The Holidays are coming and many families travel.  What do you do with your pets when you are gone? Being on vacation is fun; shouldn't it also be for your pet? Rather than dealing with the difficulty of taking your pet with you or leaving them at home, let your pet go on their own vacation by taking them to a boarding facility. Before you take your beloved pet to just any boarding facility it is important to look into it first, much like how we check destinations, accommodations, and available activities for our vacations.
Destinations
Start by asking family and friends if they have used a facility in the area.  If they have ask why they were happy with it. Was their pet happy after returning home, did the pet look healthy and well cared for.  You can also ask your veterinarian if they have a recommendation.
There are a number of boarding facilities available to choose from. Attempting to narrow down which facilities to choose from can be a long process. An easy way to quickly narrow down the list is to look for facilities that are certified by the International Boarding and Pet Care Association (IBPSA),
www.ibpsa.com​.  Also, look into what kinds of accommodations and activities they provide for your pet.

Accommodations
When choosing a boarding facility make sure to first take a tour of the facility. Here are some important things to pay attention to while you are on tour:

• Is the facility clean?
• How does it smell?
• Is there sufficient lighting & ventilation?
• Is the temperature comfortable?
• How often are the runs cleaned?
• Is the dog run large enough?
• Are toys and bedding welcome?
• How often are pets fed?
• Can you bring your own dog food?
• Is the staff caring & knowledgeable?
• Are current vaccinations required?
• Veterinary services should be readily available.
• Are grooming & training services available?
• Is there enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
• Is there enough space between the litter box and food bowls?

Activities
Find out what activities your pet will engage in while you are gone. For example, the facility should have scheduled walks or playtime and have a supervised exercise yard in a socializing environment. Some facilities also have indoor or outdoor pools. If there is a pool find out if it is heated. 

Separation Anxiety?
If your pet suffers from separation anxiety they may not be a good candidate for boarding. A pet sitter may be a better alternative. In the event that a pet sitter cannot be found, you may still be able to help your pet cope. Pheromone products such as DAP (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) can help ease anxiety. In severe cases, other medications may be necessary to calm your pet, talk to your veterinarian. Leaving a shirt or other piece of clothing that has your scent on it may also help separation anxiety. Talk with the employees at the facility about how they have handled that in the past.

The most important thing to note when visiting different kennels is how the environment makes you feel. Trust your gut. If you feel comfortable there and get along well with the staff members, it's likely that your best pet will feel at ease there as well. No kennel will feel exactly like home to your pet, but if it can come close, you'll be able to go on your trip knowing your pet is safe and sound.

The most important thing to note when visiting different kennels is how the environment makes you feel. Trust your gut. If you feel comfortable there and get along well with the staff members, it's likely that your best pet will feel at ease there as well. No kennel will feel exactly like home to your pet, but if it can come close, you'll be able to go on your trip knowing your pet is safe and sound.

The Pit Bull is an exceptional breed that requires exceptional dedication and ownership. These dogs are not people-haters. Their pugnacious tendencies which are natural to the terrier  can tend to be towards other dogs and animals. This comes from centuries of breeding. It is a historical fact that these dogs were originally bred for fighting. It has also been noted numerous times the one quality that was never bred into them was human aggression.
​Even during their fighting hay days human aggression was not tolerated. While it is understood that yes, some of these dogs do indeed bite people. They are not representatives of  an entire breed of canine. In other words, while 20 dogs out of 5,000 may bite, that doesn't mean the other 4,980, will. Any dog of any breed has the propensity to bite. Any dog of any breed needs proper training and supervision.
The Pit Bull possesses a tenacious athletic ability, loyalty, intelligence, and high energy. These dogs are not lap dogs (though many think they are) or a dog for the lazy person. In doing the research for this article the following are attributes that I found touted over and over again:

