, we will miss you, but we want the best for the animals which means continuity of care is of high importance.

We appreciate many of you will have a lot of questions. Many we will not have answers for immediately. Thank you for your support and flexibility. If you have any questions, please contact the office via Televet found on our website (www.neffvet.com) in the red chat bubble or by replying to [email protected].

Please understand we will not be available to take every phone call as we undergo this transition.

Best wishes,
NEFFVET & Dr. Pearson

Open by appointment only. Dr. Pearson has accepted the position of Assistant State Veterinarian and will do her best to serve our current VCPR client base on a part time capacity. Emergency & urgent services may be referred to other facilities due to this change in circumstances.

07/04/2023
Remembering all those who were lost to become our freedom. We honor you today and are every day thankful.
05/29/2023

Remembering all those who were lost to become our freedom. We honor you today and are every day thankful.

NEFFVET is looking for you! This is your chance to join and experience the rural vet life. Put your valuable skills to u...
05/22/2023

NEFFVET is looking for you! This is your chance to join and experience the rural vet life. Put your valuable skills to use in helping us help many creatures from chickens to cattle on any given day. Join us in the office or on the road with the option to work from home on some days as well. Is this your dream job? LVT/CVT are desired for this position, though we are open to someone working towards qualification who we are the perfect fit for.

It's May Day! 30 days until June. Most of you are well prepared by now. For those of you stocking up the shelves in prep...
05/01/2023

It's May Day! 30 days until June. Most of you are well prepared by now.

For those of you stocking up the shelves in preparation for the changes coming to how antibiotics are sold and used next month; please keep the following in mind:

Withdrawal Period, also known as withholding period, is the time that MUST elapse between the administration of a veterinary medicine and the proruction of food from that animal to ensure that the food does not contain levels of the medicine within that animal's body does not exceed the maximum residue limit.

All antibiotics have labeled uses that have been heavily studied with detailed protocols on the packaging for each species for that intended use. Anytime we use a medication outside of that labeled use, it falls under the federal juristiction of Extra Labeled Usage Drug (ELUD).

ELUD's are common in the realm of minor species such as goats and pet birds. It is common in veterinary medicine to treat certain conditions with medications that do not have a specific labeled use for the condition treated. This means that a withdrawal period has to be issued by the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank for that specific animal treated with the specific antibiotic at the specific dose used at that specific time to keep everyone safe. A copy of that treatment must be part of the animals record by the farm and veterinarian. It's a lot of work to do things right!

Now, what about medications that are expired? THROW THEM AWAY. Expiration dates are real, especially for injectables. Expired means the medications don't work the way that they used to or that their packaging breaks down and allows for contamination, which effects usefulness. Anything in a brown bottle is light-sensitive and definitely is not going to work as intended past the expiration date. Using more isn't going to fix the problem. Using more or not enough changes the withdrawal and can result in antibiotic resistance.

***Please note that under the law, we cannot and will not provide treatment protocols, dosages or withdrawal periods for medications we don't prescribe. This is for our protection as well as the animals and their keepers living in todays world. ***

This should go without saying, but the storage instructions on the packaging are also very important. Leaving medications in the hot sun or freezing in the barn can make them worthless as the medication can be broken down and not work properly. This is also true for vaccines. Do you have a thermometer in your fridge?

Another common bad habit we see is leaving needles sicking out of the top of injectables that got used and were then left chillin' on the shelf in the barn for 6+ months. Ew. The resident needle creates a super highway for air, dirt, fungus, mold and bacteria to enter the bottle! Don't do it unless you want to make your own injectable vial snow globe. Fun to look at, not fun to use.

If you are marketing or using products from animals and are not paying attention to these things, it could make someone very sick, negatively impact animal health/welfare and result in a bigger mess than one started with. Most of you already know this, but for those of you who don't, please keep this information in the forefront of your mind when you are at the homestead and shopping at the farmer's markets.

They're here! Come check out the Heritage Baby Animals Exhibit - 6th Edition. This is a great event focusing on educatin...
04/21/2023

They're here! Come check out the Heritage Baby Animals Exhibit - 6th Edition. This is a great event focusing on educating visitors about livestock and their importance to society past and present.

This event has gone to great lengths to preserve animal welfare, comfort, and biosecurity while on view for the public. We applaud and support Strawbery Banke for their efforts!

