From July of 2018 to June of 2019 the United States had over 38 inches of rainfall. This was more than 7 inches over the average. For the first time in over 100 years rainfall was greater than 36 inches in a 12 month period. That's a lot of water! Well it's late October in the Southeast and the rainy season is upon us. While wet weather has plenty of benefits, it leaves behind bacteria and parasite-riddled puddles that can make your dog or cat very sick. In the wake of wet weather, pets that spend time outdoors are more at risk of contracting bacteria like leptospirosis and parasites like giardia. Dirty standing water can  also carry potentially toxic chemicals from runoff. 

Here are a list of hazards and how you can keep your pets safe:

• Mosquitoes: most of us know that standing water are breeding grounds for these pests. A female only needs 1 inch of water to lay hundreds of eggs. It takes only 1-2 days for them to hatch into larvae. Mosquitoes carry heartworm disease. This disease is already at record highs here in the Southeast.  Ensure that your dogs are tested yearly and on prevention year round. 
• Ticks: Ticks are hardy and can survive in both hot and cold climates. They love and thrive in the moist, humid conditions rain brings. With long-term rains grasses and shrubs will grow and become havens for these little beasts to multiply. Studies have shown that increased rainfall leads to higher incidents of Lyme disease. Lyme can also be transmitted to humans through tick bites. Usually a pet becomes infected only after the tick has been attached to the dog for at least 18 hours. An infected dog will show signs through lameness which is caused by inflammation in the joints. Untreated Lyme disease almost always leads to kidney issues in dogs. Check both your dogs and cats for ticks regularly and remove them as soon as you find them. It is imperative that you have your pets on effective flea/tick protection year round. 
• Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by the urine of infected wildlife.  It can be caught from water in rivers, lakes, streams or standing water  such as puddles.  It thrives in wet moist areas. This disease can be very dangerous as it can be passed to humans. Symptoms include: fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, reluctance to move, increased thirst, changes in urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and painful inflammation within the eyes. Other signs may include bleeding disorders leading to blood-tinged vomit, urine, stool or saliva as well as nosebleeds.​It is highly recommended you have your dog vaccinated for Lepto yearly.  
• Giardia: This is a protozal parasite that lives in wet soil and standing water contaminated by feces. It can be contracted from untreated sewage water, or natural ponds soiled by wildlife. It is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected humans or animals. It is one of the most common parasites infecting dogs, cats and birds. It causes diarrhea, vomiting, cramping and dehydration. Have your pets fecal tested by your veterinarian at least once a year if not more. 

No matter weather your dog hikes with you year round or your cat lives mostly in doors all our pets as well as we as their care takers are effected when the rainfall increases in our environment. It is imperative that we as pet parents ensure our animals are on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. Keep pets hydrated by offering them plenty of water and bringing water with you on outings. This will discourage them from straying to drink from outside water sources. Have your vet examine them and test their feces at least yearly. These tips will help keep both you and them healthy!  :)

As the hot weather has set in I notice how incredibly hot it is when I walk outside. Especially when I go from say my car into a store, how the heat just radiates off the pavement.  Humans wear shoes so our feet are protected. Dog and cats do not. They have pads on their feet that are also sensitive to heat and cold.  As an owner you must be aware of hot the pavement can get. Please take the time to watch the informative video, and for your pet please take the time to perform these tips:​

The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity. Overheating in dogs is not something to take lightly. As the weather heats up, it's important to remain aware of how the heat affects your pup. Heat exhaustion in dogs can lead to serious and potentially fatal conditions such as heat stroke and cardiac arrest.
To help keep your dog safe and cool during the summer, here is the lowdown on signs that he's overheating and how to prevent it: hint, if it's too hot for you to sit outside it's too hot from them. Water and shade are as important for dogs as it is for us. 

NEVER leave your pets in a parked car. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees.Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.

Humidity will affect your dog as much as temperature. Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.

Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.

Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, if it's to hot for you to walk on it's too hot for them to walk on, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

Any time your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don't obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.

Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

At the first sign of overheating, immediately take action to cool down your dog. Utilize the following steps to treat heat exhaustion in dogs:

1. Immediately move your dog to a cooler area, either indoors where there is air conditioning or in the shade under a fan.
2. Use a rectal thermometer to check his temperature. Heat exhaustion typically occurs when a dog's temperature falls between 103 and 106 degrees. A temperature above 106 places him at risk for heat stroke. If he's in the danger zone, call your veterinarian.
3. If you're near a body of fresh water, such as a lake or a baby pool, let your dog take a dip to cool down. Otherwise, you can use cool, wet cloths or towels to help him out. Place your cool wet cloths on his neck, armpits, and between his hind legs, and you can also gently wet his ears and paw pads with cool water.
4. If he's conscious and willing to drink, give him cool, fresh water. Don't force it, however, as it may end up in his lungs. If he can't or won't drink, or can't keep water down, wet his tongue with water instead. Don't feed him ice cubes, which could cause his temperature to drop too quickly, leading to shock.
5. Get him to the vet. If you haven't already done so, call ahead so they can be ready to take immediate action as soon as you arrive.

      We've all seen the dog is that is absolutely scared to death when a thunder storms rolls in.  There is a world of information out for the reasons. They range from it's merely the loud booming noise to the static electricity caused by lightning. Dogs that are affected seem to know the storm is coming even before it's visible to us humans. Some dogs can be so panicked by these storms they can injure themselves or family members trying to get away from it.  Storm phobia is an incredibly common problem for dogs, especially among herding breeds. Without any treatment, storm phobia in dogs worsens over time.
     With a little trial and error, you can find a treatment (or combination of treatments) to help your dog feel safe and secure during a storm or when fireworks are being used.

• In dogs with mild cases of thunder phobia, simple counter-conditioning can ease anxiety. Counter-conditioning can also keep puppies who haven’t had much exposure to storms from developing a phobia. The key is to pair something your dog loves with the earliest signs of the storm, and continue providing it while the storm lasts. Try extra-yummy treats like chicken or cheese, or a fun game like fetch or tug-o-war. 
• It is thought that static electricity can cause discomfort and can actually shock dogs.  Some dogs will seek out places that are grounding such as water, a bathtub, or the basement.  You can help but utilizing unscented dryer sheets. Try Seventh Generation unscented dryer sheets, they are all natural. You can lightly rub the unscented dryer sheet along your dogs coat.  You can also try a product called the Storm Defender, Studies have shown these treatments can be effective. 
• Thundershirts or pressure wraps are another alternative. These snug-fitting vests apply sustained, comforting pressure to your dog’s torso. It's similar to swaddling a baby.  It helps to calm the sensory receptors.  These wraps are also useful for fireworks and traveling if your dog is anxious. 
• When a completely sound-proof room doesn’t exist, compete with the noise by utilizing a radio or white noise machine. Music can also be helpful for the highly nervous dog to muffle the sound of the storm.
• For the highly-anxious dog who doesn’t respond to the above methods, a visit to the veterinarian to discuss medication may be the solution. However, medication should be a last resort when desensitization efforts fail.

     Remember these storms can be very stressful for you dog and some cats to.  Take the time to work with your pet to help teach them how to react more calmly and enlist the help of your veterinarian for comprehensive plan.  

How common is dental disease in dogs?
Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease. Few dogs show obvious signs of dental disease, so it is up to the dog’s family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden and often painful condition. The most common dental problems seen in dogs are periodontal disease and fractured teeth.  It's important to have your pet seen yearly for an oral health care exam.  
Please watch this video by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

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.