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Archive for the ‘Pet Health’ Category

Coming soon to a neighborhood near you — Rabies???

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , , on October 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

There are scarier things around Norfolk and Virginia Beach this Halloween than witches, ghouls, and ghosts.

Watch out for foxes, raccoons, bats, and skunks — common carriers of Rabies, a deadly virus that can be spread to animals and people. 

Check your pet’s Rabies vaccination status — if it’s due or past due, make an appointment today to update your pet’s Rabies vaccination — don’t wait!

[If your pet is a patient at Little Creek Veterinary Clinic,
be sure to Contact Us.] 

There is no cure for Rabies. And Rabies is always fatal. That is why preventing Rabies with a vaccination is one of the most important things you can do for your pet and your family — and it’s the law.

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Don’t waste the opportunity to get FREE pet insurance*!

Posted in General, Pet Health, tagged , , , , , on September 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

At Little Creek Veterinary Clinic, we’re offering Trupanion’s FREE 30-day pet insurance certificate to benefit new dogs and cats between 8 weeks and 14 years old.

The catch is, you must activate the certificate within 24 hours of your pet’s examination at our clinic to get the free 30-day coverage. But don’t worry — Trupanion is available to you 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. So, even if you see us on a Saturday, you can activate your certificate on a Sunday.

Pets are always surprising their owners with their antics — unfortunately, some of those tricks can lead to a hospital stay. When that happens, you’ll be glad your pet was covered with veterinary pet insurance.

Trupanion’s 30-day pet insurance trial period lets you check out their service and even compare them to other pet insurance companies — all while acting as a safety-net as you shop for coverage during the trial period.

Want more benefits? How about:

  • No caps
  • No limits
  • No penalties for filing claims
  • No waiting periods (waived during trial period only)

[*Some restrictions apply. Available for pets between 8 weeks and 14 years of age. Certificate must be activated within 24 hours of the veterinary visit. Pre-existing conditions are exempt from coverage. Trial period lasts 30 days; coverage will be discontinued at that time unless pet owner arranges regular paid coverage. $250 deductible will apply to eligible claims filed during 30-day trial period. Complete details, including coverage & restrictions, available at www.Trupanion.com.]

We’ll do our best to offer the Trupanion certificate for all new patients, but feel free to ask us about it, too!

Questions? Contact Us today!

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This blog post is presented for informational purposes only, and is not an attempt to engage in commerce. Neither Dr. Miele, nor Little Creek Veterinary Clinic or its employees is responsible for any conflicts arising from the client relying on information contained in this article.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented here is accurate at the time of publishing, clients are urged to review all details made available by Trupanion before entering into any agreement.
The purchaser of veterinary pet insurance is responsible for verifying all pertinent information and is solely responsible for all costs associated with purchasing and using veterinary pet insurance.

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Make a Disaster Plan for your pets – Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , , , on September 4, 2018| 1 Comment »

We’ve talked about Disaster Planning before, since coastal Virginia is known for taking hits from tropical storms, minor [so far!] hurricanes, and Nor’easters. But with flood zones appearing to grow and deepen, more residents may be forced to evacuate their homes when severe weather is on the way.

[Virginians, find your storm surge flood map here.]

Disaster planning can also help in an emergency — evacuation due to a fire, for instance — so it is recommended year-round, according to Dr. Donald Miele, a Norfolk veterinarian.

Nationwide Pet Insurance has produced this infographic to help you remember the important things when making your plan.

Disaster Plan

Click to enlarge

Contact Us to reserve your copy of this Disaster Preparedness guide ($2 per booklet):

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3 Weird Pet Problems You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , , on August 9, 2018| Leave a Comment »

3 Weird Pet Problems You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

As a pet owner, you do your best to protect your pet from typical known hazards, such as diseases, traffic, heat stroke, and the like…but there are some weird problems pets can come up with that you’ve probably never heard of. For example:

  1. Tick bite paralysis…While not very common, this very real condition occurs when a female tick releases a toxin into a dog while feeding. Signs of tick bite paralysis show up 6-9 days after a tick has attached itself to a dog. The toxin affects the nerves carrying signals between the spinal cord and muscles. [Cats are less frequently affected by this toxin.]
    It is important to find and remove all ticks on the affected dog — and to bring the pet to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital for treatment, especially if the pet is having trouble breathing.
    What are the early warning signs of tick-bite paralysis? Read this article to get the full scoop.
  2. Water intoxication…According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, water intoxication, though rare, usually occurs during the warmer months when pets spend time at the beach or in a pool.
    Signs of water intoxication include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and a swollen belly. In severe cases, the pet may be weak, unable to walk properly (stumbling), have seizures, have an abnormally slow heart rate, exhibit hypothermia (low body temperature), or even go into a coma.
    Pets that are suspected of having water intoxication should be taken to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital for life-saving treatment.
    Which pets are most at risk for water intoxication? Read this article to find out.
  3. Toxic vomit…If your pet eats a rodent poison containing zinc phosphide, the chemical can mix with stomach acids and water to create dangerous phosphine gas. If your pet vomits, the gas is released into the air, which can lead to poisoning in people and pets. Phosphine gas can smell like garlic or rotting fish — or it may be odorless.
    If you suspect your pet has ingested rodent poison, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) and take your pet to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital for treatment.
    Which poisons contain the ingredient zinc phosphide? Read this article to get the list.

