All things Paws

05/26/2022

11/24/2021

It’s SPCA Tip Tuesday

Thanksgiving is this week! We are all super thankful for our pets and we may even want to treat them to a Thanksgiving feast. While you share with the fur members of the family, keep in mind that not all foods are safe for pets. Here are the safe, and unsafe Thanksgiving foods to keep in mind.

10/04/2021

We are reallllllly struggling with fosters right now and adoptions are excruciatingly slowed down. Luz was dropped off for a spay and it was determined she will be giving birth soon. She is one of 10 dogs in boarding due to lack of fosters, and we cannot send her back to boarding for delivery.

Can anyone please help Foster Luz, or one of the others without a foster?

09/28/2021

Recalled items cannot be sold but there is nothing against the Boppy lounger being donated to an animal shelter. They may not be able to use them, it is on them to decide if they can accept and use a recalled item.

Is it safest to have them all destroyed? Technically yes. But it isn’t unlawful to offer them to an animal shelter, it’s just a good idea to ask if they will be able to use them first.

“CPSC Resellers Handbook which states: “Section 19(a)(2) of the CPSA prohibits any person from “sell[ing], offer[ing] for sale, manufactur[ing] for sale, distribut[ing] in commerce, or import[ing]” a product subject to a manufacturer recall that was announced by the Commission. 15 U.S.C. § 2068(a)(2).” (emphasis added)”

09/14/2021

09/06/2021

07/01/2021

https://fearfreepets.com/fear-free-pet-sitter-certification-program-overview/

This course equips pet sitters with a scientifically sound knowledge base in animal body language, behavior and training basics, enrichment, and more.

06/16/2021

06/01/2021

Any pet lovers interested in pet sitting? My availability is running too low to accept most inquiries, as well as a few inquiries outside of my service area (Stephens city, Shawnee land, etc). Please DM if interested!

02/17/2021

Welcome 6 new faces to the Wi******er SPCA family! They came to us from our friends Martinsville Henry County SPCA in Martinsville, VA. They are all altered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea-treated, microchipped, and combo tested. They will all be available as soon as their behavioral assessments are completed. Welcome
Miah, Eskimo, Gracie, Martha May Whovier, Willow, and Hoss, we can't wait to find you a perfect home.

02/07/2021

With predicted snowfall of 12 or more inches of snow, residents need to ensure their pets are kept safe.

If your pets (dogs or cats) are outdoors 24/7, consider bringing them in for the duration of the storm. If it is not possible to do so, you need to ensure the safety and comfort of your pet while outside. If you neglect to do so, you're risking fines, criminal charges, and the confiscation of your pet(s).

You need to ensure your pets have access to appropriate shelter, plenty of food as they burn calories to keep warm, and fresh clean water. Water allows pets to maintain their body temperature during ALL types of weather.

If you have concerns about pets being left outdoors during inclimate weather, please call us at (304)-258-6363 so we can ensure their safety.

Stay safe, and ensure your pets are too.

02/07/2021

While you may enjoy running around with your furry friends in the snow, they cannot be neglected from proper shelter. In 2020, the General Assembly enacted additions to animal shelter laws. Animals being kept outside in temperatures under 33 degrees cannot be tethered and adequate shelter must be provided. To learn more about sheltering requirements visit: https://www.winchesterpolice.org/news/animal-shelter-requirements-cold-temperatures

11/30/2020

❌ PLEASE LET THEM BE ❌
The vast majority of these rawhide products and treats come from China.
Their journey starts with the hides being soaked in a toxic sodium sulphide to remove the hair and fat. More chemicals are used in order to split the hide into layers which is then washed with hydrogen peroxide to give the white "pure" look and remove the rancid smell.
Now comes the pretty festive colours and the glue to form cute shapes.
They regularly cause intestinal blockages and choking. The chews go slippery when wet and are near impossible to get hold of to save a choking dog.
Please be safe with your dogs!

11/14/2020

Thanksgiving is around the corner!! Here is a list of foods that ARE NOT good for them.

Remember if you feed them pumpkin from a can, make sure it's PURE PUMPKIN not Pumpkin Mix !!! That could be deadly for your pet. So read the labels :)

10/14/2020

Putting this on my fridge.

05/28/2020

‼️‼️ careful with your smushy nose babies in the sun!

A picture is worth a thousand words

Share this one with your clients so they have a better understanding of the struggles for a brachycephalic pet.

Image credit: International Canine Behaviorists

02/29/2020

🏃🏽‍♀️🐾

02/11/2020

Careful letting your critters out at night! It’s SKUNK SEASON 🦨

02/08/2020

Running to the weekend like..

