Important Changes to the U.S. Canine Import Requirements
🧳🚗✈️ As we shared last month, there are some major changes to travel requirements for dogs coming into the United States. Watch the following video as our current Practice Manager, Laura, addresses these changes and answers some of the questions you may ask yourself:
❓ Who does this impact?
❓ What are the changes and when do they take effect?
❓ What documentation do I need to have to travel with my dog?
‼️ If you are planning on traveling out of the country this summer (yes, even just to Canada🇨🇦 or Mexico🇲🇽) be sure to do your research to ensure your pet will be allowed back into the states. Please give yourself plenty of time, several weeks, before travel to ensure ample time to get everything in order with your veterinarian.
☎️ Call the office today at (406) 777-3844 for more information.
⬇️ To learn more about these changes, take a look in the comment section for some additional resources. You can also check out our previous post regarding these changes, featured on the top of our page!
🇺🇸Is the 4th of July your pet’s least favorite holiday?🇺🇸
If you answered "yes", then you should start preparing now - NOT on July 3rd! Today we’re going to discuss various calming aids and how they can be an effective way to manage anxiety. (Look for the 🌟 to see what products we carry in-clinic.)
♥️Pheromone-Based Products
These products mimic the calming pheromones produced by mother cats and dogs. They may not be the most effective option, but could give some calming effect.
🌟Feliway sprays and diffusers
🌟Pheromone collars (not safe for households with children)
👕Anxiety Wraps
These pressure wraps can provide gentle, constant pressure - like a big hug!
🌟ThunderShirt - available in size S, M and L
🦴Calming Treats and Supplements
This is probably the option we get asked the most about, besides prescription medications.
🌟ElleVet Sciences CBD+CBDA products
- Calm & Comfort Chews
- CBD+CBDA Complete Oil
- CBD+CBDA Feline Paste
‼️It is very important when looking for CBD products to look for those including CBDA as well as pay attention to the dosing. Ideally, 2mg/kg is the best to ensure the best effects.
💊Prescription Medications
These medications, prescribed by your veterinarian, can help manage situational anxiety and stress.
🌟Trazodone
🌟Gabapentin (suitable for both dogs and cats)
‼️If your pet needs prescription strength medication to help with anxiety, make sure you are established and up to date on your pet’s annual exam. Most veterinarians will not prescribe medication for a pet they have not seen within the last year.
💡Pro Tip: Don't wait until July 4th or give your pet a new calming aid - do a trial run or two! Any medication or calming treat designed to help reduce anxiety MUST be given at least 1-2 hours PRIOR to the anxiety causing event or it may not work as well as intended, if at all. Because of this, it's a smart idea to do a trial run or two to be sure the product will help y
Supplies You Should Add to Your First Aid Kit with Dr. Teresa Petterson
April is 🧰⛑National Pet First Aid Awareness Month🧰⛑
To wrap it up, Dr. Petterson wanted to to address a few additional things to throw into your emergency kit when you’re hitting the trails this season!
📝Here are a few things that may not come to mind when you are putting together your emergency kit:
- Wire cutters
- Mineral oil
- Benedryl
- Syringe
- Duct tape
- Multi tool/plyers
- Slip lead
- Water bowl
🤔 Interested in learning more about pet first aid? Stay tuned! There may be an opportunity to attend a short seminar put on by Dr. Petterson in the (hopefully) near future. We’re putting feelers out there now, so if this is something that would interest you, comment below!
Stay safe out there! ❤️🐾
NO LARGE ANIMAL ON CALL - FEB 24TH-26TH
‼️ATTENTION LARGE ANIMAL CLIENTS‼️
Dr. Magdi will be on call overnight tonight, February 23rd. Dr. Bull & Dr. Kauffman will be available for emergency consult by phone from 8AM-8PM on Saturday and Sunday.
🚨If an emergency does come up, consider reaching out to another local veterinarian for immediate care.
Have a great weekend!
❓❓❓How many treats are in the jar❓❓❓
Closest guess will win a bag of Welactin® Omega-3 Supplements for Dogs.
