Schrag Animal Clinic

It's duckling and gosling season! Did you know feeding bread or popcorn to birds is not safe? It can lead to serious medical issues, including angel wing, which prevents birds from being able to fly. If you want to feed the ducks and geese, feed waterfowl pellets, cracked corn, oats, rice, birdseed, frozen peas, chopped lettuce, or sliced grapes.

Today is World Book Day! What are your favorite books?

Did you know that when training your dog, it is best to use both visual and verbal cues? Dogs actually respond better to visual cues than verbal cues, but if you combine the 2, dogs have a much more accurate response rate to what you ask them to do. Using both visual and verbal cues also gives you 2 ways to communicate with your dog. If it is dark out or your dog is out of sight, you can communicate with them using your voice. If you are in a noisy environment or you don't want to disrupt the quiet environment you are in, you can communicate with them using your hand signals.

Meet Umbra. Umbra has recently started to lose his eye sight. He has retinal detachment and luxated lenses. There are several things that can cause this to happen. In Umbra's case, it is most likely due to him being FIV+. He will continue to be monitored closely to make sure he doesn't develope any discomfort. Accommodations are being implemented at home to help him safely navigate his newly dark world.

Did you know flea, tick and heartworm prevention is needed year round in Oklahoma? Unlike Northern states, it never gets cold enough here for them to not be a concern. Collars, oral and injectable options are available. Ask us about options to keep your pets protected.

Fun Fact Friday

Did you know that dogs can detect changes in their humans heart rate and blood sugar levels, or detect that their human is about to have a seizure, amongst other medical changes? They do this by smelling changes in our body chemicals, which change with medical events and even our emotions. This is why service dogs can be very beneficial to people with medical concerns. They can alert their handler to an oncoming issue before their person or, in some cases, medical devices can detect the oncoming episode. This is why it is important to not talk to or try to engage with service dogs. Any distractions for the dog can lead to the dog missing these changes in their humans, preventing them from warning their person of the change.

Then and Now

We'd love to see photos of your pets from then and now. Share them in the comments and tell us a little about them.

Here is Marcus when he was a feral kitten and now as an almost 2 year old loving the indoor life.

Did you know cottontail rabbits have babies from February through September in Oklahoma? One rabbit can have 3 - 5 litters each year. So what do you do if you find a baby bunny? Chances are, momma rabbit is close by. They only nurse their babies twice a day, once early in the morning and again late in the evening. If you find a nest of bunnies and are concerned something has happened to mom, you can create a tic-tac-toe with small twigs or long pieces of grass over the nest or circle the nest with flour. If the tic-tac-toe or flour goes undisturbed for 24 hours, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center. WildCare Oklahoma is located in Noble, but has drop off locations in the city.

Severe Weather Safety Tips for your pets

With storm season upon us, make sure all your pets have collars with your phone number on them, even if they are microchipped. This can lead to being reunited more quickly than if they are only microchipped.

Have harnesses, leashes and crates out and ready to go. Harness them before sirens go off.

Have any necessary meds, some food, water and bowls packed to quickly grab. You can include blankets or p*e pads for bathroom emergencies.

Make a practice run to your storm shelter so your pets can see it's not such a scary place. Make it fun. Include treats or favorite toys.

After any high winds, remember to check your fence and gates for any damage BEFORE letting your pet back outside.

What do you do to prepare for storm season?

Let's talk about cats. What is something you do to keep your kitties from getting bored? One thing I do is give them puzzle feeders. Share photos of your kitty or your favorite boredom buster with us.

Fun Fact Friday

Did you know that only 20% of orange cats are female? For a female cat to be orange, they have to receive the gene for the orange color from both parents. With all the possible colors for cats, there is only a one in 5 chance that a female will receive that gene from both of her parents. Orange cats also usually develope freckles around 1 or 2 years of age. These freckles are usually around the lips and nose.

Calico males are even more rare than orange females. Only about 1 in 3,000 calico or tortoiseshell cats are male. In order for a calico or tortoise shell to be male, that kitten has to receive an extra X chromosome, making them XXY. Due to this abnormality, male calicos usually have shorter lives.

Do you have a female ginger or a male calico?

Note: The orange cats in these photos are male, and the calico is female.

Wildlife Wednesday

Did you know adding dye to hummingbird nectar can be deadly for them? Simply boil one part sugar and 4 parts water and cool. Don't add anything else to the nectar. Wash feeders every 2 to 3 days. In Oklahoma, hummingbirds start showing up in March, and the stragglers are here through October.

Training Tip:

Did you know you can crate train your cats? Leave their crate out and only feed them in the crate. With a little time, they will run to their crate when it is feeding time. This is greatly beneficial for vet trips, tornado weather, or any other time you need to secure them. A crate trained cat will be much less stressed when they have to be crated than one that isn't crate trained.

Happy Monday from Joe and our crew! Do you have an exotic pet? We want to see them! Share their photo below.

Sunday Funday! What will you be doing with your pups before the storms blow in? Kalindi wants to play ball. We'd love to see your pups! Share their photos in the comments.

It's Caturday! We'd love to see photos of your feline friends. Share them in the comments below. This is sweet Onyx.

ATTENTION: Victor Cat and Dog Food Recall!

https://victorpetfood.com/news?fbclid=IwAR211gEvXNAm7TYyZZ2yeuAIJ8sFv1dGL2m6vp8Bm-5y9nYg4I7xDNV79MA_aem_ASWp-v1GUzkS8jr2SJe5j6VEHtSufYKwAqvC6098FGT094l_pMonfG9maogzN2VOXmo&mibextid=9R9pXO

News: Latest about Our Company and Products | VICTOR Pet Food Keep up with VICTOR company news, formula updates, events and so much more.

ATTENTION: DOG FOOD RECALL
PLEASE SHARE

https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/simply-nourish/

Simply Nourish Dog Food Recall Complete details of PetSmart's August 2021 Simply Nourish dog food recall as reported by the editors of the Dog Food Advisor.

Xylitol is toxic to pets. It is now being "hidden" under another name. Remember to read labels before letting your pet enjoy your food.

Artificial sweeteners are super dangerous for our furry friends & they can lurk in some unexpected places🤔

Do you love to garden? Do you have a house full of amazing house plants? This link lists some of the most common plants and whether they are toxic or non-toxic to our furred family members.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Our handy list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Blue-green algae is deadly to pets, not to mention toxic to humans, as well. We recommend avoiding bodies of water during the warm months.

BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: The city of Oklahoma City confirms blue-green algae is now present at Lake Hefner. Blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Staff members with the Utilities Department have been treating spots like this along Lake Hefner Drive and Canal Road (see map in comments) to prevent more growth. Avoid boating, fishing and allowing your dogs to play in that area.