McDole Veterinary Services

It can be hard to know what to say and do (and what *not* to say and do) for someone who is grieving the loss of a pet. This article presents some helpful advice.

Dealing with pet loss: How to help a grieving pet parent Pet parents often say that losing their animal companions is as hard as, if not harder than, losing a human family member, experts say.

Training birds to take treats out of a syringe can reduce the stress associated with medicating if your pet ever becomes sick in the future. Try offering fruit juice, nut butter (like almond or macadamia nut butter), or apple sauce using the syringe. As with all training, use positive reinforcement (they are already getting a treat but don’t forget to use verbal praise!), and use gradual steps to get to the ultimate behavior of taking the treat out of the syringe.

https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/481837/Syringe-Training

WSDA has confirmed a case of rabbit hemorrhagic disease ( ). The confirmed case was in King County and presented with sudden mortality of 90% of the rabbits.

There is now a vaccine available and rabbit owners can speak with their veterinarian about the possibility of vaccinating their rabbits. More information about the vaccine as well as biosecurity is available here: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/animals-livestock-and-pets/animal-health/animal-diseases/rabbit-disease

You can also learn more in our latest blog: https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/05/state-veterinarian-confirms-rabbit.html

This is not a surprise but it is still bad news.

News Releases | Washington State Department of Agriculture OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) have confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – also known as bird flu – in a non-commercial backyard flock ...

Wild birds that are tested in rehab facilities for the current strain of highly pathogenic bird flu are not currently being reported on national maps, so we've decided to provide weekly updates of our own avian influenza statistics to the public. We want to be transparent and give others a better view into how this outbreak is impacting raptors in our area. We test each bird admitted for care and all but one of those that have tested positive have either died or been humanely euthanized due to very poor prognosis, as this virus is very severe and deadly for raptors.

From March 28 - April 26th, we've tested 146 birds presented to our Center. Of that 146, 65 birds have tested positive, 51 have been negative, and we are waiting on results for 30. The 65 positive birds included:
-32 great horned owls
-20 bald eagles
-10 red-tailed hawks
-1 barred owl
-1 Cooper's hawk
-1 turkey vulture

This is a devastating outbreak for these birds and a difficult time to be in wildlife rehabilitation. But we will continue to provide weekly updates and we are finding hope in the birds that do not have the virus that we can continue to treat and care for thanks to our triage, testing, and quarantine protocols. Our work continues, and we are doing our best to learn as much as we can about this virus, how it presents in each species, how it may spread, and how we can best respond.

Important information!
Poultry owners especially, take note. (The WSDA includes a link to a webinar in the comments section of their post.)

“USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds in North and South Carolina detected during routine testing.

While there are no confirmed cases in Washington yet, now is the time for both commercial and backyard poultry owners to prepare: review and improve your biosecurity practices, increase monitoring of your flocks and report high mortality or illness events, and eliminate risk, for example, by keeping birds in coups or poultry houses to prevent contact with wild birds, if possible. Additional links and resources, including a webinar that WSDA conducted last year on HPAI, are available in the comments. ”

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds in North and South Carolina detected during routine testing.

While there are no confirmed cases in Washington yet, now is the time for both commercial and backyard poultry owners to prepare: review and improve your biosecurity practices, increase monitoring of your flocks, report high mortality or illness events, and eliminate risk - for example - by keeping birds in coops or poultry houses to prevent contact with wild birds, if possible. Additional links and resources, including a webinar that WSDA conducted last year on HPAI, are available in the comments.

"Many people are cutting back on sugar, which has led to an enormous increase in the number of products that contain xylitol...”
"“Xylitol consumption by pets, particularly dogs on the other hand, can be extremely toxic and potentially deadly. The most common effect of xylitol poisoning in dogs is a precipitous drop in blood sugar which can lead to loss of consciousness and seizures. In high enough doses, liver failure can begin within a few hours or days.”
"In addition to candy and other sweets, xylitol is now being used in peanut butter, nasal sprays, sleep aids, shampoo, deodorant, multivitamins, prescription sedatives and medications, antacids, stool softeners, make-up remover, smoking cessation gums and much, much more."
XYLITOL PET POISONING CASES MORE THAN DOUBLED OVER FIVE YEARS:
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/toxin-tails/xylitol-poisonings-doubled/

Xylitol Pet Poisoning Cases More than Doubled Over Five Years | Pet Poison Helpline Xylitol Pet Poisoning Cases More than Doubled Over Five Years

This is very important!