There are two different ways to play:
1️⃣📱 Comment below how many treats you think there are
2️⃣🗳 Next time you're in the clinic, write down your name, contact information and what your guess is
Treats will be counted on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH and the winner will be contacted! The winner can then pick up their prize at the clinic!
Happy guessing! 🐾
NO LARGE ANIMAL ON-CALL JAN 19TH-22ND
‼️ATTENTION LARGE ANIMAL CLIENTS‼️
There will be no large animal doctor on call this weekend, January 19th-22nd, from 5:00PM on Friday until 9:00AM Monday morning.
🚨If an emergency does come up, consider reaching out to another local veterinarian for immediate care.
Have a great weekend!
LARGE ANIMAL ON CALL SCHEDULE DEC 15TH-17TH
‼️ATTENTION LARGE ANIMAL CLIENTS‼️
This weekend, our large animal services will only be available Saturday, Dec 16th from 8:00AM-8:00PM. There will be no one on call Saturday night or all day Sunday, Dec 17th.
🚨If an emergency does come up, consider reaching out to another local veterinarian for immediate care.
Have a great weekend!
‼️ATTENTION LARGE ANIMAL CLIENTS‼️
There will be no large animal doctor on call this weekend, Nov 17-19th, from 5:00PM on Friday until 9:00AM Monday morning.
🚨If an emergency does come up, consider reaching out to another local veterinarian for immediate care.
Have a great weekend!
Cattle Vaccinations
Dr. Magdi put together some information to hopefully answer any questions you may have about vaccinating your cattle. Read along and follow the link to the full article to learn more!
"For those of you who have been wondering about vaccinating your cattle, the AABP has a list of vaccines recommended for all dairy and beef cattle. These vaccines protect against two types of diseases: respiratory and clostridial.
• Respiratory Viruses: Vaccines targeting these can often be found together in a single vaccine
- Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBRV), aka Bovine Herpesvirus 1
- Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)
- Parainfluenza Virus (PI3)
- Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)
• Clostridial Diseases: Vaccines targeting these are also often found in one vaccine, which is sometimes known as a “7” or “8-way” vaccine. This vaccine targets several bacteria, Clostridium chauvoei, hemolyticum, septicum, novyi, sordelli, and perfringens B/C/D, which can all cause different diseases if cattle are exposed.
- Technically, tetanus (Clostridium tetani) is not considered a core vaccine for cattle by the AABP, though we do recommend vaccinating for that, too, if you’re banding bulls. Though tetanus is uncommon, it’s very difficult to treat once an animal contracts it.
For more information, you can read the whole article at
https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/education/core-vaccination-guidelines-dairy-and-beef-cattle
Feel free to reach out to your vet for a more personalized vaccination regimen for your cattle.
Our large animal vets can be reached to establish care and help you manage your cattle health at 406-777-3844, ext. 3. Hope this helped provide some clarity! :)"
What is pancreatitis?
With the holidays approaching, we wanted to address a disease that seems to be more prevalent during this time of the year; pancreatitis.
🔍What is pancreatitis?
Painful inflammation of the pancreas that can cause pets to become extremely ill. The pancreas is just below the stomach and produces digestive enzymes to break down dietary fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. To quote the AAHA, “Pancreatitis can lead to dehydration, organ damage, diabetes, insufficient enzyme production, and, in severe cases, death.”
🔍What causes pancreatitis in pets?
Most cases happen when a pet eats a high-fat meal. This is probably why we see more cases around the holidays when the big family meals occur. All of those fatty trimmings and drippings can stimulate a sudden release of lipase, a pancreatic enzyme that helps fat digestion and can cause internal pancreatic digestion, severe inflammation, and tissue damage. Toxins released from damaged tissue cause a systemic inflammatory response and severe illness.
Some breeds, such as mini schnauzers, are more likely to develop this disease due to their pre-existing altered metabolism.
🔍What are the signs of pancreatitis?
Pets with pancreatitis can become extremely sick and may display the following symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Inappetence
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
‼A pet that has clinical signs of vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours or who does not want to eat for that amount of time should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.‼
🔍How can pancreatitis be prevented?
