Heatstroke Snakebites and Bee Stings

                                   PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TREATMENT!

Summer Provides great opportunities for outdoor time with your dog.  Enjoy it while it lasts, but keep in mind some of the following health risks:

                        HEAT STROKE

--Dogs pant to cool down.  This is less effective than sweating, so dogs are far less heat-tolerant than people.  Overweight dogs, and breeds such as bulldogs with compressed airways, are even less able to handle hot weather.
--Early signs of heat stress include shade-seeking behavior, intense thirst, and uncontrollable panting.  Stop your pet's activity immediately once signs present and seek shade and/or air conditioning and offer water to drink.  You can cautiously resume more moderate activity once symptoms resolve.  Continued overheating may progress to life-threatening heat stroke.
--Symptoms of heat stroke include weakness, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures, and require immediate veterinary care.  Wetting your dog down with cool (not cold) water and fanning him en route can start the cooling process and may save their life.
--To Avoid Heatstroke:
    [] Keep your dog fit
    [] Avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day or
       extremely hot or humid days.
    [] Keep water readily available at all times
    [] Watch your dog closely for signs of heat stress
    [] Remember: there is no safe amount of time you can leave 
       your dog in a parked car.  Even with the windows open, it 
       can quickly become too hot for your dog to prevent 
       overheating.  Fatal heatstroke can occur within minutes.

                                            INSECT STINGS
--Bee and wasp stings cause local pain and swelling.  Call your veterinarian immediately for the best course of action.  In the meantime apply a cold compress to the area for 3-5 minutes (a bag of frozen peas or ice cubes wrapped in a towel works well)
--Severe allergic reactions are rare in dogs, but facial swelling and hives are common.  These warrant timely veterinarian attention, but typically respond well to treatment with antihistamines.  Never administer medications to your pet without consulting a veterinarian; some over-the-counter antihistamines are extremely toxic to pets.


                                SNAKE BITES/OTHER WILDLIFE
--All snakebites should be considered dangerous.  Signs of envenomation include local pain and moderate to severe swelling
--If you suspect your dog has been bitten:
     [] Keep him calm and restrict his movement
     [] Keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart and do 
        not allow him to walk
     [] Do not apply tourniquets, ice, or suction to the limb
     [] If he was bitten in the head or neck- remove his collar
     [] Seek veterinary attention ASAP!
--SKUNK- In addition to smelling terrible, skunk spray can be irritating and cause red eyes, sneezing, pawing at the face, or vomiting.  If your dog is showing these signs contact your veterinarian.  
--PORCUPINE- Porcupine quilling is a serious matter.  Quills are barbed, will imbed deeper into tissues and can migrate through the body to end up in the eyes, lungs, or heart.  Examination and treatment by a veterinarian is recommended for any case of quilling.  Try to prevent your dog from pawing at his face while he is en route; broken quills are challenging to find and remove, resulting in higher risk of infection and quill migration.

PHONE: (919) 781-0696
EMAIL: creedmoorroadanimalhospital@gmail.com
WEB:   www.creedmoorroadanimalhospital.com

Eye Care

Man's best friend could use a good eyeballing once in a while- believe us, your dog won't take it personally!  In fact, giving him regular home eye exams will help keep you alert to any tearing, cloudiness, or inflammation that may indicate a health problem.  Check out the following ways to help keep your dog's vision sharp- and that twinkle in their eyes.

1) The Initial Gaze
Face your dog in a brightly lit area and look into his eyes.  They should be clear and bright, and the area around the eyeball should be white.  His pupils should be equal in size and there should not be tearing, discharge, or any crust in the corners of his eyes.

2) A Closer Look
With your thumb, gently roll down your dog's lower eyelid and look at the lining.  It should be pink, not red or white.

3) What to Watch Out For
The following are signs that something may be wrong with one or both of your dog's eyes:
     [] Discharge & crusty gunk
     [] Tearing
     [] Red or white eyelid linings
     [] Tear-stained fur
     [] Closed eye(s)
     [] Cloudiness or change in eye color
     [] Visible third eyelid
     [] Unequal pupil sizes

4) A Clean Sweep
A gentle wipe with a damp cotton ball will help to keep your pooch's eyes gunk-free.  Wipe outward from the corner of they eye and be careful not to touch his eyeball- you don't want to scratch the cornea.  If your dog constantly suffers from runny eyes and discharge, please see your veterinarian.  Your pet may have an infection.

