Sterling Shelter Clinic

Sterling Shelter Clinic Providing HIGH QUALITY - low cost spay/neuter services to privately owned animals, shelters, rescues LOW COST DOES NOT MEAN LOW QUALITY! of Sterling, MA.
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We are committed to providing low cost spay/neuter and other veterinary services to privately owned animals, shelters, rescues, and animal control officers. By bringing your pet/s here to our clinic to be spayed or neutered, you are also helping care for the homeless pets in our shelter. All monies generated from the clinic goes to help the homeless animals in our care! PLEASE READ THE MYTHS ON LO

W COST SPAY NEUTER SERVICES HERE http://sterlingshelterclinic.org/myths-on-low-cost/

Our veterinary clinic is located at the Animal Shelter Inc. We offer many programs for both shelters, rescues, animal control officers as well as the general public. Vaccines and micro-chipping are also available at the time of surgery. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT LIMITED TO INCOME REQUIREMENTS. A valid rabies vaccine is mandatory per state law before or can be administered at the shelter same day before surgery. For more information/questions or to schedule an appointment please email [email protected] or call at 978-422-8449. Here are just some of the programs our clinic offers:

Pediatric Spay/Neuter Program – Established February, 1999 - Our shelter has maintained a 100% compliance rate on spay/neuter of all animals before they leave the shelter. This includes puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks UNLESS there is a MEDICAL necessity that would cause fatal complications or risk the pet's life. Early age spay / neuter is the surgical sterilization of companion animals prior to the conventional age of 6 months. For shelters it can mean 100% sterilization compliance rates, fewer returned animals, and improved staff morale

Spay Your Mama & Neuter Your Daddy– Established January 2001 – our shelter provides low/no cost spaying/neutering for pet owners that have recently surrendered a litter. Pets who enter this program must meet specific criteria for our services. It is our goal to accept the litter (where they will be spayed/neutered and receive any necessary medical prior to adoption), spay the mother (and/or neuter the father) dog/cat so they do not become repeat offenders of continual litters reproducing in our community. Prior to instituting this program, we repeatedly saw multiple litters of puppies/kittens coming from the same household. We have spayed hundreds of dogs/cats that would have otherwise kept delivering puppies/kittens in to our community. IF YOU KNOW OF A PET THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT OUR SHELTER 978-422-8585 or email [email protected]

Rescue Group Assistance – Established 2003 - our shelter clinic provides low cost spay/neuter and medical care for several dozen N.E. Animal organizations that do not have funds or veterinary care available to them. This program allows organizations to adopt out pets maintaining a 100% compliance rate on spay/neuter PRIOR to adoption. To date our clinic has performed thousands of surgeries/treatments and medical procedures for several dozen groups. Additionally, our shelter collects and donates thousands of pounds of pet food and supplies each month for animal welfare organizations in need and less fortunate than ours. Veterinary Training Program - Established January 2005 – Updated program in 2012 - Tufts University 4th year vet students spend one week rotations in our on-site shelter veterinary clinic providing them hands on surgical experience. Over 60 students rotate through this program each year where they perform several dozen spays/neuters and other miscellaneous surgical procedures they would never be permitted to do in a private practice vet hospital. We have the opportunity to educate the students about pet overpopulation problems, pediatric spay/neuter procedures and protocols (practiced in few veterinary hospitals/shelters throughout all of the United States), shelter medicine and herd health/management. New graduates will leave school with a sense of accomplishment and passion and we hope "give back" to the homeless animals in their community in the future. Many of our externs have gone on to specialize and focus in shelter medicine and are currently working with shelters nationally! In addition, many of the students have gone on to develop official Shelter Medicine programs in their own Colleges which proves that this program is extremely beneficial. Feline Feral Fix – Established 2010 – offering low cost spay/neuter for feral cats. Ferals lives are short and usually harsh. They struggle to find food and water in an environment filled with the constant threats of disease, starvation, cruelty and predation. They are the abandoned, the lost and the wild. The number of feral cats in the U.S. is estimated to be in the tens of millions. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations using outdated methods, including lethal elimination or relocation. Not only are some of these methods horribly cruel, they are also highly ineffective. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the only proven humane and effective method to manage feral cat colonies. For more information/questions or to schedule an appointment please call 978-422-8449 or email [email protected]

