Posted in Community, Fun Stuff, Pet Health, tagged family fun, Little Creek Veterinary Clinic, Norfolk veterinarian, pet events, wildlife on November 29, 2016| Leave a Comment »
December is heavy on holiday prep, light on animal-related awareness days.
My favorite this month is Visit the Zoo Day, on December 27th. Let’s hope the weather cooperates!
National Mutt Day
December 2
World Wildlife Conservation Day
December 4
National Day of the Horse
December 10
Second Saturday in December
Visit the Zoo Day
December 27
Posted in Pet Health, tagged Fleabusters, fleas, freebie, household flea treatment, NexGard, stray animal, ticks, wildlife on August 22, 2014| 2 Comments »
Freaky and Fun Flea Facts
After reading this list, you’ll be itching (heh heh) to get your hands on flea control for your pets!
Did You Know?
So, how can you control flea infestations at home? Try these methods:
(Edited: Free flea control is limited to the Advantage II “Buy a 4-pack, get 5th tube free” offer.)
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Information for this article was adapted from the Companion Animal Parasite Council and dvm360.com.
Posted in Pet Health, tagged camping, Lepto in dogs, pet vaccines, summer safety, swimming, wildlife, zoonotic disease on July 22, 2014| 1 Comment »
With summer vacation in full swing, pet owners will be taking advantage of the season to go camping, hiking, swimming, and playing in the backyard with their dogs.
But they’re not the only ones out in force — wild animals will be enjoying the weather, too. The problem is, wildlife can leave behind a bacterium called Leptospirosis, which infects both people and their pets.
This raccoon may be carrying Leptospirosis – a bacteria dangerous to people and pets.
LEPTOSPIROSIS PROFILE
Found in: Water, soil, mud, and food contaminated with animal urine. Flood water is especially hazardous. Also found in an infected animal’s tissues and bodily fluids such as blood and urine.
Host animals: Raccoons, squirrels, opossums, deer, skunks, rodents, livestock, dogs, and rarely in cats.
Points of entry: Cut or scratch on the skin; mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth; inhaling aerosolized fluids. Drinking contaminated water; exposure to flood water.
Symptoms in people: Fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, jaundice, vomiting, rash, anemia, meningitis. Some people show no symptoms.
Symptoms in pets: Fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, depression, stiffness, muscle pain. Some pets show no symptoms. The disease can be fatal in pets.
When will it show up in my pet: Between 5-14 days post-exposure, although in some cases it may take up to 30 days.
Gravity: In people, Lepto infection can lead to kidney and liver failure, and death if left untreated.
Who is at risk: Campers, water sportsmen, farmers, military, to name a few.
Prevention:
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html Visit the CDC website for comprehensive information on Leptospirosis in people and pets.
http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/pdf/fact-sheet.pdf Print your own Lepto fact sheet, or send us a message using the contact form, and we’ll print one for you.
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This article was originally posted on July 8, 2011.
Photo credit: D. Gordon E. Robertson, via Wikimedia Commons.
Posted in Community, Fun Stuff, tagged nature, Norfolk places, photography, Weyanoke, wildflowers, wildlife on July 15, 2014| 1 Comment »
This gloomy rainy evening has got me thinking that we need to add a little color to liven things up. I offer to you these bright, joyful flowers and berries growing in Norfolk’s own Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary.
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All photos by Jennifer Miele
Posted in Community, Fun Stuff, tagged family fun, nature, Norfolk Botanical Garden, photography, wildlife on May 6, 2014| 2 Comments »
Since our clinic is happily located only minutes away from Norfolk Botanical Garden, I decided to make use of my membership card and take a stroll after work. Join me on this walk through the woods and then make time to see it for yourself.
The gardens were peaceful, except for the stirrings of little forest creatures like this guy:
The raccoon posed for a photo as he crossed the lane, but I took so long getting the camera ready that he tired of waiting and moved on.
I had no chance to snap his little friend who came crashing through the shrubs a moment later.
Lush banks of azaleas urged me onward.
The azaleas seemed to glow with color even as sunlight began to fade.
I stopped to gaze at the lake where fish caught their dinner and lazy turtles napped in the waning light.
This has always been my favorite reading spot in the garden.
Without a book in hand, I snapped a photo and continued on.
The white azaleas beckoned me forward. How could I resist?
At nearly 7 o’clock, I headed back to the parking lot.
But first, a quick stop at the fountain…
…and the Japanese Garden.
My visit is complete.
What will you see when you visit the Garden?
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All photos by Jennifer Miele.
Posted in Community, Fun Stuff, tagged family fun, free concert, Norfolk events, public library, therapy animal, Virginia Beach events, wildlife on January 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »
We’re still waiting on the massive snowstorm headed our way (I don’t want to jinx us, but we’re supposed to get 2-4 snowflakes this evening!), but you can start making plans for after the Great Winter Meltdown.
Mark your calendar for these local events:
Winter Wildlife Festival
WHEN: Saturday, January 25…….10 AM to 4 PM
WHERE: Princess Anne Recreation Center in Virginia Beach
WHO: All ages
COST: Free
LEARN MORE: www.VBgov.com/WinterWildlife
Saturday, January 25 | 10 am – 4 pm | Free & Open to the Public
All ages | Be sure to stop by the Exhibit Hall at Princess Anne Recreation Center and speak with our Winter Wildlife Festival partners and exhibitors, including Virginia Aquarium, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Lynnhaven River NOW, and Virginia Beach Audubon Society. You’ll learn ways to get involved with local efforts and find out what environmental groups and businesses are up to. Also, check out the decoy carvers from the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, and walk next door for children’s activities at Princess Anne Library!
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Pawsitive Reading with Therapy Dogs
WHEN: Saturday, February 1……..10 to 11 AM
WHERE: MEO Central Library, Virginia Beach
also at Princess Anne Library……..10:30 to 11:30 AM
or
WHEN: Saturday, February 8……..10:30 to 11:30 AM
WHERE: Oceanfront Library and Great Neck Library, Virginia Beach
WHO: Kindergarteners through 5th Graders
COST: Free
REGISTER (required): www.VBgov.com/library-events
Practice your reading skills by sharing stories with therapy dogs. Bring your own book or choose one from our selection. Grades K-5. Call 385-2606 to register.
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Boys Choir of Hampton Roads Concert
WHEN: Sunday, February 9……..4PM, reception follows
WHERE: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Norfolk
WHO: All ages
COST: FREE
LEARN MORE: www.blessed-sacrament.com and www.theboyschoirofhamptonroads.org
Founded in 1997, this group of young men lift their voices in song as they
reinforce positive self-image for youth.
Posted in Beyond, Fun Stuff, tagged butterfly, ducks, family fun, nature parks, nature trails, photography, wildlife, Williamsburg on June 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Following is a semi-exhaustive picture dictionary of animals we don’t treat.
Bees
Butterflies
Dragonflies
Slugs
Geese with duck harem
Rude ducks that talk over each other
and finally…
Otters carved out of wood
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All photos by Jennifer Miele.
Bee: Colonial Williamsburg
Butterfly, dragonfly, slug, quacking ducks, otter carving: Chesapeake Arboretum
Goose with ducks: Mariners’ Museum Park at Newport News
