MARBACH ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

04/28/2025

Vaccination is simple, effective way to prevent canine parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious among unvaccinated dogs and puppies and causes potentially fatal disease, but vaccination beginning when puppies are 16 to 20 weeks old confers robust protection. Intensive supportive care can save infected dogs' lives if initiated early, says veterinarian Karen Sheehan, a clinical instructor at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Until dogs are fully vaccinated (two weeks after their third shot), owners should avoid taking their pets to dog parks and other high-traffic environments,” the university said in a statement.

04/21/2025

04/21/2025

People with fake service dogs make it harder for people who really need them
Advocates are concerned that people trying to pass off untrained or poorly trained dogs as service animals are undermining the credibility of legitimate service animals and making it more difficult for people who rely on them to access public spaces. A survey by Canine Companions for Independence found that nearly 93% of respondents had encountered fake or uncontrolled service dogs, and 79% reported incidents of uncontrolled dogs interfering with their service animals. Proposed legislation in Massachusetts, which does not have a law banning fraudulent representation of service animals, would establish a commission to investigate the matter.

Two thirds of service dog users say badly behaved fake service dogs negatively impact their independence and quality of life.

04/21/2025

Podcast: Why a veterinarian-epidemiologist's catio is closed
Veterinarian, epidemiologist and cat owner Meghan Davis has closed her catio to protect her animals from migrating birds that might be carrying H5N1 avian influenza. House cats are susceptible to H5N1, but there is little surveillance for the virus in pets, Dr. Davis says. "Proximity to a sick animal can put people at risk, and as any cat owner knows, cats have a way of getting right up in your space. If we don't understand H5N1 in cats, it will make it harder to combat it in humans," Davis said.

Cats could play a key role in the spreading of H5N1 bird flu — but there is still much we don’t know.

04/20/2025

Elephants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park formed a protective circle around their calves during Monday’s 5.2-magnitude quake, shielding them until the tremors passed.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a herd of African elephants was caught on video running over to protect their young by encircling them during a 5.2 magnitude earthquake.

04/20/2025

A missing 2-year-old boy who wandered seven miles through the rugged Arizona wilderness was found safe, thanks in part to a local ranch dog named Buford.

The rancher traced the boy’s steps and discovered that Buford, an Anatolian Pyrenees who normally patrols his land and wards off coyotes, had escorted the 2-year-old for at least a mile.

04/20/2025

NOW is the time to make Tuffy an "INDOOR ONLY CAT"
Avian influenza found in mammals in 6 Texas counties
Highly pathogenic avian influenza infections have been found in foxes, raccoons, striped skunks and cats recently in six Texas Panhandle counties, according to the state Parks and Wildlife Department. Officials said wildlife rehabilitators should take precautions when taking in animals to prevent the virus' spread.

The virus was found in foxes, raccoons, striped skunks and domestic cats in six counties.

04/18/2025

In South Texas rabies is always just around the corner. Protect your pets:

A raccoon in San Marcos tested positive for rabies, city officials announced Thursday.San Marcos Animal Services received a report of a sick raccoon on April 14