Spay – 4 – M.A.. – Spring 2013 – our on-site veterinary clinic offers low cost spay/neuter for friendly, healthy dogs and cats to the public. Vaccination and micro-chipping are optional, but to participate in the program, pets must receive spay or neuter services. Most importantly - This program is NOT limited by income requirements. The clinic can discuss options for pricing on other vaccines/tests – a valid RABIES vaccine is mandatory per state law before or at the shelter before we surgery. Our staff veterinarian has the right to refuse surgery if the pet is aggressive/sick. For more information/questions or to schedule an appointment please call 978-422-8449 or email [email protected]. Please NOTE: This program is NOT designed to replace your current annual veterinary annual exam and general care.

CALLING ALL VET TECHS FOR THE PURRFECT POSITION!$500 Retention Bonus at 6 months!! - CURRENTLY 4 DAY WORK WEEK (may chan...
05/30/2023

CALLING ALL VET TECHS FOR THE PURRFECT POSITION!

$500 Retention Bonus at 6 months!! - CURRENTLY 4 DAY WORK WEEK (may change to be 5 days as staff is added) - lots of additional perks!

Pay up to $30/hr based on experience!!

NO NIGHTS - NO WEEKENDS - NO HOLIDAYS - NO EMERGENCIES :)

WE ARE DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR THE IDEAL CANDIDATE/S TO JOIN OUR FAMILY FOR A FULL TIME POSITION BUT WILL CONSIDER P/T IF NEEDED.

WITHOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL TECHS WE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE OUR CLINIC....PLS HELP US SPREAD THE WORD AND ENCOURAGE ANY TECHS IN YOUR LIFE TO APPLY.... WITHOUT ADDING THESE MUCH NEEDED AND SUPER IMPORTANT TECHS (AND WITH THE LACK OF AVAILABLE TECHS AFTER COVID) sadly this leaves tens of thousands of animals without the important vet care they need and deserve.

Job Description

Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling MA is seeking a motivated, compassionate, and reliable Surgical Veterinary Technician for our on-site high volume spay/neuter clinic.

Our clinic focuses on high volume, high quality spay/neuter surgeries and caring for the animals that come through our shelter. We provide vet care for our shelter's pets, assist multiple shelters/rescues, ACO’s and provide low cost s/n services for our community. We offer additional procedures/vaccines as needed. To learn more about us, please visit our clinic website at www.sterlingshelterclinic.org and our shelter website at www.sterlingshelter.org.

For serious candidates, we will schedule working interviews where we ask you to spend a few hours in the clinic. This will give you a good idea of what the job entails and see the surgical flow from beginning to end. This allows our clinic staff to see your skills and allows you to work with our doctor and clinic staff to see just how rewarding this position can be for the right candidate.

Candidates MUST have veterinary technician skills (preference given to those with surgical experience). This position requires a tech background with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Flexibility and adaptability will be invaluable as job duties may fluctuate from day to day and even moment to moment. The ability to communicate clearly, assertively and effectively with staff and clientele is essential. Surgical experience includes: preparing animals for surgery, intubation/extubation, and monitoring anesthesia. The ideal candidate will demonstrate self-initiative and the capacity to work independently. The technician must be able to objectively evaluate clinic logistics and implement working solutions in real time. This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common animal health diseases; their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and basic preventative health care recommendations.

TECH RESPONSIBILITIES

Greet clients upon intake, ensure surgical consent forms are complete
Administer sedation/induction drugs to surgical patients, intubate/extubate patients, maintain controlled substance log, monitor anesthesia, dispense medication, communicate with clients (specific duties rotate daily)
Restrain animals for physical exams and medical services/procedures
Discharge patients, discuss after care with clients, process payments for invoices
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks
Aid in maintaining appropriate inventory levels
Work with shelter staff regarding appropriate care of shelter animals
Ensure public receives customer service that is courteous, respectful and professional
Actively promote spay/neuter services and educate clients on responsible pet care
Represent the clinic in a professional, courteous manner
Maintain a positive attitude

Preference Given to:

CVT's or candidates with on the job training (certificates/licenses NOT required as long as you have the experience) with surgical experience.
Associate’s degree OR certification from an AVMA accredited college level in veterinary technology or Certified Veterinary Technician program is a bonus.
Prior experience with domestic animals working in a humane organization or shelter setting.