With many people and animals anticipating new babies coming it is time to look through those first aid kits. Check your ...
03/02/2023

With many people and animals anticipating new babies coming it is time to look through those first aid kits. Check your animal medicine cabinet and first aid kits regularly. Keep a list and check it twice, better find out what's expired and nice in those kits before you need them.

This post is also a reminder about government-mandated VCPR changes and antibiotic over-the-counter (OTC) sales coming in June 2023. We must have done a wellness exam (animal not sick or needing a procedure that day) on the premises within the past calendar year to provide basic prevention prescriptions including basic antibiotics like the penicillin listed in this first aid kit list. More information can be found on our website under the announcements tab.

Have a wonderful snowy day!

Happy Valentines Day!
02/14/2023

Happy Valentines Day!

Antibiotics are coming off the shelves of retail stores June 2023 as mandated by the FDA. This is bringing us all a lot ...
02/08/2023

Antibiotics are coming off the shelves of retail stores June 2023 as mandated by the FDA. This is bringing us all a lot of change to our local agricultural landscape. Make sure you and yours have a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) so you are prepared for the changes to come this summer.

At NEFFVET we plan to arm our VCPR clients with written treatment protocols for common farm specific ailments and make sure clients have ready access to the medications outlined within that treatment plan. We already offer this to our current VCPR clients so it will be an easy transition. In some cases clients will be given those antibiotics and prescriptions at their annual wellness/health planning appointments. We aim to offer in person and telehealth/consulting services to our VCPR clients to aid in our treatment plans and expedite communication.

Clients utilizing veterinarians for emergency only cannot be deemed VCPR clients under the State and Federal Veterinary practice act laws. Know this and be prepared, veterinarians cannot bend federal law and it is unrealistic to expect them to. Be proactive.

More information can be found on our website under the Announcements tab.

Plan ahead. Save lives, time and frustration.

See you next month for another reminder for the changes coming Summer of 2023.

Hi, Friends and Family! Galaxy Goats is hosting an online event Feb 24 at 7pm to help farm animal owners learn how to re...
01/31/2023

Hi, Friends and Family! Galaxy Goats is hosting an online event Feb 24 at 7pm to help farm animal owners learn how to respond in an emergency. We cannot always predict when an emergency will arise, but we can be better prepared. Sharing is caring as they say, please share with your farm friends and family!

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-finalizes-guidance-bring-remaining-approved-over-counter-medically...
01/11/2023

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-finalizes-guidance-bring-remaining-approved-over-counter-medically-important-antimicrobial-drugs

This link will take you to the FDA order to remove antibiotics from the shelves of feed stores, agricultural suppliers and online retailers summer of 2023. This is a BIG change to our agricultural landscape and to already dwindling number of farm animal veterinarians. The FDA's plan to increase antibiotic stewardship and regulation has been in motion for the past 4 years with completion set for June 2023.

How will this affect you if you have a valid Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR)? Not much. You contact your veterinarian who you see each year and you work out a plan to get the medications needed after the recommended exam (in person or virtual where applicable) and follow the treatment protocol.

How will this affect you if you do not have a valid VCPR? FDA has mandated you need veterinary guidance and a prescription for any antibiotics used. This means you have to have a valid VCPR. The veterinarian will be in federal violation to dispense antibiotics without a valid VCPR per FDA/AVMA/State mandates.

Yes this costs money, more than usual if you don't utilize a veterinarian. All problems cost money when we think about it. Some problems cost more money than they should if not handled appropriately. Ever do a DIY project at home that turned out less than ideal? This is about the future as far as the FDA is concerned and veterinarians are bound to uphold to the law or face prosecution. Please do not make their lives more difficult. Complain to your state and federal law makers instead to make the changes you want to see.

In the interest of preventing animal suffering, protecting our food supply and upholding to the federal law NEFFVET wants our agricultural community to be well informed and prepared for this change. Tell your neighbors, friends and coworkers. This is going to take a while for us all to get used to and we will be doing our best here to keep more things in stock and devise cost effective means of providing care that fits within the framework of the law. More information can be found about the VPCR and this new regulation change on our website at www.neffvet.com under the Announcements tab.

Plan ahead, be prepared. It saves lives, wasted time and frustration.

We will be launching monthly reminders and more information for everyone's convenience.