•  High levels of exercise EVERY DAY to help expel some of their natural high energy.
•  A wonderful family dog. They adore their families and love to snuggle. 
•  A very "people loving" dog. My Pibble can not get enough attention from people.  He wants everyone to love and pet him. 
• A dog that can be destructive to furniture or other objects if left alone. Any dog that is left alone or chained up can be destructive. Pibbles are intelligent dogs and need not only physical activity but mentally stimulating activity as well. 
• An easy to train dog that can make a wonderful partner in agility, jogging, or other activities.
•  May not get along with other dogs, especially of the same sex. 
•  A dog that you cannot leave unattended with other dogs, no matter how  well they get along.
• A pet that you may be unable to take to off-leash dog parks. It is inevitable if a fight breaks out the Pitbull will be blamed and punished whether or not it was their fault. 
•  A poor guard dog; it is not a breed trait to be defensive of car, home, etc.
•  A social dog; most pit bulls greet strangers like long lost friends.
•  Can be a 12 + year commitment.
• A dog that you may be unable to travel with due to breed specific restrictions.
• You may receive criticism from friends/family members that are misinformed about the breed. My Mother was very afraid of Pitbulls and was frightened to come to my home when I first got Benson.  Once she met him and learned about the breed she fell in love and is now one of the biggest advocates of the Pitbull type dog. 
•  A dog that requires high quality food to maintain health.
• Vet bills for regular check ups, spay/neuter, vaccinations, and flea and  other parasite treatments
•  A dog that is safe with people. Human aggression, severe shyness, and instability are not traits, in fact they are clowns and very playful. 
  
  Most of the above traits can also be attributed to any dog. Dog ownership should always be taken seriously and responsibly. Pit bull ownership should always be taken seriously. With proper training and supervision these dogs can be the best companion an individual or family can experience.  I can attest to this fact as Benson, pictured above has given not only myself but my family and co-workers a lot of love and laughs. 

You may have heard it on the news, there have been confirmed cases of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) in Georgia and Tennessee. CIV is an extremely contagious disease for dogs.  
​There are two strains of the canine flu virus, H3N2 and H3N8. The current outbreak is of H3N2. 

    Luckily, there is a low mortality rate with animals who contract this disease (few dogs die). However, it is HIGHLY contagious to other dogs and can live in the environment for a few days after exposure. Therefore, we strongly recommend vaccination of at-risk dogs, the disease can be brought home on your clothes/shoes. It is not contagious to people (non-zoonotic), but cats can become infected with it.
    CIV has an incubation period of 2 to 5 days (this means it takes approximately between 2-5 days for a dog to show signs). The general clinical signs of CIV are coughing, sneezing, not eating, fever, and acting depressed and tired. Runny eyes and a runny nose may or may not be present. More severe clinical signs of canine influenza virus are a high fever, (104.0 degrees Fahrenheit) or above, pneumonia, hemorrhagic (coughing up blood) pneumonia, trouble breathing and potential secondary bacterial pneumonia. Transmission of CIV can occur from virus aerosolized (spread into the air) by barking, coughing, sneezing, and surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus can remain present on surfaces for several days. Coughing for several weeks after infection may be observed, but there is no risk of transmission at this time. Generally dogs are free of the virus by the 7th to 10th day after the onset of clinical signs, but with this particular strain, H3N2, the virus may shed up to 3 weeks or more after the resolution of clinical signs. 
    Cats can also be infected with H3N2 – they will have runny noses, congestion, malaise, lip smacking, and excessive salivation.
    Transmission: Pets can get the disease through sharing bowls, being in close proximity to infected animals and breathing in, licking an infected area and we can bring it in on our clothes. 
    Diagnosis: of canine influenza virus is performed by identification of the virus in acutely infected animals or by the presence of CIV antibodies in the late stages of clinical disease. A swab is taken and sent to the lab. 
    Treatment: treatment is very similar to the way we treat ourselves with the flu, supportive care. This includes antibiotics to prevent/cure the secondary bacterial infection, fluid therapy, cough suppressant tabs, NSAIDS to reduce fever and help with pain, adequate nutrition, fever control (alcohol on the pads, put water on them and run a fan, etc), oxygen if in respiratory distress, anti-nausea medication, etc.
     Prevention: Prevention and biosecurity are significant components to managing CIV. Vaccination against canine influenza virus is available and provided by many veterinary hospitals and clinics. Infection control measures, such as, cleaning and disinfecting cages, bowls, and other fomites (hard and soft surfaces that can allow the virus to live on it) is very important. Proper hygiene and washing clothes with detergent at proper washing temperatures also reduces and/or prevents the spread of the virus. Bag any towels separately and mark “Possible CIV” so that they can be disinfected. Bag any newspaper that may have been contaminated with bodily fluids separately and take to the trash immediately.
    Canine Influenza Virus is extremely contagious, but if you take the proper steps in caring for your pet you can help your pet avoid getting sick.  Vaccination is the first line of defense along proper cleaning.  Avoid taking your dog to highly populated events.  
    National Spay Alliance does have the Influenza vaccine.  Please call the office for pricing, age requirements, and frequency of vaccinating.  