Job Type: Full-time IDEALLY

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan

Schedule:

Day shift
Monday - Tuesday - Thursday and Friday (currently one Wednesday a month)
No nights No weekends No holidays
Overtime

Application Question(s):

What sort of experience do you have in a vet clinic/hospital?
Do you have experience as a surgical veterinary technician

Education:

High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

Veterinary technician experience: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

Veterinary Technician Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person
We want to talk to you if you have any of these qualifications...

Job Type: Full-time currently 4 days a week and 1 week a month 5 days (once we are fully staffed will be 5 days)

LOTS of great Benefits and perks~ to learn more pls apply by emailing your resume to [email protected]

And pls pls help us spread the word so we can continue to fill the much needed demand for our services.

Shop now and make a big difference! Find great coupons and shop at your favorite stores and they donate a % to our furry...
02/07/2023

Shop now and make a big difference! Find great coupons and shop at your favorite stores and they donate a % to our furry friends AND you get great discounts!

goodshop.com donates money to your favorite non-profit or school when you search the web, shop online & dine out!

IMMEDIATE OPENING/SHERE WE GROW(AGAIN)…. Part 2 DescriptionCore Responsibilities· feeding/cleaning and medicating as nee...
12/01/2022

IMMEDIATE OPENING/S

HERE WE GROW(AGAIN)…. Part 2

Description
Core Responsibilities

· feeding/cleaning and medicating as needed
· Actively engage members of the public from the moment they arrive
· Interact and spend time with the animals in our care in order to facilitate good matches
· Provide professional, compassionate, stellar customer service to all who work, visit, call, email, volunteer and donate
· Possess knowledge of animal behavior and training to provide options to customers
· Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills
· Use good judgment and opportunities to educate, approve or deny adoptions, remain calm in difficult situations;
· create solutions to meet the needs of the customer and the organization.
· Maintain excellent knowledge of and communicate all standard shelter medical procedures, vaccines, preventatives,
· behavior and training of both dogs and cats; retail products and why/how they are helpful in adjusting a new dog or cat
· Effectively communicate and work well with others
· Display strong organizational skills and follow through on job assignments
· Provide a compassionate and humane environment: by demonstrating empathy and professionalism

Job duties

· Maintain Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs)
· Assist with maintaining inventory, merchandizing and pricing retail
· Ability to act independently and make decisions that adhere to SOPs

Skills

· Handle dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, temperaments and needs safely and appropriately
· Keep all adoptions areas clean and organized
· Assist with cleaning of and care of animals as needed
· Work with staff and volunteers to provide animals and visitors with a safe, clean and pleasant experience
· Monitor health of animals and rapidly identify any health issues and report to Veterinary Staff or supervisor
· Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
· Excellent customer service and sales
· Maturity, good judgment and professionalism
· Compassion and empathy for animal and human clients
· Ability to work individually and on a team, multi-task and self-start
· Ability to remain calm and empathic in stressful situations
· Proficient in computers, Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, Pet Point, if applicable.

We are accepting applications/resumes for (2) FT/PT kennel/office staff members to join our growing family as Animal Care Specialists and adoption counselors.

Also includes, feed, clean, disinfect, kennels and cages. As time allows play with the animals, provide companionship, and observe behavioural changes that could indicate illness or injury.

If you have any experience in these fields you could be our ideal fit!especially if you’ve worked in any type of Boarding kennels, pet stores, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, clinics, stables, laboratories, aquariums, or zoological parks.

All staff look after the basic needs of animals, but more experienced staff may be asked to take on more responsibilities, such as helping the director with projects or working in the clinic (if you have the background) administrative duties, such as keeping records on the animals, answering questions from the public, answering phones, reviewing medical care, educating visitors about pet health, and screening adopters, setting appointments, selling products to pet owners, and identify problems that may require veterinary attention.

