Caring Heart Animal Hospital

06/30/2024

05/18/2024

Happy sweet 16 to our frequent flyer friend Lance! We were honored to help you celebrate your big day and wish you a happy birthday! 💕 ❤️ah

04/08/2024

While we don't have to worry about our pets looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, it is possible they may feel a little out of sorts. Here is another great article:

A Texas A&M vet says the sudden increase in darkness during what should be the middle of the day may be puzzling and disorienting for pets.

04/08/2024

Ever wonder what studies have revealed about animal behavior during an eclipse? Here is an article for those who may be interested!:

Understanding animal reactions to a solar eclipse
April 6, 2024
Kristen Coppock, MA, Associate Editorial Director

A solar eclipse is a rare event that may lead to anomalous behaviors in many species of animals.1 However, veterinary experts say there are precautionary measures that can be taken to keep companion animals safe and free of stress during the eclipse forecasted for Monday, April 8, 2024, in some US states.2,3

Studies based on previous solar eclipses provide insight into potential animal behaviors that may occur during the next event. In one recent study, investigators observed the behaviors of 17 species at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, during a solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, and compared these observations to baseline behaviors shown prior to the meteorological event. The 2020 study’s results found that 75% of these mammals, birds and reptiles were observed exhibiting a behavioral response to the eclipse.1

Unusual behaviors

Notably, the study found a majority of those responses were animals engaging in behaviors that mimicked their evening or nighttime routines. These included Western lowland gorillas, African elephants, giraffes, and Komodo dragons approaching their respective enclosures, and increased movement or activity shown by avian species such as tawny frogmouth, Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, and masked lapwing.1

Investigators concluded that the change in light, and possibly temperature, during the solar eclipse were cues that determined animal behaviors.1 Likewise, veterinarians at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences in College Station, noted in a news release unusual pet behavior during a solar eclipse may be attributed to a disruption of their internal clocks because, like humans, many animals are accustomed to being active during the day and resting at night.2

Apparent anxiety was the second-most common behavioral response to the solar eclipse that was demonstrated in the study at Riverbanks Zoo. Investigators observed Hamadryas baboons and giraffes engaging in coordinated running as well as pacing. Other demonstrations of apparent anxiety included group consolidation around juveniles, and increased vocalization by American flamingoes and rainbow and coconut lorikeets. Investigators found these behaviors associated with apparent anxiety in alignment with previously published observations of wild animals during an eclipse and thus suggested a casual link between anxiety and the meteorological event.2

Pet safety and comfort
Ahead of the next solar eclipse, professionals at the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, a level 1 veterinary trauma center in New York, New York, and Texas A&M clinical professors Kristina Paradowski, DVM, and Isabelle Louge, DVM, provided insights about limiting stress for companion animals and keeping them safe. Their tips, which can be shared with clients, include the following2,3:

Stay calm: Animals are sensitive to human emotions and actions, so remaining composed is important, according to the Usdan Institute.

Keep pets indoors: Crowds, noise and commotion could be stressors for animals, and increased traffic pose a higher risk for accidents and trauma. For these reasons, Paradowski recommended not taking pets to eclipse viewing events.

Maintain a calm environment: Keep lights on and play soothing music to help facilitate a comforting atmosphere. Additionally, a favorite snack can be given to a pet motivated by food, while physical touch such as petting may help others.

Maintain routines: Adhering to regular schedules facilitates senses of normalcy and comfort, which help to mitigate stress or anxiety while an unfamiliar event is occurring.

Check identification: Ensure pets are microchipped and wearing collars with ID tags. Should they become fearful and run off, this precaution may prove invaluable, according to the Usdan Institute.

Takeaway

Lastly, the experts at the institute and Texas A&M do not recommend pets or other animals wear glasses or other eyewear specifically designed to shield them from the eclipse. According to these experts, animals instinctively avoid staring at the sun and there is a lack of research to support pet eye safety measures in the event of a solar eclipse.2,3

References

Hartstone-Rose A, Dickinson E, Paciulli LM, et al. Total eclipse of the zoo: animal behavior during a total solar eclipse. Animals. 2020;10(4):587. doi:10.3390/ani10040587

Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. Pets and the solar eclipse. Texas A&M University. April 5, 2024. Accessed April 5, 2024. https://today.tamu.edu/2024/04/05/pets-and-the-solar-eclipse/

Tips to keep pets safe during the solar eclipse from Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. April 5, 2024.