As gastrointestinal upsets of any kind can occur whenever pets eat unusual food, it’s best to stick to their normal diet. At holiday parties, resist giving your pet fatty foods and tell guests to not share their food with him. To help resist temptation further, you can also keep your pet away from the festivities all together. If your guests insist on treating your pet, leave out a bag of low-fat treats or fresh vegetable
Large Animal Emergency Preparedness
Large Animal Emergency Preparedness with Dr. Magdi Niedermeyer
Hello everyone! Thank you for being patient with us as we have more limited large animal coverage during our search for another veterinarian to join our team. This post will hopefully give you some ideas of what to have on hand for your large animal critters and how to know when it is time for a veterinarian to take a look.
For starters, we always recommend having a clean area where your large animals can recover in the case of a wound or trauma. To gently clean small wounds, cotton and either betadine or chlorhexidine scrub are nice to start with. It’s also not a bad idea to have Aluspray (an over-the-counter bandage spray made of antibacterial aluminum) handy for superficial scrapes and bumps; we prefer this to Blu-Kote, which can be caustic, causing more damage to tissue rather than healing! Then, just like you might want Advil for pain, anti-inflammatories for our hooved friends, such as meloxicam for ruminants and pigs or bute/banamine for horses, can be really nice to have in case of emergency. However, these do require a prescription, so you will need to have established care with a vet prior to being able to stock these in your medicine cabinet. In no circumstance can we legally prescribe medications for an animal we haven’t established care with.
For some more specific situations, Simethicone (brand name: Gas-X) is a great thing to have on hand, in addition to banamine, for colicky horses. Injectable Vitamin B can be good to have on hand, too, as it can help perk up ruminants with diarrhea or those that don’t feel like eating while also helping to prevent thiamine deficiency in these cases. People ask about probiotics for all kinds of animals. While probiotics don’t have a lot of scientific research proving they help, it’s unlikely they have serious side effects, and may help, if you want to try them.
Another thing people often like to have on hand are antibiotics. Unfor
Tonight is the night!! 👻🎃💀🧛♂️🧟♀️🕷🕸
Don’t forget to come see us tonight in front of Rocky Mountain Bank with your dressed up pets!
We will be there from 5:30-7:00 with our photo booth and treats for all. See you there!
Are you excited for next Friday?! Cause we are!!
We are officially a week out from our Annual Pet Costume Contest!
👻 🎃 💀 🧛♂️ 🧟♀️ 🕷 🕸
We will be outside of Rocky Mountain Bank in Downtown Stevi next Friday, October 6th from 5:30-7:00 pm. Dress up your pets (of all breeds and sizes!) and bring them by our booth to enter the contest.
Here’s how we’re going to do this!
📷We will take your pet’s picture at our booth
🖼All photos will be posted on our page tomorrow, October 7th
🗳Voting will take place the whole month of October on our page
🧮All votes will be counted Monday, October 30th
🥇🥈Prizes will be awarded to the top two costumes. Owners will be contacted once winners have been selected!
If you don’t already follow us on Facebook, click the link below and be sure to hit that follow button to stay up to date!
https://www.facebook.com/burntforkvetclinic
🐶💬When your dog talks to you, you more than likely know just what they’re saying. But when they’re in pain, they may not want you to know. Earlier this week, we covered osteoarthritis in cats, but how can you tell if it’s affecting your dog? Check out the animation and information below provided by Zoetis to learn more!
📊Osteoarthritis affects about 25% of dogs. It doesn’t matter if the dog is young or old, big or small, purebred or mixed. OA is a disease that cannot be cured. But the good news is that pain can be managed with a prescription course from your veterinarian and help make your dog comfortable.
🦮Just like cats, it can be difficult to decipher if your dog is in pain while they’re in the veterinary office. Your dog is more at ease at home, which makes it easier to notice if they’re acting differently. For that reason, YOU are their best advocate for getting them the relief they need.
Your dog’s pain language is a language of signs. These signs of pain can be physical, such as:
• limping
• hesitation to jump
• slow to rise
• lagging behind on walks.
The signs can also be emotional, such as changes in a dog’s happiness and energy levels.
🗒Documenting changes in both their physical and emotional well-being can help you as the pet owner and your veterinarian identify and understand what your dog is saying about their pain. From there, they can determine an effective treatment plan.