Sound like a job you can get out of bed every day knowing your making a difference saving lives and helping thousands of animals yearly❤️all while getting paid!

If you are interested in applying PLEASE EMAIL RESUME TO [email protected] or fax 978-422-8574. NO walk in applications please.

TO VERIFY WE RECEIVED YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE DO NOT POST OR MESSAGE IT ON FACEBOOK (unfortunately when we posted the last time we were getting a lot of messages from ppl who were interested but didn’t send a resume or any type of application so it made it hard to connect with ppl 😢🫢)

We review the applications and schedule working interviews so you can learn about our shelter and how we operate and vice versa👍😊

Pls share and save- happy thanksgiving
11/25/2022

Pls share and save- happy thanksgiving

With holidays around the corner, make sure you are super careful with your holiday decorations please!

Job DescriptionLOOKING TO HIRE A P/T KENNEL / OFFICE PERSON! Here we grow again.... Our ideal candidate is professional,...
10/20/2022

Job Description
LOOKING TO HIRE A P/T KENNEL / OFFICE PERSON! Here we grow again.... Our ideal candidate is professional, on time, outgoing personality, can talk to visitors, learns on the fly and has a positive energy and attitude to join our amazing hard working team. Weekend flexibility is a must to cover shifts as needed (the shelter is only open Saturdays for adoptions but we need to plan staff to feed/clean/do any medications). Could lead to a F/T position. Priority given to candidates with animal related background/s (vet clinics/kennels/boarding/grooming etc). Salary TBD.
You can see our hours and all other info on our website www.sterlingshelter.org
If you are interested in applying pls send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] (NO CALLS PLEASE and pls do not reply on Facebook - we only check social media as time allows) or fax to us at 978-422-8574

In celebration of National Vet Tech Week, OUR STAFF would like to thank all of our present/past and future veterinary te...
10/18/2022

In celebration of National Vet Tech Week, OUR STAFF would like to thank all of our present/past and future veterinary technicians (and those throughout the world) for all you do for pets and their owners. Without you, veterinary medicine would not be what it is tod​ay! Thank you just doesn't seem like enough😍

Who would've thought our little shelter in Sterling would be featured on the front page of tomorrows Wall Street Journal...
10/13/2022

Who would've thought our little shelter in Sterling would be featured on the front page of tomorrows Wall Street Journal - our Koi rescue has apparently gotten some attention! https://www.wsj.com/articles/koi-pond-fish-rescue-pandemic-pet-11665670009?st=gvkahevefhhfbg8&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&fbclid=IwAR1yfreHtyiP7PhO-ms43-b1EMVMrzIxWJdwqT9QWBpG9W8Tq13KY2D70hk

Some homeowners installing ponds got more commitment than they bargained for; ‘You’ve got to worry about putting it in your will.’

Thank  you for your review 🙂 For all our supporters PLEASE PLEASE take a minute and post your review (AND PIX) ON THIS S...
10/12/2022

Thank you for your review 🙂 For all our supporters PLEASE PLEASE take a minute and post your review (AND PIX) ON THIS SITE https://greatnonprofits.org/org/animal-shelter-inc-aka-sterling-shelter . - WE NEED 10 REVIEWS TO BE RATED #1 (not in the comments section below)

nikkijpeters - We cannot say enough good things about Sterling Animal Shelter! We adopted our puppy from them last year and he’s grown into a wonderful dog. We love all the great things they do and highly recommend them for your next furry family member.