NEFFVET Veterinary Client Patient Relationship StatementThe Veterinary Client-Patient Relationship, VCPR, is the legally...
01/04/2023

NEFFVET Veterinary Client Patient Relationship Statement
The Veterinary Client-Patient Relationship, VCPR, is the legally mandated basis for the interaction between the veterinarian, clients and their patients. This vital relationship is paramount for providing quality care and upholding animal welfare by allowing the veterinarian to regularly assess animal patient environmental and physical status and to communicate regularly with the animal owner- the client.
Establishment of the VCPR means:
• The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgements regarding the health of the animal patient including the need for medical treatment. The animal owner/client has agreed to comply fully with the veterinarian’s instructions.
• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition. Meaning, the veterinarian has physically examined the patient within the past 12 months during a regularly scheduled non emergent appointment. Additionally, should an animal patient possess a condition or need for recurring therapy such as with controlled substances, the care is conducted within the prescribed guidelines.
• The veterinarian is available for ongoing care of the patient or has arranged for emergency coverage or continuing care and treatment of the animal by an appropriate veterinary professional or veterinary referral center.
• The veterinarian maintains comprehensive medical records indicating the assessment, treatment plan to allow for another veterinarian to provide continuity of care should the need arise.
• The client has agreed to pay their account balance at the time of service.
• Telehealth/consults may be utilized to benefit the VCPR, but only with the context of a previously established physical examination within the past calendar year or sooner as deemed appropriate by the veterinarian befitting the scenario. Telehealth/consults are an aid to the VCPR in the diagnosis, formation of the treatment plan and prescribing only.

We have a planned route to these towns on Jan 13. If you are an existing client and have something that needs the Doc's ...
01/03/2023

We have a planned route to these towns on Jan 13. If you are an existing client and have something that needs the Doc's attention, give us a shout, while appts are still available.

12/24/2022

Have a cheerful holiday, Everyone!

Enterotoxemia, also known as Overeating Disease, is a severe disease that often affects ruminants under 1 year of age.  ...
12/19/2022

Enterotoxemia, also known as Overeating Disease, is a severe disease that often affects ruminants under 1 year of age. It is caused by toxins from the bacteria Clostridium Perfringens types C and D.

This bacteria is a normal finding in healthy animals, normally they remain low in number and cause no ill effects. Illness occurs when the amount of bacteria in the digestive system becomes out of balance and the population has rapid exponential growth. The overgrowth of bacteria release more bacterial toxins than the body can handle. This leads to intestinal damage and damage to the other organs. Many cases, sadly, do not recover and result in fatalities.

What triggers this population explosion?

Abrupt dietary changes seem to trigger this shift in the biome. Specifically, rapid increases in grain, milk/milk replacer (lambs and kids), protein supplement, sudden change/access to lush pasture. These foods are high in starch, sugar and/or protein. As an aside, excess protein that is unable to be utilized straight away is metabolized into sugars and stored as fat for future use.

Signs and Symptoms of Enterotoxemia

· Abruptly goes off feed

- Bloating

· Stomach pain- cramping- Watch for repeat kicking of the abdomen, hoofing the ground, standing with head pressed to wall/tree etc, frequent shifting from laying to standing, teeth grinding, laying on side, panting, and crying out

· Diarrhea/loose stools can develop. Some cases the stool has visible blood

· When toxins reach the brain, they may lay on their side, unable to stand, legs extended, with their head and neck craned back over their withers.

o Unfortunately, at this stage death is soon upon them, typically within minutes to hours.

· This disease progresses rapidly and animals can be found deceased without any previous signs of illness.

Prevention and Treatment

The most effective form of treatment is prevention. When it comes to prevention feed and diet management with routine vaccination is the gold standard. There are two types of vaccines, a two way and a three-way. The two way protects against the Clostridium Perfringens Type C&D and the three-way adds the additional protection against tetanus (Clostridium Tetani).

For previously unvaccinated adult animals, the initial dose requires a booster 21-28 days later so that the body develops the proper amount of long term antibodies to be considered protected. From then annual boosters are needed due to these long term antibodies only last a maximum of a year in small ruminants. In flocks and herds residing on soils containing high levels of clostridial tetani bacteria or with high prevalence of clostridial disease history, more frequent boostering is necessary.

We recommend that pregnant ewes and does receive a vaccine approximately 1 month prior to kidding/lambing. This maximizes the amount of anti-body present in the colostrum. Colostrum is vital to the offspring’s immune development and well-being. Vaccinating 30 days prior to the anticipated birthing allows for passive transfer of antibodies to protect the offspring from enterotoxemia until they are old enough to receive their initial vaccine and booster.

