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. 
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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.
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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.