SPCA NoVa

12/19/2024

Is your dog being treated for osteoarthritis? If so, you should know that the FDA has reported adverse side effects from a drug used to treat it, librela.

The FDA has identified and analyzed adverse events in dogs treated with Librela (bedinvetmab injection).

12/05/2024

Thank you to all of our supporters who donated to and/or shared our fundraiser! While we are still tallying our donations, so far, we have surpassed our goal and raised over $18,000.

On behalf of the dogs and cats who benefit from your generosity, thank you, thank you, thank you!

12/03/2024

WRANGLER - (Continued)
continues!

Before going the route of considering the extreme surgery, we consulted with our regular veterinarian. She advised us to continue the prescribed treatment and set up an exam in about 10 days. We continued to monitor his activity level and appetite.

Wrangler proved to be such a strong kitten. Once the pain medications kicked in, he began eating like a champ. He was putting on weight and it only took him about a week to fully trust humans.

The vet was pleased at Wrangler's progress at his exam 10 days after being rescued. His weight was good and he had no signs of infection or neurological issues. His ear, however, continued to be swollen shut – closing off his ear canal. He wouldn’t be able to hear out of that ear, but that didn’t seem to affect him in any way. Wrangler was acting just like his siblings!

Wrangler was monitored by our vet every few weeks as he received his regular kitten checkups. Our vet told us she couldn’t predict whether he would have problems in the future, but that his prognosis was excellent, and it appeared that he would not need surgery. Wrangler is a perfectly healthy kitten who is simply missing an ear!

Won't you please make a donation today so that we can provide the extra care so many of our animals need?

Thank you. (If you've already made a donation, please accept our thanks.)

https://www.facebook.com/donate/863929602306529/10221344214433399/

12/03/2024

continues... Meet FARLEY!

Imagine if your entire living space consisted of a circle defined by the length of a chain. That’s how Farley spent nearly all of his almost 6 years since he was 8 weeks old. He was exposed to all kinds of weather and was susceptible to attack by wild animals or free-roaming dogs, a common sight in the rural part of Virginia in which he lived. In fact, he was savagely attacked by an animal, possibly a dog. Unable to escape his attacker due to the chain, he suffered a gruesome tear to his neck.

Initially, Farley was brought to a rural southwest Virginia shelter as an injured stray. He was treated at county expense, and when his owners were located, Farley went home.

A couple weeks later, a neighbor noticed Farley was not receiving any follow-up treatment and was back on a chain despite his serious, unhealed neck wound. Animal Control seized Farley, and his owners were charged and found guilty of animal cruelty. Farley spent several weeks in a veterinary hospital being treated for his wounds before a local rescue reached out to the SPCA of Northern Virginia to see if we could take him into our care upon his release from hospital.

Next episode: Learning how to enjoy being a dog

Won't you please make a donation today so that we can provide a better life for neglected dogs?

Thank you! (If you've already made a donation, please accept our thanks.)

https://www.facebook.com/donate/863929602306529/

12/03/2024

Meet WRANGLER!

Wrangler and his three siblings, Wesley, Sassy, and Raven were born outdoors and lived with a colony of cats and kittens. Their caretakers were a kind older couple who lived in the same neighborhood as Rebecca, an SPCA NOVA volunteer. Rebecca offered assistance with rescuing the kittens and spaying/neutering the feral adult cats through Fairfax County’s trap/neuter/return (TNR) program. In July 2024, Rebecca went to work trapping the adults and kittens. Luckily, Wrangler and his two sisters were trapped the first evening traps were set, and Wesley was trapped the next morning.

As soon as we got a close look at Wrangler’s injured ear, we rushed him to an emergency veterinary practice. His right ear had been severed off and the ear canal was swollen shut. There was drainage coming out of his swollen ear suggesting an infection. We knew his condition was serious and that getting immediate treatment was needed.

Wrangler weighed in at only 1.5 pounds and was a bit underweight. Wrangler hadn’t eaten much, if anything, the night before which was concerning.

In the ER, the remaining outer portion of his ear was cleaned and clipped off. Wrangler was treated with pain and anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics. The vet was most concerned about the inflammation that was closing off his ear canal. The vet explained that if the inflammation continued this could cause chronic ear infections. He recommended we consult with a board certified surgeon about the potential for a total ear canal ablation (TECA). This procedure removes a diseased ear canal and part of the middle ear.

This poor little guy was in bad shape, but we would make sure he got the best care. Please help us continue helping cats like Wrangler this !

https://www.facebook.com/donate/863929602306529/1006882051480213/

12/03/2024

Please support SPCA NoVa this ! Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.

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11/24/2024

With around the corner, ASPCA provides tips to keep our four-legged family members safe over the holiday! Read more below:

Thanksgiving can feel hectic, so to give you a leg up on this holiday, our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have you covered with some tips on how to make your Thanksgiving a pet-safe meal!

11/06/2024

Shae is so beautiful. She needs a home of her own so she can enjoy outings like this all the time. Thank you Patty for giving our dogs such fun times.

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09/08/2024

GALORE!

SPCA NoVa is swimming in kittens. Here are two bonded pairs who need loving homes: Jade/Opal and Mary/Mini. 🐈 See our adoption page for details about the girls! https://spcanova.org/cats/adoptable-cats/

08/10/2024

— We can do better than this! Please help your local animal - adopt, foster, volunteer. There is always a solution if people take action to do their part.

Shelters across Virginia reported that 9,878 cats and dogs were euthanized in 2023. Nearly 1,500 were in one city alone.

07/06/2024

UPDATE: We are open to splitting the kittens into two pairs to maximize socialization. And they will be adopted out only in pairs.

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HELP! rescued last night. SPCA NoVa needs experienced kitten or other with experienced foster to take over. 5 weeks old, eating wet food. Scared, but easy to handle. Email [email protected].

07/04/2024

July 4th means fireworks. For most people, fireworks are joyful, but for pets, the noise can be terrifying. It's best to time your pet's walks and potty breaks before fireworks are scheduled to begin and keep your pet inside after dark. If your pet becomes especially scared, try creating a quiet space in a closet or basement and play calming music to drown out the noise.

07/01/2024

Shelters and rescues are in crisis. If you are considering adopting or , now is a good time to save lives. However, this decision needs to be thoughtful. This article provides some good information about what to consider. Note: most rescues, including SPCA NoVa, require kittens be adopted in pairs or for single kittens to be adopted into a home with a compatible young cat. This is critical to kittens’ wellbeing. Read more below!

Many potential cat owners face challenges they never anticipated. Follow these essential tips to avoid the common errors that can complicate the adoption process and ensure your new feline family member settles in happily and healthily.

06/22/2024

It’s hot out there, ! Did you know that temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit are too for most to spend time outside without overheating?

Some factors (including coat, face shape, age, weight and other conditions) also make some dogs more predisposed to . Read more below:

Do you know how hot is too hot for dogs? Breed, activity level, and size all contribute to how comfortable your dog will be when temperatures rise. Learn how to keep your dog safe in hot weather and how to tell when it's too hot.

06/17/2024

Did you know? Environmental temperatures greater than 100 F are considered too hot for . Even a few minutes in a locked car on a sunny day can lead to deadly effects. Read more below!

Even though fever in cats is defined as a body temperature of 103 F, environmental temperatures greater than 100 F are considered too hot for cats. In this article, our vet experts advise pet parents on how hot is too hot for cats.