For new goat/sheep owners and seasoned producers alike, we offer vaccine program customization for your unique goals. The right vaccine program can enhance your disease prevention, so you can maximize your herd/flock’s productivity and reduce preventable illness. Ask us how today!

Public Health AnnouncementWe were alerted today that there has been a confirmed human case of Echinococcus, which is a t...
12/16/2022

Public Health Announcement

We were alerted today that there has been a confirmed human case of Echinococcus, which is a type of tapeworm, in New Hampshire. This parasite is readily transmitted to humans and can cause devastating and even fatal illness called Echinococcosis.

Echinococcosis is classified as either cystic or alveolar. The hosts for the cystic variety are dogs, goats, sheep, cattle and pigs. Whereas the hosts for the alveolar are dogs, fox, coyotes and rodents.

Cystic echinococcosis infections in humans are often asymptomatic. It tends to progress slowly and undetected for many years. The disease causes cysts to grow in the liver, lungs and other organs.

By contrast, the Alveolar echinococcosis infection is rare in humans, but causes much more harm. It causes the growth of parasitic tumors in the lungs, liver and other organs that can be fatal.

Treatment for these illnesses is extensive, expensive and can be challenging to access. Treatment options for the cystic variation for a time was only surgery, but now there are other intensive options such as chemotherapy. Unfortunately, alveolar infection requires radical surgery, chemotherapy or both and is much more difficult to treat, sadly with often poor outcomes.

How Is the Parasite Transmitted?

The parasite is transmitted when your dog eats the organs of an animal that has been infected with hydatid cysts. The cysts develop into adult tapeworms in the dog. When the tapeworm eggs are shed in the dogs manure and the f***s contaminate the ground. Sheep, cattle, goats and pigs graze on the contaminated grounds and grasses. The eggs hatch and then grow into cysts in the internal organs.

The most common way humans are infected is by accidental consumption of contaminated soil, water or food that has been tainted with the infected f***l matter of an infected animal. Usually that animal is a dog. Most common human infections happen for people who raise livestock with guardian dogs, statistically, those who raise sheep, because of the cyclical relationship and the dogs access to ingesting the manure of the sheep.

Prevention

Preventing parasite infection is key to preventing its spread to humans and other animals on your farm. Here are our recommendations on how you can keep you and yours safe and healthy:

· Prevent dogs from feeding on rodents or other wild animals

· Do not attract stray dogs or wild animals from coming to your home

· Restrict home processing of sheep or other animals

· Do not allow your dogs to eat p**p or other “treasures”

· Restrict where your dog can roam with proper fencing or containment

· Walk your dog on a leash so you can restrain them from eating a carcass or other manure

· Do not consume any food or water that may have come become tainted by f***l matter

· Wash your hands with soap and warm water after handling animals, farm chores and before and after food prep.

· Take biosecurity measures on your property to deter rodent infestations

· Teach children proper handwashing methods

Our final recommendation: Screening for internal parasites routinely to confirm if deworming is necessary can reduce the risk of infection. In some cases, deworming on at prescribed intervals is recommended.
If you would like to find out more about the options available to protect your farm and family, please contact us.

Hello Everyone! Cass & Doc wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season! May it be joyful and allow for time spent wit...
12/11/2022

Hello Everyone! Cass & Doc wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season! May it be joyful and allow for time spent with friends and loved ones both 2 legged and four.

'Tis the season to celebrate and reflect on years present and past. 2023 will bring NEFFVET's 10th birthday. Time sure does fly. We look forward to spreading some holiday cheer and serving our community to our best ability. Thank you clients past and present for making working here unique, challenging, fulfilling and for supporting private practice. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you!

We wanted to also wish Marina a welcome back this Monday after her time away.

Also, as a reminder we will be closed December 26th.

Merry Holidays!

11/16/2022

Holiday Notice: We will be closed next week Thur/Fri for Thanksgiving. Reopening on Monday

Wanted to thank all of our Veterans today for their service, dedication and sacrifice.
11/11/2022

Wanted to thank all of our Veterans today for their service, dedication and sacrifice.

Absolutely!
10/07/2022

Absolutely!

🤣

To Those Who Get To Enjoy A Break and To Those Who Continue to Take Care of Us Day and Day Out: Thank You!
09/05/2022

To Those Who Get To Enjoy A Break and To Those Who Continue to Take Care of Us Day and Day Out: Thank You!

Elderberry...makes delicious jams, syrups and even throat lozenges...but it's also poisonous.Say it isn't so! 😒Alas it i...
08/09/2022

Elderberry...makes delicious jams, syrups and even throat lozenges...but it's also poisonous.