HELP!!!! OUR FURRY FRIENDS SURE ARE MESSY... we are in urgent need of PAPER TOWELS - we could NEVER have enough. We go t...
10/11/2022

HELP!!!! OUR FURRY FRIENDS SURE ARE MESSY... we are in urgent need of PAPER TOWELS - we could NEVER have enough. We go through cases of them.... from staff and visitors washing hands, to cleaning windows or picking up a "present or two" the pups left us 😲we are CONSTANTLY using paper towels. NOW both the shelter and our on-site vet clinic BOTH need them. At this rate maybe we should considering buying stock in paper towels 💡 😍 👍 Check out our Amazon wishlist at https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/2FF16KPH9KI3I we aren't picky about the brand/size or anything else! Thank you from all your friends at the shelter with 2 legs and 4 🥰

Our feline friends are putting out an urgent request - as we have some upcoming kitty transports (watch our pets for ado...
10/10/2022

Our feline friends are putting out an urgent request - as we have some upcoming kitty transports (watch our pets for adoption page).
They're in need of NON clumping cat litter - cheap stuff (clay non clumping is cheap).
Paper towels
Old newspapers
HE (high energy) liquid laundry detergent
and misc. items from our Amazon Wishlist https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/2FF16KPH9KI3I/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl
Can you help us keep our furry felines fabulous?

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Pls share with pet owner/s :) keeping your furry friends safe this fall.
09/01/2022

Pls share with pet owner/s :) keeping your furry friends safe this fall.

Share these back-to-school pet safety tips with your community!

I thought our adopters/shelter supporters might be interested :) Learn more at https://www.nationwidepetconnect.com/seni...
08/03/2022

I thought our adopters/shelter supporters might be interested :) Learn more at https://www.nationwidepetconnect.com/seniorpet/

Aged to Perfection - Senior pets are special. Show them why for a chance to win big!
The joy that senior pets bring is indescribable. The time you’ve spent together forms a unique bond. From their unconditional love to the mutual understanding when they give you the look, your senior pets deserve to be celebrated. Nationwide® wants to celebrate with you the beauty that is our senior pets.

Submit your favorite photo of your furry friend today to be entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon* gift card.
Win Big! By submitting a photo of your senior pet, you will have the chance to win a $100 Amazon* gift card.

The joy that senior pets bring is indescribable. The time you’ve spent together forms a unique bond. From their unconditional love to the mutual understanding when they give you the look, your senior pets deserve to be celebrated. Nationwide® wants to celebrate with you the beauty that is our sen...

08/02/2022

Submit your rating and write a review for Animal Shelter Inc aka Sterling Shelter. Share your experience and help others learn about this Sterling nonprofit organization!

07/19/2022

Heartworm Season is here.....HAVE YOU HAD YOUR DOG/S HEARTWORM TESTED THIS SEASON? IF NOT - PLEASE DO! The average cost to TREAT a dog with painful rounds of injections could EASILY cost you several THOUSANDS of dollars (all from 1 mosquito bite!) OR you can save that money and simply give your dog/s an edible pill every month to protect your furry family members (medication is generally weight based and averages about $10-$20'ish a month for these pills to protect your furry family member/s).

Did You Know? More than one million pets in the U.S. have heartworm disease, despite available protection?!?!?! Keep your pet/s safe this season (we recommend your pet/s be on HW preventative year round.... but at a MINIMUM April - November MONTHLY).

Heartworm preventative is Highly Efficacious - it works for and against MANY things that can harm our four legged friends, each pill is formulated with active ingredients proven to be efficacious against fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms and more. So ONE pill covers many things that can harm our furry friends!

Affordably Priced
Effective protection doesn’t have to be expensive. We offer the same protection as other products at the best value for your pet/s.

To purchase Heartworm protection for YOUR dog/s - your dog/s MUST have a NEGATIVE Heartworm test. Questions? [email protected]

HOW TO HOUSE TRAIN YOUR DOG IN 7 DAYS - A FREE DOWNLOAD BOOK (if you have a kindle or audio books acct) or even paperbac...
06/29/2022

HOW TO HOUSE TRAIN YOUR DOG IN 7 DAYS - A FREE DOWNLOAD BOOK (if you have a kindle or audio books acct) or even paperback is only $10 https://www.amazon.com/.../B07RS9.../ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0...
SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IT COVERS (most important crate training is the best way to properly house train your pooch no matter what age - we sell crates and crate kits here at the shelter - you can buy them much cheaper than the pet stores (100% benefits OUR shelter pets and programs) and come with lots of optional "side items" from harnesses/stain and odor remover/bowls/treats/toys etc....