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This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or suggest a treatment for any disease or disorder. This article is not a substitute for veterinary care or a client-doctor-patient relationship, nor does it constitute such a relationship. Your pet’s veterinarian is the best source of information regarding your pet’s health.

Neither Dr. Miele nor Little Creek Veterinary Clinic or its staff is responsible for outcomes based on information available on this site.

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An eye specialist for pets explains how to apply ointment to your pet’s eye

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , on August 7, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Today’s guest post is by Dr. Heather Brookshire, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Animal Vision Center of Virginia.
Tips & Tricks: Applying ointment

Administering pills or eye drops to your pet is one thing, but applying ointment over the surface of their eye? Yes, we know. It sounds impossible, but it can be done when you follow these tried and true instructions. Deep breath. Here we go:
  • Place your pet on a table or counter top, with a towel or blanket on the surface so they feel secure. 
  • Before applying the ointment, use a clean, warm washcloth to remove any mucus or discharge from the eye. 
  • Hold your pet gently, but firmly, in front of you with their back towards you. If your pet is wiggly, you may try wrapping them in a blanket to secure them. 
  • Using your non-dominant hand, gently compress the tube to allow a small amount of ointment to escape the tip (approximately ¼ inch in length). 
  • Using the same hand, manually open the eyelid and drape the released ointment on the surface of the eye, taking care not to make contact with the eye. 
  • Gently close the eyelid to assist with dispersion of the ointment on the surface of the eye. 
And remember – if both drops and ointments are part of your pet’s post-care plan, always apply the drop first, and then wait 5-10 minutes before applying the ointment. 

Reprinted with permission.This article is not intended to diagnose
or treat any medical condition and is not a substitute for
an examination by your pet’s veterinarian.

Your pet’s eyes are delicate organs. If you have a concern about your pet’s eyes, 
Contact Us to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.

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Traveling with your pet this summer? Read this!

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , , on July 19, 2018| Leave a Comment »

If you plan to travel with your pet this summer (or any other time), you may be making a list of things to pack for your furry traveling companion.

But there may be things you haven’t considered — and knowing about them could make the trip safer and more enjoyable for you and your dog or cat.

Dr. Samantha Nelson, of BluePearl Veterinary Partners, has created a list of 26 tips for traveling with your pet.

Check them out on BluePearl’s client blog:   https://bluepearlvet.com/blog/26-tips-for-traveling-safely-with-your-pets

Bonus Links:

Find pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and more:   https://www.aaa.com/pettravel

Is your pet up-to-date on vaccines? Learn why he should be, before leaving town: https://littlecreekvet.com/2010/11/15/holiday-travel-series-part-4

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SNAP! CRACK! BOOM! The Scary Sounds of Summer for Dogs

Posted in Pet Health, tagged , , , , , , , on July 3, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Helping your dog cope with fireworks,
thunderstorms and other loud noises

By Dr. Nora Grant

Chances are there’s a four-legged friend on your block with anxiety or fear of a summertime noise. Maybe, it’s your dog and you don’t even know it.

Recent studies indicate more than 83 percent of dogs show a fearful response to fireworks and 65 percent toward thunderstorms. However, only 13 percent of pet owners recognize their dog suffers from fear.

“Fireworks, thunderstorms and other loud noises can trigger fear, anxiety and stress for our dogs similar to a panic attack. It can be a serious issue as one in five dogs goes missing after being scared by loud noises,” said Dr. Todd McCracken, a veterinary services manager with Ceva Animal Health. “In fact, more dogs run away on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, which makes July 5 the busiest day of the year for animal shelters across the country.”

The most common signs of fear in dogs include hiding or trying to escape, barking, panting, drooling, pacing, shaking, chewing, digging, scratching and inappropriate elimination.

Pet owners can prepare their dog for a fear-free firework and storm season by following these steps:

  1. Check Dog Tag ID and Secure Fences
    Double check your dog has an updated name tag on a properly fitting collar so you can quickly be reunited with your dog if it escapes. Be sure your fences are fully secure.

[Dr. Donald Miele, a Norfolk veterinarian, also recommends permanent pet ID, such as the HomeAgain microchip.]

  1. Use a Calming Pheromone
    Pheromones work by releasing “comforting messages” that remind your dog of the safety of being with his/her mom. The ADAPTIL® Calm Home Diffuser and ADAPTIL® Calm On-the-go Collar are clinically proven to help dogs cope with loud noises.

[Did You Know? Natural supplements, such as Solliquin, can also help relieve noise-related anxiety.]

  1. Create a Safe Place
    Your pet should have access to a safe, secure and comfortable place where sounds or flashes can be shut out. This space can include a bed or blanket for your dog to get comfortable in and some familiar toys.

  2. Play Soothing Sounds
    Play some classical music or turn on the TV to mask outside noises.

To learn more about how to reduce summertime pet anxiety and stress, visit www.SummerNoises.com.

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