What is a tethered dog? The definition is:
A dog that is tethered with chain, rope or cable to a stationary object, usually in a back yard. 
Imagine spending your life tied to a stationary object. Whether it's rain or shine, hot or cold. You stare at the same thing day in and day out and watch life happen and you can only watch. It doesn't sound like much of a life, in fact it is a frustrating and lonely life.  Dogs are social beings who crave and thrive on companionship and interaction with other people and animals. When a dog is left for hours, days, months and even years on a chain, they suffer immense psychological damage. They can become aggressive, anxious and neurotic through lack of socialization.
    They can also be in harms way, such as becoming tangled around something so they can not reach their shelter, food or water. The collar or chain around their neck can become too tight and become embedded in their skin causing infection and pain. It also puts them at risk if they are attacked by another dog or animal as they can not escape.
   Dogs that are tethered are three times more likely to bite according to the Centers for Disease Control and The Humane Society of the Unites States.   As they are generally under socialized and feel naturally defensive because they are confined.  
   While tethering a dog may not be illegal in some areas Georgia is starting to recognize its cruelty and has begun passing ordinances that allow tethering only when the keeper remains in the physical presence of the animal. Restricting tethering of dogs and upgrading care standards will give animal control and law enforcement officers an important opportunity to educate dog owners on proper care and provide them with more certain, consistent, and enforceable minimum care standards. 
   To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact with people daily and receive regular exercise. Placing an animal on a restraint for short periods for exercise or fresh air is acceptable. Animals kept temporarily tethered should be safely secured so the tether can’t become entangled with other objects. The care taker should be able to physically see the dog the entire time the dog is tethered. Collars should be properly fitted. Using a pulley or trolley run is preferable to stationary chaining. However, dogs still get choked and tangled on trolleys. The best way to confine dogs is to bring them inside or provide them with a fenced area.

   The following counties have passed anti-tethering ordinances in Georgia:
Tethering    Banned    (allowed    only    while    person    is    with    pet)
COUNTY POPULATION                      
Athens-Clarke           120,938              
Bibb                             153,905 
Blakely                             5,068          
Cherokee                    230,985
Cobb                            730,981
College Park                  14,621
Douglas                       138,776
Fulton                          996,319
Gwinnett                    877,922
Houston                        149,111
City of Madison            3,636
Rockdale                      87,754
Total Population     3,805,891
Restricted Tethering Ordinances  are in the following counties:  
COUNTY POPULATION
DeKalb      722,161      Douglas       138,776
Statham      2,408      Richmond  201,368
LaGrange   30,542     Albany           75,769
Monroe       13,664     Barrow          73,240
Spalding    63,988
Total Population 1,321,916
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Animal Law Source 
Unchainyourdog.org

1 in 38 dogs test positive for heartworm! Those are just the dogs we know about. Take a look at the map, Northwest Georgia has the highest incident rates. This means your dogs are at a very high risk of being infected. 
​
In the month of March NSAF tested 150 dogs for the parasite 17 dogs tested positive! 11% of the dogs we tested in just one month are positive for heartworm.  

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos. A mosquito bites your neighbors infected dog and then flies into your home and bites your dog injecting the larvae into your unsuspecting pet. In time if left undiagnosed or untreated your dog can suffer respiratory distress, chronic heart disease/failure or even sudden death.

It doesn't matter if your dog lives in doors except to go out to use the bathroom, mosquitos are in your home. We live in Georgia they are every where. 

We often hear folks say it's to expensive to test and to buy preventative. The average cost of treating the disease can run any where from $500 - $1500.  So folks might think; well there's a treatment I will worry about it if he contracts the disease. Well think about this, the treatment option can be painful and can take 4 months or longer to treat and is very stressful on the body. 