Pls share if you see something PLS SAY SOMETHING! It is legal to break a window for a pet or person in a hot car…
06/28/2022

Pls share if you see something PLS SAY SOMETHING! It is legal to break a window for a pet or person in a hot car…

❤️❤️❤️
06/01/2022

❤️❤️❤️

04/26/2022
04/20/2022

URGENT - pls take a minute to Help Animals in the FY2023 House Budget! Our organization and others throughout the state - We AND THE ANIMALS - need your help on two issues being debated next week in the House budget!

Ask Representative Kilcoyne to co-sponsor amendment #1031 to help cats and dogs, and oppose amendment #545 to allow hunting on Sundays.

Help dogs and cats —Support Amendment #1031 (SPECIFICALLY AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE SPAY/NEUTER AND BASIC VET CARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES PETS)

This amendment would ensure the Massachusetts Animal Fund can fund spaying, neutering, and vaccinations for animals in need in the Commonwealth! This budget amendment filed by Rep. Ted Philips, would allocate $100,000 from the state budget for the Fund. Already in 2022, the Fund has dispersed over 670 spay/neuter vouchers to residents in need.

This Fund benefits YOUR community — 86% of the Commonwealth’s municipalities participated in the program by requesting vouchers through their local animal control officer (ACO) for residents who have no other opportunity to provide their animal with sterilization or vaccination services.

Prevent Sunday Hunting—Oppose Amendment #545

For wildlife and nature enthusiasts, mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders, trail runners, bird-watchers, and families and their companion animals, Sunday provides an invaluable one-day respite during hunting season to enjoy the safety and serenity of the state’s natural resources. Amendment #545 filed by Rep. Straus would allow bow hunting for deer, including on Sundays; traditionally understood by the public to be the one day a week that individuals and families can be in the woods safely during hunting season.

The debate on the House budget begins April 25, so time is of the essence!

Take action!
1. Contact and urge Representative Meg Kilcoyne at (617) 722-2460 with a request to co-sponsor amendment #1031 and OPPOSE amendment #545. If your representative’s information does not show up above, visit www.wheredoivotema.com to find out who represents you.

2. After calling, please follow up with an email!
3. PLS SHARE with others

Email [email protected] with any questions or for more information.

We still have space available for cat spays/neuters.
03/23/2022

We still have space available for cat spays/neuters.

03/21/2022

Top 10 Pet Toxins☠ of 2021😲 - PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS🙏

Every year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) compiles its data from the calls received about pets exposed to toxins and releases the top 10 categories of potential poisons.

In 2021, APCC saw a 22% increase in call volume. They’ve grouped the over 400,000 cases they assisted with into the following categories, starting with the most frequent.

PLS KEEP THE POISON # somewhere safe so if your pet/s get in to something and YOU need to call someone for help....APCC is available to support veterinarians treating pets for suspected poisonings and can be reached on their 24-hour hotline (888) 426-4435.

03/08/2022

Time to announce another Voucher Day!

Do you live near Sterling MA and need help getting your cat or dog fixed?*

We are having a Voucher Day in Sterling on March 30th, 2022!

Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, MA is working with Mass Animal Fund and local animal control officers to provide FREE Spay/ Neuter for cats and dogs owned by low-income MA residents!

Email [email protected] today to apply for a spot!

03/03/2022

A man in Ukraine is refusing to abandon the 400 animals at his rescue. He says he'd rather die than leave them behind.

02/16/2022

URGENT SPREAD THE WORD TO ANY DOG OWNERS! XYLIITOL IS FOUND MOST OFTEN IN SUGAR FREE ITEMS LIKE GUM!!!!!

So how do you protect your dog from xylitol … whatever that is exactly?

What Is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables that we love to eat. In our food, it’s used as a sweetener and is often referred to as a sugar alcohol. It’s a great sugar substitute for people with diabetes since it looks and tastes like sugar but has 40% fewer calories.

It’s also good for our teeth.

Thanks to its low glycemic index and dental benefits, xylitol has become increasingly popular over the last decade. That means most people have items with xylitol in them at home.