It really doesn’t matter if your dog is friendly or not.

What matters is that you don’t take the choice away from another owner (and their dog) as to who they interact with.

There can be so many reasons why a dog and their owner need space from you and your dog.

Please allow them that choice 💙

We're getting lots of reports of elm sawflies as suspected . Elm sawflies are BIG - almost as large as the hornets and somewhat similar coloring. The clubbed antennae are a clue to look for to know .

Let’s see your cats, too!
Happy National Cat Day to all our feline friends and their families 😻

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter shares an e-mail address for you to contact if you need them to check on animals that were unable to be evacuated:

“If you live in an affected area please contact Officer Todd Stosuy by email at [email protected] “

Information from the American Veterinary Medical Association that you can use to help prepare for possible fire evacuations with your pets.
My thoughts are with all the people who are having to evacuate now or are worrying about needing to evacuate soon because of the massive wild fires in California.
Please do include your animals in your evacuation preparations.

“Pets and disasters”
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/pets-and-disasters

Pets and disasters Be prepared to take care of pets and other animals, especially during disasters such as fire, flood, or other emergencies.

In general, you should avoid using substrate that creates fumes, such as cedar or pine shavings. This can irritate the respiratory tracts of small mammals and predispose them to respiratory tract infections.
Pictured is an example of acceptable bedding.

The J.M. Smucker Company is voluntarily recalling one lot of 5.5 oz. cans of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Paté Formula canned cat food for possibly elevated levels of choline chloride.
"J.M. Smucker Company Recalls Canned Cat Food Causing Potentially Deadly Side Effects"
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/07/04/j-m-smucker-company-recalls-canned-cat-food-causing-potentially-deadly-side-effects/

J.M. Smucker Company Recalls Canned Cat Food Causing Potentially Deadly Side Effects The company said it received reports of pets having adverse reactions to Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Paté Formula. The concerns are likely due to elevated levels of choline chloride, according to the company.

Kent Nutrition Group Recalls Home Fresh Starter Amp Crumble Because of Elevated Salt Levels
"Kent Nutrition Group (KNG) of Muscatine, Iowa is voluntarily recalling 27- 25 lb.bags of Home Fresh Starter AMP Crumble from a single batch due to elevated salt levels, which can present illness or death to poultry. Kent Nutrition Group has ceased distribution of this lot as FDA and the company continue their investigation."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kent-nutrition-group-recalls-home-fresh-starter-amp-crumble-because-elevated-salt-levels

Kent Nutrition Group Recalls Home Fresh Starter Amp Crumble Because of Elevated Salt Levels Kent Nutrition Group (KNG) of Muscatine, Iowa is voluntarily recalling 27- 25 lb.bags of Home Fresh Starter AMP Crumble from a single batch due to elevated salt levels, which can present illness or death to poultry.

We are working hard to educate our community about COVID-19, but you may also see signage about canine distemper virus (CDV) at Alum Rock Park. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is reporting an unusually high number of CDV cases in wildlife populations throughout California. Gray foxes, raccoons and skunks are the most commonly affected species, but unvaccinated domestic dogs can potentially contract the disease. Pet owners should keep their domestic animals vaccinated, leashed in public parks, and prevent pets from coming into contact with wildlife. CDV is not transmissible to humans, but wild animals can spread distemper to domestic dogs and vice versa. Do not attempt to touch or pick up sick or injured wildlife. Report sightings to Park Rangers or Animal Care & Services immediately (408) 794-7297. More information is available at: http://bit.ly/distemptercases