A Texas A&M vet says the sudden increase in darkness during what should be the middle of the day may be puzzling and disorienting for pets.

03/31/2024

Lola Weisner would like to wish all the clients, patients, and staff that make up our Caring Heart family a wonderful Easter Sunday!!!! ❤️ah

03/17/2024

Happy St. Patty’s Day! ☘️ ❤️ah

02/13/2024

***Delayed opening today due to hazardous road conditions **** We will reopen today at 2:00. Thank you for your understanding and please be safe! May all the doggies have fun frolicking in the snow! ⛄️

12/24/2023

For those who celebrate, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!! (And that Santa fills the stockings whether our patients are naughty sometimes or nice) 😼🙊😜🎅
❤️ah

12/10/2023

What better way to spend your birthday then to go hang out with your doctor and nurses?!😜 Happy birthday Bisou!!!! ❤️ah

11/01/2023

Dogs aren’t the only ones that can have fun with Halloween spirit here!!! Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!🎃👻 https://caringheartanimalhospital.com/

11/01/2023

We love seeing our furry friends all dressed up! It makes our Halloween happy!!!!

10/17/2023

Happy Vet Tech Week to these 4 amazing nurses!!!! We couldn’t provide the care we do without your compassion, dedication, tireless efforts, and skills. We appreciate you!!!! 💕🩺🐶🐾🐈❤️‍🩹😘

10/10/2023

Good news!!! Zoey was found and is safe! 👏❤️

🎉🎉Zoey has been found and reunited! Welcome home Zoey❤️

Lost in Hillsborough, NJ

Area of Long Hill Rd, Montgomery Rd, Zion Rd.

Please do not chase as she is already running from people.

Please call number listed if seen.

09/13/2023

We are lucky to make so many furry friends everyday! Here is Molly hanging with her huggy friend Grace!!! ❤️ah https://caringheartanimalhospital.com/

08/05/2023

Inspirational message for the day 🤗

07/04/2023

Happy Fourth of July!!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎇

06/01/2023

Some hump day cuteness thanks to baby Kallan ❤️ah 🐶 https://caringheartanimalhospital.com/

05/19/2023

Happy birthday to our friend Lance who turned 15 years young today!! 🎈🎉❤️

04/09/2023

Rudy and Tara are ready for the Easter bunny🐰Happy Easter to all who celebrate 🐣🌷 ❤️ah

04/04/2023

If you wear Corgi socks, they will come…. our friend Kody ❤️ah https://caringheartanimalhospital.com/

03/25/2023

A smile to start your weekend 😜

02/02/2023

This past week we celebrated TWO birthdays. First was our friend Lola here. Second was to ourselves!!!! CHAH opened 5 years ago and we are so greatful to our staff and clients for helping us grow. Looking forward to growing older with your pets in the years to come!!! ❤️ah

01/10/2023

Today Bailey celebrates being 14 years young!!! 🎉🎂 Happy birthday to our friend!!!! ❤️🥳❤️ ❤️ah

01/01/2023

Squid would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!!!! Best wishes from all of us for much happiness and HEALTH in 2023 ❤️ ❤️ah

12/23/2022

Niko came prepared with his raincoat on this icy rainy day! He is quite fashionable! ❤️ah

12/14/2022

Happy hump day from our friend Trixie!!!! ❤️ah

11/14/2022

A big thank you to our clients for choosing us (and our staff for their dedication) as one of the best veterinarians in the 2022 Town Topics Readers Choice Awards !!!! We feel honored to be a part of this community! ❤️ah

11/01/2022

🎃 Happy Halloween to all our patients, clients, and staff!! 👻 ❤️ah https://caringheartanimalhospital.com/

10/01/2022

Hopefully Tobi feels better after her surgery last week - her bladder stones developed after months of undetected urinary tract infections which then led to inappropriate urination. Animals hide illness very well which is why we recommend yearly lab screenings. If only they could talk!!! ❤️ah

09/18/2022

Resting this Sunday so we can have this kind of energy Monday morning!!!!! ❤️ah