5) Control the Eye-Fro
Long-haired breeds can get eye damage if their locks aren't tamed.  Using scissors with rounded tips, carefully trim the hair around your dog's eyes to keep his vision clear and prevent hairs from poking and scratching.

6) Ouch-Free Grooming & Maintenance
Soaps and topical medications can be major irritants.  Make sure to protect your dog's eyes while bathing or applying ointments or flea-control formulas.

7) Driving Ms. Fluffy
Many a pooch loves the open road and the wind in her fur, but if debris or an insect touches her eye, she may suffer pain and a long-lasting injury.  It's much safer to drive with the windows only partially down and a doggie's head inside the vehicle.  The wind can also dry out your dog's eyes, possibly causing irritation and infection.

8) It's in the Genes
Do a little research and find out if your dog's breed is predisposed toward eye conditions, such as glaucoma or progressive retinal atrophy.  Of course, your pet should have his eyes checked on annual vet visits through an exam and a tonometry test (especially senior pets), but knowing about possible inherited problems will help you take important precautions.

9) Eye-Catching Behavior
Watch your pooch's body language- pawing or rubbing his eye area may alert you to possible problems.

10) Know Thy Eye Disorders
     [] Conjunctivitis -- One or both of your dog's eyes will look red and swollen, and there may be discharge.
     [] Dry Eye -- Diminished tear production can cause corneal inflammation, squinting, and discharge.
     [] Cherry Eye -- An enlarged tear gland forms a cherry-like mass on the dog's eye.
     [] Epiphora -- An overflow of tears creates stains on the dog's facial fur
     [] Glaucoma -- The cornea becomes cloudy and the eye enlarges due to an increased pressure in the eyeball.
     [] Ectropion -- A turning outward of the upper eyelid causes the lower lid to droop.
     [] Entropion -- A rolling in of the eyelid causes discharge and tearing.
     [] Cataract -- An opacity on the lens of the eye can cause impaired vision and possible blindness.
     [] Progressive Renal Atrophy -- Caused by degeneration of retinal tissue - night blindness is often its first sign.

Call our clinic for any questions or to set up your pet's next appointment :)
PHONE       (919) 781-0696
EMAIL          creedmoorroadanimalhospital@gmail.com
WEBSITE    www.creedmoorroadanimalhospital.com

Paw and Nail Care

                         **PAW CARE TIPS FOR DOGS**

Your dog's feet sure are made for walking, but did you know they are also made for protecting? Pads provide extra cushioning to help protect bones and joints from shock, provide insulation against extreme weather, aid walking on rough ground and help protect tissue deep within the paw. With all that work to do, it's no wonder your pooch's paws often take a bit of a beating. Keep a spring in your pet's step with these tips:

1) Pamper with Pedicures- 
Your dog's nails should just about touch the ground when she walks. If her nails are clicking or getting snagged on the floor, it is time for a pedicure. Call our office to schedule a nail trim for your pet today (or nail trims are free with any bath!)

2) Snip and Trim-
Trim paw hair regularly to avoid painful matting. Simply comb hair out, especially from between the toes, and trim even with the pads.

3) Clean in Between-
Foreign objects can become lodged in your dog's pads. Check regularly in between toes for foxtails, pebbles, small bits of debris. These items can usually be removed with a pair of tweezers.

4) Slow and Steady-
If you're about to begin a new exercise program with your dog, start off slow. Paws may become sensitive, chaffed, or cracked, particularly when starting your dog on walks and runs.

5) Summertime Sores-
Imagine stepping barefoot onto hot pavement. Ouch! It is important to remember your dog's paws feel heat extremes too. To prevent burns and blisters, avoid walking your dog on hot pavement or sand. Signs include blisters, loose flaps of skin, and red ulcerated patches. For serious burns, call your vet.

6) Wintertime Blues-
Winter is hard on everyone's skin, even your dog's! Bitter cold can cause chapping and cracking. Rock salt and chemical ice melters can cause sores, infection, and blistering. Toxic chemicals can also be ingested by your dog when he licks his paws. After outdoor walks in the winter, wash your dog's paws in warm water to rinse away salt and chemicals. 

7) Practice Prevention-
To reduce the risk of injury, keep your home and yard clear of pointy bits and pieces. Be conscious to avoid hazards such as broken glass and other debris when walking your dog. And keep this simple tip- if you wouldn't want to walk on it barefoot, neither will your dog!



**Don't forget that with every bath your pet will receive a FREE nail trim and ear cleaning.
*Schedule your pet's spa day today! (919) 781-0696  creedmoorroadanimalhospital@gmail.com