And that’s all the more reason to be aware of it and why you need to keep it away from your dog.
Why Is Xylitol Toxic To Your Dog?

It’s all about insulin. In both humans and dogs, the pancreas controls the level of sugar in the blood. It does this by releasing insulin in response to rising glucose in the bloodstream.

Here’s where the danger lies…

Humans absorb xylitol slowly so it has no measurable effect on insulin production. But it’s different with dogs.

When a dog eats xylitol, it gets rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and the body starts producing large amounts of insulin. That’s because the body thinks it has ingested glucose. This rapid release of insulin can trigger a significant decrease in the blood sugar level of your dog (hypoglycemia). And it can happen quickly, within 10 to 60 minutes.

How much xylitol does your dog need to eat to be at risk? Studies show that the dose that can cause hypoglycemia is more than 0.1 g/kg. The more your dog eats, the higher the risk of liver failure. And if left untreated, hypoglycemia can be life-threatening to your dog. So can the effects on the liver.
Symptoms And Treatment

There are certain things you can look for if you’re concerned about xylitol and hypoglycemia. The symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include:

Vomiting
Decreased activity
Depression
Weakness
Staggering
Loss of coordination
Seizures

IF YOU THINK YOUR DOG HAS EATEN xylitol, rub maple syrup on your dog’s gums to help increase your dog’s blood sugar and then head to your vet right away. YOU CAN ALSO CALL ANIMAL POISONING HOTLINE -ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center - 24-hour veterinary diagnostic and treatment hotline: 888-426-4435 (THIS IS A GOOD NUMBER TO HAVE ON THE FRIDGE WHEN YOU NEED IT!)

Canine herbalist Rita Hogan also recommends the following supplements to help protect the liver. You need to administer them right away and for 1 month afterwards:

SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine) – give 85 mg for every 15 pounds of body weight right away.
Milk thistle – start with tincture to get it to absorb quickly. Within an hour of exposure give 10 mg for every 15 pounds. Continue with this for 4-6 weeks. Give 15 ml for every 30 pounds, 2 times daily. You can give this in powdered form. Milk thistle contains lignins that protect the liver.

Turmeric is an antioxidant that helps filter the blood and remove toxins. It works well with milk thistle extract after you regulate your dog’s blood sugar. The curcumin in turmeric is hard for your dog to absorb if it’s given by itself. Combine turmeric with a healthy oil like MCT oil to increase absorption. Start with about ¼ to ½ tsp, depending on the size of your dog.

Your vet will do an exam with blood tests to determine what the best treatment is. This is usually based on how much xylitol your dog ate, how long ago and any other medical concerns.

Next you have to start re-regulating blood sugar levels. This may include giving glutathione, a protein made up of amino acids and a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione will give the liver a boost, allowing it to better detoxify after the xylitol.

Careful monitoring of blood levels until they return to normal is really important.

The issue with xylitol poisoning is that liver failure can develop up to 3-4 days after you have your dog treated for low blood sugar. It’s thought that this is from the stress on the liver when the blood sugar drops. That’s why you want to make sure you continue to cleanse and support the liver even after you bring your dog home.
Where Xylitol Is Hiding In Your Home

Your best defense against xylitol as a dog owner is knowing which products have it as an ingredient. Read the labels on your food and common household products.

Here’s a list of common household items and popular foods containing xylitol:
Medications

Nasal sprays
Vitamins
Fiber supplements
Compounded medications
Cough drops

Dental Health Products

Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss
Chewing gum and mints
Pet toothpaste (what!?)

Personal Care Items

Baby wipes and diapers
Nose and face wipes
Makeup and makeup remover

Foods

Drink powders
Instant coffee
BBQ sauce and ketchup
Candy and chocolates
Peanut butter, jam, pancake syrup
Baked goods
Pudding

Keeping Xylitol Away From Your Dog

As a dog owner, the number one thing you need to do is keep a close eye on the ingredient lists of products and foods you keep in the house.

And keep those things out of your dog’s reach!

To limit potentially toxic xylitol exposure to your dog, you can avoid it altogether. Despite xylitol being extremely toxic to dogs, it seems to be popping up all over the place. So that can make avoiding it very difficult.