Say it isn't so! 😒

Alas it is and not just to people.

All parts of Elderberry are poisonous to livestock, horses, pigs, and poultry.

So how are we able to indulge in jams and jellie?

When the RIPE berries are cooked its toxic properties are diminished.

TOXIN: Cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin - blocks body's ability to release oxygen into the body's tissues/cells

DISTRIBUTION: Elderberry is now cultivated as an ornamental bush in home gardens. It is found along roadsides, in fields, pastures and near streambanks.

IDENTIFICATION: See page 2 of the graphic for links to sites with details on how to identify elderberry. There are some poisonous look alikes.

SYMPTOMS: can be present within 30 minutes and death can result within 1 hour depending on qty.

NEW GROWTH & WILTING LEAVES ARE MOST TOXIC

Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Mental confusion
Dialated pupils
Bright red mucous membranes
Difficulty breathing
Panting/open mouth breathing
Rapid heart rate, arrhythmia
Abortion if pregnant dam survives
Organ failure

TREATMENT: 100% oxygen therapy, removal from the source and treatment with cyanide antidote.

Meet Jimson W**d…This nasty little bu**er has many aliases.Thornapple, stinkw**d, locow**d, augushka, ditch w**d, devil'...
07/19/2022

Meet Jimson W**d…
This nasty little bu**er has many aliases.
Thornapple, stinkw**d, locow**d, augushka, ditch w**d, devil's snare, devil's seed, devil's trumpet, Korean morning glory, Jamestown w**d, angel's trumpet, beelzebub's tw***ie, mad hatter, and crazy tea.
Some of them are hilarious! But be warned: It packs quite the punch
It is part of the nightshade family: Solanaceae
Like its other family members (henbane, mandrake and deadly nightshade) it is known to cause delirium and death.
It is toxic to all livestock, pets, horses, poultry and pigs. It is especially toxic to people.
Incidentally, despite its unpalatable taste and foul odor, more jimson w**d poisonings occur annually in humans than in livestock. This can be attributed to its hallucinogenic properties and a quick google search highlight that it has been used to treat certain ailments.

DO NOT INGEST JIMSON W**D.

Cattle and Swine are the most poisoned animals.
A Jimson W**d Poisoning is Not Pretty or To Be Taken Lightly In Animals or People. T
TOXINS: tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.
Description
· Coarse, foul-smelling, annual, ½ - 2 feet tall, with purple-tinged stems.
* Leaves alternate, coarsely and irregularly toothed.
* Large, white to lavender, flowers.
* Fruit is spiny capsule with many black, shiny seeds.
Found In: Fertile Fields, Barn Yards, Gardens, and can live in a variety of conditions, but prefers rich soil. Yet can be found on roadsides.
HAY & SILAGE SHOULD NOT BE MADE FROM FIELDS CONTAINING JIMSON W**D UNTIL ALL HAS BEEN REMOVED.
ANIMALS SHOULD NOT GRAZE SPARSE PASTURES CONTAINING JIMSON W**D.

SIGNS OF POISONING:
SYMPTOMS OCCUR WITHIN 30-60 Mins of INGESTION
Hallucinations, Dry mucous membranes, Excessive Thirst, Dilated Pupils, Blurred vision, and Difficulty Speaking and Swallowing
Nausea, Constipation, Fast/Weak Pulse, Urine Retention, Tachycardia, Lack of Coordination, Aggression, Violent Behavior, Tremors, Fever- Or Decreased Body Temperature (varies by animal), Convulsions,

Contact 911 for Human Poisoning
For pets and livestock contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning. Early treatment is crucial.

07/17/2022

It is World Emoji Day! Just for Fun what are your favorite emojis? Ours are 😁👍👌🤩 and anything with an animal (of course!)

The Maine Dept of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry extended their advisory to suspend poultry and waterfowl movement...
07/14/2022

The Maine Dept of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry extended their advisory to suspend poultry and waterfowl movement, exhibitions, shows, etc.

This extension comes on the heals of another case of HPAI in a non-commercial, backyard flock.

Typically, the infection rate starts to decrease in the summer months. This does not appear to be the case with this outbreak.

Bird keepers are advised to keep their birds in a secure indoor run with adequate shelter from bird droppings and contact with wild birds.

The advisory will continue to be extended in 30 day intervals as new cases develop. The attached images are of the DACF's announcement.

Thank you!