02/01/2020

Anyone know local businesses that make dog biscuits?! Asking for a friend Erin Padilla

02/01/2020

Anyone deal with chronic ear infections!? A HUGE PAIN, especially for our long haired dogs with longgg ears. Long ears can block the air access that dry them out, as well as capture moisture in the ear ca**l which becomes the perfect petri dish for bacteria and yeast. Dogs’ ears are L shaped so don’t worry too much if you need to get your finger in the ca**l to clean it out well, it’s hard to hurt something important. BUT it’s always possible you’re just pushing the wax/debris further down into an inaccessible area. This image is how I recommend cleaning ears. Most important is an ear cleaner that “antimicrobial“ “antifungal”, and with a DRYING AGENT. The whole point is to get the moisture out and keep the ears dry. So if your cleaner does not include a drying agent/ingredient or your pet likes to go swimming or is getting groomed, make sure to dry the ears out completely. I even suggest making dogs with long ears wear a headband to hold them open and completely dry out. 🐾 Comment any questions!

01/24/2020

Happy Friday! 😊🐾

01/23/2020

To put it simply, vet visits are not cheap and we all want to get the most bang for our buck! So I’ll fill you in.. whether it’s your first visit or yearly visit, you want to get the most out of every minute you’re paying for. If it’s your pet’s first vet visit, please bring a f***l sample along. It is VERY common for puppies to have worms and for other pets to catch them. They all want to put their noses in things they shouldn’t (p**p, dead animals, butts, etc) and worms are easy to contract this way. Most clinics will give you a complimentary first dose of flea/tick prevention and parasite prevention. Give both to your pet a few days apart, whether infected or not. Try to keep up with administering one of each to your pet once a month to help guarantee negative results every year. It’s okay to miss/forget doses, just do the simple check ups once or twice a year to make sure they haven’t picked up anything. Of course it is easier to prevent infection than treat it, so keep that in mind!
When it comes to vaccines, most of them require an initial injection then a booster injection in 3-4 weeks. The booster injection can not be given sooner than 16 weeks of age. So I always recommend to clients, if all else is well, come in for your first visit around 11-12 weeks to get the complimentary prevention and the initial vaccines, that way in 3-4 weeks, your pet will be old enough to consider the booster injection the last one🙏🏾 some vets have a different way of doing things so always check first what they feel is best for your pet. Comment any questions!

01/23/2020

Okay y’all! I’m going to start discussions on puppies and vaccines first. It is very important to get your pet vaccinated for many reasons but which ones are MOST important depend on your pet’s environment and lifestyle. Below is a brief rundown on vaccines by a superb vet, Dr. Rachael Dunn.

“Rabies vaccine: non-negotiable, and legally required. Their first vaccination should be given around 4 months of age in Virginia.

Distemper/Parvo: this is what we call a “core” vaccine, so we give it to all dogs throughout their life. It protects against serious gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurological symptoms that can occur should they develop either of these diseases. As a pup, they typically get it once a month until 4 months of age.

Bordetella/kennel cough: this helps protect your puppy against respiratory illness that can be contracted from boarding, doggie day care, dog parks, etc. There are several different formulations available out there - an injectable shot, an intranasal vaccination, or an oral version.

Lyme vaccine: this helps protect against Lyme disease which is spread by ticks. I highly recommend it when animals are in endemic areas, such as ours!

Leptospirosis: this vaccine helps protect against a fatal bacteria that wildlife carries, lives in waterways. Should your pup contract this bacteria they can die from sudden kidney or liver failure. I strongly recommend this vaccine for outdoorsy animals.”

Comment any questions!

01/20/2020

All “paws” allowed🦘🐶🐱🦎🐾

01/16/2020

For my first post, I want to share with everyone that the Dog park at Jim Barnett is now open to the public! This just changed this past summer and it’s pretty big, so go make some fur friends!

01/16/2020

Hi pet lovas! My name is Bri and I am a veterinary technician at an animal clinic, soon-to-be a licensed tech. I provide technician services such as ear cleaning, nail trims, a**l gland expression, etc. I also offer pet sitting and boarding (link above). I wanted to start this page, not only to promote and organize my pet services, but to provide an open forum to offer advice and answer questions. Pets deal with all kinds of health or medical issues - just like us. My goal is to contribute “people-friendly” information and hopefully help alleviate the stress and discomfort for you and your pet(s). I very often get asked the same questions about allergies/itching, anxiety, parasite prevention, spays/neuter, dentals, etc. all day long. I want this to be an open discussion to offer advice, answers, support, services, etc! So also post your own pet services or needs! I love being able to help in any way:) Ask me anything or just post your fur babe! Fellow vet techs feel free to chime in! 🐾♥️