Compare that to a $20 test yearly and between $78 - $98 (1 year supply of preventative) and a $5 brief exam. (These prices are NSAF's). Most heartworm preventions are given orally and monthly. It is very important to give the prevention on time because if you forget and give it every other month then your dog is at risk for contracting heartworms. There are lots of ways to remember to give the prevention such as stickers that come in the medication package and reminders on  your cell phone. 

We all love our dogs, for most of us they are part of our family.  Preventing this disease is easy and economical so please get  your dog in for testing and let's prevent this disease from spreading further.  

For more information you can go to https://www.heartwormsociety.org/.

In the last 8 months there has been 2 raccoons and 2 skunks that have tested positive for rabies.  On February 21st of this year a dog was bitten by one those raccoons in Dalton and must now under go a 6 month quarantine. 

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva or tissues from the nervous system from an infected mammal to another mammal.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases can pass between species. This means rabies can be passed from animal to human. It is generally transmitted through saliva of the infected animal via a bite or scratch to another animal or human. 

Most human cases (90%) are caused by exposure from an infected dog. However bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are also known to be important resevoirs of the disease.

The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system causing severely distressing neurological symptoms before causing the victim to die. 
Rabies is the deadliest disease on earth with a 99.9% fatality rate. With immediate medical treatment after a bite by and infected animal it can be treated.  Left untreated it is 100% deadly.

However, this disease is 100% preventable. This major source of rabies in humans can be eliminated through ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control, educating those at risk, and enhancing access of those bitten to appropriate medical care.

What can you do to protect your family and pets?

• Vaccinate your pet
• Maintain control of your pets to reduce their exposure to wildlife
• Spay or neuter to decrease the number of stray animals
• Report any stray or ill animals to animal control

National Spay Alliance Foundation wants to help you protect you and your pets. We are now offering a monthly $10 rabies vaccine clinic.  Our next vaccine clinic will be held Saturday 04/01/17 from 9:00am - 11:00am.  Heartworm testing and distemper vaccines are also $10.  

Please help keep our community safe and vaccinate! 

CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
and Global Alliance for Rabies Control.

February is Dental Health month. While the cost of taking care of your pet's dental health can sometimes seem costly for a somewhat cosmetic procedure, much like your own dental health, your pet’s dental health can have an impact on your pet’s overall wellness.

Here are six signs that your pet is in need of a dental exam and dental care.
​
While these signs may signify that your pet may have an immediate dental need that needs to be addressed, it is important that your pet receives regular dental checkups and cleanings. 

• For many there is nothing sweeter than their pet leaning in for a sloppy kiss.  But for many pets, their breath isn’t so sweet and stinky breath can be a warning sign of periodontal disease.
• If your pet is having trouble or suddenly loses interest in eating, your pet might need dental care immediately.  These are signs of an oral infection, which may be caused by gum disease.
• If your pet develops swelling, bleeding or inflamed gums, this may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Left untreated this infection can spread to other parts of the body.
• While you may think that it is normal for your pet to lose teeth as they age, broken or loose teeth may be a sign of a more serious problem. It may signify a bacterial infection in the roots of the teeth. 
• If your pet has a growth or tumor on their gum, it is important to have it checked out by your veterinarian.  A growth could signify cancer and may require more in-depth dental care to protect your pet’s life
• If your pet begins pawing at their face or drooling it may indicate that your pet has a dental abscess due to a bacterial infection, fighting or a broken tooth from chewing on hard items such as rocks.

​Cold Weather Tips for Pets:

The bitter cold weather is upon us.  When dogs and cats lived in the wild, cold weather was rarely a problem because they evolved to suit the climates in which they found themselves. 
Domesticated animals are just that domesticated.  For instance, a husky who is an indoor/outdoor dog should not be left outside for long periods of time in the cold and snow.  They are not acclimated to the cold.  
Dogs and cats aren't made for frigid conditions. They get just as cold in icy weather as people do. And because they go barefoot all the time, their paws are vulnerable to ice, packed snow, and road salt. In extreme conditions, they can get frostbite.
•    During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. 
•    Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags or better yet micro chipped. 
•    Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. 
•    Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear. 
•    Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. 
•    Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself. 
•    Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape. 
•    Coolant and antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information. 
•    Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect. 
If you follow these tips and take care to ensure warm dry housing for both you and your pet, the winter will be better for all.