Today's Toxic Tuesday is all about Allium Toxicity.The genus allium is full of culinary delights- onion, garlic, chives,...
07/06/2022

Today's Toxic Tuesday is all about Allium Toxicity.

The genus allium is full of culinary delights- onion, garlic, chives, leeks and scallions. While they may be delicious on our dinner plates they can wreak havoc for our pets and livestock.

We have all had our dog or cat snag a tasty treat from us at dinner time. Seems innocent enough, but it can be dangerous. Especially if that morsel is one listed above.

*****It's important to note that the level of toxicity is dosage and animal specific. *****

Dosage has less to do with volume and more to do with concentrations of toxins. For example- Garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. -AND- Onion or Garlic powder is more concentrated than a whole onion.

Cats are most susceptible to Allium toxicity, followed by dogs, and then cattle and pigs. Sheep and goats appear to be the most resistant, but that does not mean they are should be disregarded.

How do animals get poisoned?
- Grazing a pasture with wild onions, garlic- There are wild species and many farmlands have been around for generations. Beds can go wild, seeds can spread, etc.

- Getting into the garden (bags of bulbs, seedling trays, etc), pantry, your dinner plate, or garbage can

- Eating foods that contain concentrated forms- soup mixes, spices etc

- Mosquito/Tick Yard Treatments- commercial applications, especially non-chemical, all natural treatments are concentrations of garlic/onion oil

- Natural Garlic Dewormers- again toxicity is dosage and animal specific- Use Caution

TOXIN: N-propyl disulfide

The toxin is believed to be responsible for the hemolysis that occurs after ingestion. Hemolysis is the breakdown on the red blood cells. This causes the oxygen carrying hemoglobin to be released into the bloodstream.

Oxidative damage to the red blood cells causes Heinz body anemia, which is clumps of damaged hemoglobin that stick to the red blood cells. The anemia will often begin within 24 hours and continue to progress in severity.

Early symptoms can include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Anorexia- lack of eating
Weakness
Exercise intolerance

Clinical Symptoms:- are often not noted until anemia has set in
Rapid breathing
Rapid heart rate
Yellowing of the eyes
Dark yellow or orange urine
Collapse
Death

Treatment:
Veterinary care is critical. If poisoning is caught early on decontamination of the GI tract is begun. Oxygen support and blood transfusion are often necessary in a hospital setting with ICU care. IV Fluids.

-

07/04/2022

Happy 4th of July! Be safe. Enjoy!

Lily of the Valley (LOV)You may know it as May Bells, Our Lady’s Tears or Mary’s Tears.  In French it is “Muguet des boi...
06/22/2022

Lily of the Valley (LOV)
You may know it as May Bells, Our Lady’s Tears or Mary’s Tears. In French it is “Muguet des bois”.
Scientific Name: Convallaria Majalis
TOXINS: cardiac glycosides are gastrointestinal irritants causing vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It can cause a variety of cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., irregular pulse, bradycardia, rapid thready pulse, ventricular fibrillation), seizures and can be fatal.
FUN FACT #1- Its species name majalis translates to “of or belonging to Maia” because it flowers in May and is the birth flower of May.
Watch for the sprays of white, bell-shaped flowers in May. And it’s deep green foliage through out the spring and summer.
NOTE: Later in the season the white blooms give way to red berries. These red berries can be enticing to small children.
WARNING: All parts of this plant are poisonous to goats, dogs, cats and people.
LOV is native to several continents and does well in cooler climates. It is not heat tolerant. Here in the US is classified as an invasive species. It is a woodland herbaceous plant and can be found in forests along stream banks and in places with moist well drained soil. Some report it prefers chalky soil.
It is often used as groundcover due to its low lying foliage and mat-like tendencies.
The variety of transformations it takes through out the season can make it a stealthy danger. The foliage sprouts early in the season and can be attractive to goats when less green forage is available.
FUN FACT #2- It is not a true lily. In fact it is a relative of asparagus.
ON SET OF SYMPTOMS: Can manifest within an hour.
Like all poisonous plants the severity and timeline of symptoms varies based on quantity ingested, overall health of the animal and its unique sensitivity.
TREATMENT is case specific- supportive care may include intravenous fluids, oxygen support, medications to treat heart arrhythmia, and medications to ease gastric troubles.

Ingesting Lily of the Valley is an emergency and seeking veterinary care is recommended.

Address

2435 Milton Mills Road
Acton, ME
04001

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12072065521

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