Thankfully, you can still take precautions to prevent your dog from eating anything with xylitol.

Make sure that all products are safely stored out of your dog’s reach.
Start checking for xylitol when you’re out shopping for yourself – and don’t buy those products.
If you’re the DIY doggie dentist, make absolutely sure that you NEVER use human toothpaste. Use natural pet toothpaste (or make your own).

Every dog owner knows that dogs can be super sneaky. They have a savvy way of sniffing out even the most well-hidden treat, toy, or anything else they think will be tasty. Making sure that xylitol is either safely stored away or completely removed from your home is the best way to prevent your dog from getting into it.

PLS DISCUSS WITH YOUR VET and make sure the entire family knows what is and isn't safe before the dog gets it....

Sadly years ago one small piece of gum put one of the police dogs (performing at one of our events) in ICU for days before he was healthy enough to go home. ONE tiny stick...... :(

02/15/2022

Learn the symptoms and treatments for ice melt ingestion in pets. Plus, discover pet-friendly alternatives to melting snow and ice.

Address

17 Laurelwood Road
Sterling, MA
01564

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19784228449

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STERLING SHELTER’S ON-SITE LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC

We are committed to providing low cost spay/neuter and other veterinary services to privately owned animals, shelters, rescues, and animal control officers. By bringing your pet/s here to our clinic to be spayed or neutered, you are also helping care for the homeless pets in our shelter. All monies generated from the clinic goes to help the homeless animals in our care! LOW COST DOES NOT MEAN LOW QUALITY! PLEASE READ THE MYTHS ON LOW COST SPAY NEUTER SERVICES HERE http://sterlingshelterclinic.org/myths-on-low-cost/ Our veterinary clinic is located at the Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, MA. We offer many programs for both shelters, rescues, animal control officers as well as the general public. Vaccines and micro-chipping are also available at the time of surgery. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT LIMITED TO INCOME REQUIREMENTS. A valid rabies vaccine is mandatory per state law before or can be administered at the shelter same day before surgery. For more information/questions or to schedule an appointment please email [email protected] or call at 978-422-8449. Here are just some of the programs our clinic offers:

Pediatric Spay/Neuter Program – Established February, 1999 - Our shelter has maintained a 100% compliance rate on spay/neuter of all animals before they leave the shelter. This includes puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks UNLESS there is a MEDICAL necessity that would cause fatal complications or risk the pet's life. Early age spay / neuter is the surgical sterilization of companion animals prior to the conventional age of 6 months. For shelters it can mean 100% sterilization compliance rates, fewer returned animals, and improved staff morale Spay Your Mama & Neuter Your Daddy–

Established January 2001 – our shelter provides low/no cost spaying/neutering for pet owners that have recently surrendered a litter. Pets who enter this program must meet specific criteria for our services. It is our goal to accept the litter (where they will be spayed/neutered and receive any necessary medical prior to adoption), spay the mother (and/or neuter the father) dog/cat so they do not become repeat offenders of continual litters reproducing in our community. Prior to instituting this program, we repeatedly saw multiple litters of puppies/kittens coming from the same household. We have spayed hundreds of dogs/cats that would have otherwise kept delivering puppies/kittens in to our community. IF YOU KNOW OF A PET THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT OUR SHELTER 978-422-8585 or email [email protected] Rescue Group Assistance – Established 2003 - our shelter clinic provides low cost spay/neuter and medical care for several dozen N.E. Animal organizations that do not have funds or veterinary care available to them. This program allows organizations to adopt out pets maintaining a 100% compliance rate on spay/neuter PRIOR to adoption. To date our clinic has performed thousands of surgeries/treatments and medical procedures for several dozen groups. Additionally, our shelter collects and donates thousands of pounds of pet food and supplies each month for animal welfare organizations in need and less fortunate than ours.

Feline Feral Fix – Established 2010 – offering low cost spay/neuter for feral cats. Ferals lives are short and usually harsh. They struggle to find food and water in an environment filled with the constant threats of disease, starvation, cruelty and predation.

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