Treatments for OA will generally address the following:
• Inflammatory Pain (NSAIDS)
• Exercise
• Weight control
💊The most fundamental of these treatments is pain management. Most commonly, your veterinarian will prescribe a canine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
‼️It’s important to only use these medicines as prescribed by your veterinarian as some medicines work better together than others and human medicines like aspirin can be toxic to dogs.
🩺The sooner osteoarthritis is diagnosed, the better your d
🪟🐈We all know that cats love the bird’s eye view – jumping up to the window sill for birdwatching or finding that perfect sunny spot. But did you know that when those favorite spots seem out of reach, it could mean they’re showing signs of pain due to osteoarthritis (OA)? Take a look at this animation from Zoetis and read about the changes in behavior that could mean your cat is showing signs of chronic pain.
📊Chronic pain, like that from osteoarthritis, is surprisingly common in cats. Clinical studies have found signs of OA in 61% of cats over the age of six and in 90% of cats over the age of 12. 40% of those cats showed signs of pain.
🐈Recognizing signs of a cat in pain can be difficult because cats hide their discomfort as much as possible. Because you know your cat better than anyone, YOU are the best person to spot changes in their normal behaviors that could be signs of OA pain.
Changes in these everyday behaviors could indicate that they’re in pain:
• How your cat jumps onto a higher surface
• How your cat jumps down from a higher surface
• How your cat climbs up stairs
• How your cat climbs down stairs
• How your cat looks as it runs
• How willing your cat is to chase moving objects
Other signs of a cat in pain include:
• A decrease in overall energy and activity levels
• Less interactive with family members (human or pet)
• Less interested in playing
• Urinating or defecating outside their litter box
• Grooming themselves less
• Licking or chewing a certain spot
• Purring more
• Changes in personality (more irritable or withdrawn)
• Flinching or meowing when being petted or picked up
• Scratching or biting
• Sleeping in a hunched position
🫣Cats hide almost everything, especially pain. Disguising their discomfort is part of their survival instinct. In the exam room, your veterinarian relies on you to report changes in your cat’s behavior seen at home for more accurate diagnoses. Take videos of
Noisy celebrations, especially fireworks, can frighten our pets and put them at risk. Keep your pets safe this Independence Day with the help of our friends at AKC Reunite. Follow these simple pet safety tips to be sure this holiday is a memorable one for all the right reasons.
🏠TIP 1: ESTABLISH A PLACE OF SANCTUARY
Make sure your dog or cat always has access to a comfortable, quiet and safe place to hide. Either a closet, under a piece of furniture or in his crate.
🧸TIP 2: MAKE TOYS AND LONG LASTING TREATS AVAILABLE
Keep toys and long lasting treats in your pet’s safe area to make the area more fun and to provide distractions from loud noises and flashes.
🦮TIP 3: EXERCISE EARLIER IN THE DAY IS KEY
Make time to exercise your pet during daylight hours; then, keep them safely indoors before the fireworks begin.
🎶TIP 4: TURN UP THE MUSIC, BUT NOT TOO LOUD
At dusk, close your windows and curtains and turn on music or the television to muffle the loud noises that accompany social gatherings and the booming thunder from fireworks.
👀TIP 5: WATCH THEIR BODY LANGUAGE
Pets convey fear by shivering, cowering, tucking their tail between the legs, and averting their eyes. Looming over a fearful dog will only make it more anxious; and unless a dog is likely to get hurt it is usually best to leave a fearful dog alone because its behavior when scared is uncertain. And, never punish a pet if they are scared.
🩺If your pet has a demonstrated history of noise phobia, contact your veterinarian. There are helpful calming medications that you can give to your pet an hour or two before the fireworks begin.
📱TIP 6: UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
Make sure your pet’s microchip enrollment information is up to date in case your pet manages to escape.
Click here to learn more: https://www.akcreunite.org/fourthpetsafety/?ct=t%28B2B+Firework+Safety%29&goal=0_c81c781201-f6c2dbf323-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=f6c2dbf323&mc_eid=8b5247c32a
Before you enjoy your weekend get together, remember to not leave your pets are unsupervised around the food. There are foods and ingredients commonly used that can result in illness and even death if your dog consumes even small amounts. Check out the following list of foods to watch out for:
🥩🦴Raw meat, bones, and fish: Raw meat, bones, and fish can pose a choking hazard, cause a blockage and increase the risk of bacterial contamination or parasitic infections in dogs.
