You know that cats are special, with their own set of unique quirks. What you are going to see in this video is quite unusual. This is Minnie, a 15 year old Ragdoll. The majority of us with cats would never be able to do this.
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the United States and many other parts of the world. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but heartworms also live in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Because wild species such as foxes and coyotes live in proximity to many urban areas, they are considered important carriers of the disease.
The mosquito plays an essential role in the heartworm life cycle. Adult female heartworms living in an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal, it picks up these baby worms, which develop and mature into “infective stage” larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another dog, cat, or susceptible wild animal, the infective larvae are deposited onto the surface of the animal's skin and enter the new host through the mosquito’s bite wound. Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to develop into sexually mature adult heartworms. - American HW society
Heartworm prevention can cost less the $10 a month.
Below is a video of Microfilaria, which we filmed in clinic recently. You cam see the red cells, "dancing" and if you look close enough you can see the outline of the worms
Celebrate Veterinary Technician Week !
#Liveandhavefun
Help us celebrate National Pet Hero Day! (OK, we made that up) We'd like to recognize those pets that face hardship each day. Whether it is systemic disease, aging, loss of hearing or sight-they live each day to the fullest. Feel free to share a photo of your hero enjoying the moment, ignoring their diagnosis.
Meet Riley, a 12 year old Border Collie, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year. She is being treated with chemo, meds, and supplements, and loving her life on her farm. She thrives on herding her charges and sharpening her agility skills. Cheers to all the GVVC heroes and the wonderful people who care for them!
We have very sad news to report. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our clinic cat, Magic Mike. He showed up at our back door in a snowstorm about 7 years ago. Once we opened that door- GVVC was home. You had to earn Mike's approval, and the easiest way to do that was with treats, and if you didn't provide them fast enough, he'd swat you. He hissed and ran away from every delivery and repair person that crossed our threshold. He tolerated being "loved" by our various staff dogs, always looking at them with an intense look of disdain and boredom on his face. (You cat owners know what I'm talking about). And he loved each of us differently. Amy was the only one who could cut his nails; he'd follow Robin to the bathroom and wait outside the door, share the front desk with Dawn.. He'd begin to haunt Dr Logan for his canned food hours before we closed. And he had a special bromance bond with Dr White. Adam taught him how to climb our walls and where the best hiding spots were. He'd sleep in my office, even with my dogs, curled up in one of their beds or on my lap while I worked. I could go on and on, but I want to thank everyone of our staff for their love and care for him through the years. We will miss you, Magic Mike.
Riot's leave it challenge
Have you seen the videos of toddlers being told to wait to have their treats and the parents walk out of the room? Well, our technician Lea tried it with her dogs. Do you think your dogs can do it, if so try and post the videos below, even if they fail!
April is Heartworm Awareness month. The following video is from one of our patients recently diagnosed with heartworm. If you look closely you can see the microfilaria "swimming" around the center of the circle. The microfilaria circulate in the bloodstream and mature in the arteries around the heart, causing heart and lung disease, sometimes fatal. A simple monthly preventive, given EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR can prevent the disease. Busy schedule? Mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. There are free apps you can download which will send a text message when your pet is due. It costs just pennies a day to prevent. GIVE THE MEDS...PLEASE!!??
We have very sad news to report. One of our Facebook stars, Ten the Standard Poodle, has lost her battle to cancer. Ten and her family have been part of our lives at GVVC for such a long time. Ten lived an extraordinary life, shattering records and dispelling the myth that "pretty dogs" can't be successful as hunting dogs. Ten was also a certified pet therapy dog, bringing her sense of calm to children hospitalized at Hasbro's Children's Hospital. Please join us in wishing her family peace; let them know our thoughts are with them during this challenging time. We will miss you.
Today is National cat day. Even though our cats have us trained very well, they still need a day just for themselves!
What's your dog favorite summer activity? This is Gemini, she LOVES the pond life.
Let's welcome just some of our new friends at GVVC!!