✅Cooked meat without seasoning and boneless fish can be safe alternatives when eaten in moderation.
🧅🧄Onions and garlic: Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or in powdered form, can damage a dog's red blood cells and lead to anemia. Symptoms may include weakness, lethargy, pale gums, and an elevated heart rate.
🥑Avocado: Avocado contains a toxin called persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potential pancreatitis in dogs. The pit is also a choking hazard.
🍇Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even small amounts can be toxic and lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and increased thirst and urination.
🍭Xylitol: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free products, such as gum, candy, baked goods, and some peanut butter. It can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Symptoms may include vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure.
🍫Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Consumption can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death.
🍻Alcohol: Alcohol can have a severe impact on dogs. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, and in extreme cases, coma o
🏜Dehydration in dogs occurs when there is an excessive loss of body fluids, particularly water, without an adequate intake to compensate for the loss. Dehydration can be a serious condition and should be addressed promptly.
🌵Causes of Dehydration in Dogs:
- Inadequate water intake.
- Fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, or heatstroke.
- Illness or medical conditions, such as kidney disease and diabetes.
🌵Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:
- Dry gums and sticky saliva
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy and weakness
- Dry nose and mouth
- Decreased urine output or concentrated urine
💦To prevent your dog from becoming dehydrated, make sure they have plenty of access to clean water and allow adequate hydration during exercise. Monitor their overall health and promptly address any signs of illness or abnormalities.
🩺 If you suspect dehydration or your dog's condition worsens, it's essential to consult a veterinarian. They can provide guidance and determine the best course of action based on your dog's specific situation.
Previously, we've covered heatstroke and other summer dangers. This week we're gong to cover a few others and how you can prevent emergency situations.
🌊Today, we're going to talk about water safety. Water safety for dogs is crucial to ensure their well-being and prevent accidents or potential hazards.
Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when it comes to water safety for dogs:
💧Supervision: Never leave your dog unattended around water, whether it's a pool, lake, river, or the ocean.
💧Swimming ability: Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so it's important to assess your dog's swimming ability. If your dog is not a strong swimmer or hasn't had much exposure to water, consider using a doggie life jacket.
💧Introduce gradually: When introducing your dog to water for the first time, start with shallow and calm areas. Let them get comfortable with the sensation of being wet and gradually move to deeper water if they are comfortable and confident.
💧Pool safety: If you have a swimming pool, ensure your dog knows how to safely exit the pool and consider fencing off the pool area to prevent unsupervised access.
💧Know the conditions: Before allowing your dog to swim in natural bodies of water, check for any potential hazards such as strong currents, riptides, or rough waves.
💧Freshwater sources: When swimming in lakes or rivers, be mindful of the water's quality. Some bodies of water may contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or toxins.
💧Hydration: While swimming, ensure your dog has access to fresh drinking water to prevent dehydration. Drinking excessive amounts of pool water or seawater can be harmful, so encourage them to drink clean water.
💧Rinse and dry: After swimming, rinse your dog with fresh water to remove any chlorine, salt, or other chemicals from their fur. Thoroughly dry your dog to prevent skin irritations and infections.
💧Training: Consider basic obedience training that includes commands like "come" and "stay" to
Ask us about our ✨NEW✨ innovative growth and lesion treatment option!
CryoProbe XP
💪Powerful - High power microjet freezes tissue in seconds.
👌Precise - Total precision, even for very small lesions. No damage to healthy tissue!
⏩Quick - Point, freeze, wipe, freeze again. Done!
❌Painless - No pain, no cuts or bleeding, no anesthesia.
✅Perfect - Perfect results with no scarring. Frozen tissue disappears in a few weeks!
Your vet will examine the growth or lesion and ultimately decide if it’s safe to treat with cryosurgery. Call to schedule an appointment today!
Thank you, Dr. Petterson and Finis, for demonstrating this cool new tool!
