Meet Nate, Our October Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Nate. He's our October - or shall we say "Dach-tober" - Pet Of The Month!

Nate is a 12-year-old Dachshund who was found wandering in the streets as the housing market collapsed. When no one claimed him, the family who found him decided to provide him with a loving forever home. He wasted no time wriggling into everyone's hearts and even alerted his mom to a venomous coral snake in the backyard. Who says little dogs can't be heroes?

Congratulations Nate, and share with all your friends - you're our "Dach-tober" Pet Of The Month!

Dental X-Rays And Pets

Dental X-Rays And Pets
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Most of us are accustomed to our own dentists routinely recommending dental radiographs as part of a routine dental wellness plan. It has only been fairly recently, however, that veterinary professionals began seeing the potential of dental radiology for the early detection of dental disease in companion animals.

Unlike human teeth, less than 20% of canine and feline teeth are visible above the gums. The other 80% of the tooth is hidden from sight, and is usually where dental problems begin. And unlike human patients, dogs and cats have a remarkable tolerance for dental pain. It is often not obvious to pet parents that their pets are suffering until secondary problems occur. By including x-rays as part of a routine dental cleaning, your veterinarian can diagnose disease and decay before your pet's health is compromised, and before the expense of treatment becomes difficult for pet parents to manage.

Meet Blue, Our June Pet Of The Month

World, meet Blue, our June Pet Of The Month!

This five-year-old pound puppy is a gentle giant who fancies himself a lap dag. When he's not giving kisses or being a marshmallow, Blue can be found on his favorite throw rug, snuggling with his sister, Luna.

Congratulations Blue, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Meet Louie, Our April Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Louie, our April Pet Of The Month!

Louie is an 11-year-old pug who always makes the rounds to visit his friends when he comes to the clinic. And who can resist that face?

When he isn't posing for pictures or hanging out with his furry sister, Louie is doing what he does best - lounging around, loving life and slathering his family with sloppy kisses. No wonder he's the apple of everyone's eye!

Congratulations Louie and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Safe Chew Toys For Dogs

February is Pet Dental Health Month - and your friendly, neighborhood pet store knows it.  Retailers and marketers have been known to pull out all the stops promoting chew toys as an essential part of  canine home dental care. Yet some of these products can cause a dog's teeth to wear down, become abscessed, or break.

When selecting safe chew toys, a good rule of thumb is to literally use your thumb.  Press your thumbnail into the toy. If it does not leave an indentation, the toy is too hard for your pet to chew without risk of breaking or wearing down his teeth. That said, a toy needs to be hard enough to prevent small pieces from breaking loose and presenting a choking hazard. Since every pet is different in terms of both dentition and behavior, it's always a good idea to ask your veterinary team for ideas on how to best satisfy your pet's specific chewing needs.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Meet Trey, Our February Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Trey, our February Pet Of The Month!

Trey is a two-year-old Siamese cat who puts the household dachshunds in their place. When he's not melting hearts with those fabulous eyes, Trey likes to catch some rays and hang out near his scratching post. All in all, it's a sweet life for a sweet boy.

Congratulations Trey, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Meet Java, Our January Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Java, our January Pet of the Month!

Java is an eight-month-old cutie pie whose humble beginnings are about as humble as beginnings get - he was found in a garbage can. When his family was given the opportunity to adopt him, they couldn't resist his wide eyes and non-stop snuggles. During his recent boarding visit, he spent far more time in laps than in his kennel. It was not easy for our team to give him back!

Congratulations, Java and share with all your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!

What's a kennel?

November Is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Pet Cancer Awareness Month
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is one of the most common conditions diagnosed by veterinarians, affecting nearly one in four dogs at some point in their lives. While cancer is less common in cats, our feline companions are more likely to suffer from aggressive, and less treatable forms of the disease.

One of the more commonly seen forms of cancer in pets is breast cancer. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest forms of cancer to prevent. A female dog who is spayed before her first heat cycle has a .6% chance of developing breast cancer later in life. A dog spayed after her first heat cycle has an 8% chance of developing breast cancer. And the breast cancer risk for dogs who are spayed after their third heat cycle is a whopping 65%.

Recent research suggests delaying spay/neuter procedures on large-breed dogs until they are fully grown can reduce their chances of developing orthopedic problems later in life. Since both threats are very real concerns, the pros and cons of each decision should be discussed with your veterinarian.  That said, the best prevention against canine and feline breast cancer is to have your pet spayed in accordance with your veterinarian's recommendation.

Meet Binx, Our November Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Binx, our November pet of the month.

Binx was abandoned on Halloween - arguably the worst day for a black kitten to be wandering the streets. While Halloween can be fun for people, black cats are often targeted for cruel Halloween pranks.

After being scooped up by Dr. Kupkee, fully vetted, and given a clean bill of health, Binx was introduced to our new neighbors at Pizza Project. The result was an instant love connection. Today, Binx is snuggling with his new family in his forever home.

Congratulations Binx, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Preparing Your Pets For Hurricane Season

It’s that time of the year, Miami.  We know what we’re supposed to do every June, and I’ll be the first to admit that for the past few years, I was shamefully lackadaisical in the hurricane planning department. Irma was a jarring wake-up call for me, and I suspect I am not alone. So let’s talk storm preparedness!

As many of us know, South Florida has hurricane shelters which allow you to bring your pets. What many people do not know, however, is that only some of our shelters are pet-friendly, and your pets must be registered ahead of time. For information on pre-registration, please contact animal services at http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/disaster-preparedness.asp.  Since spaces are limited, do this now if you would like to use this service.

When preparing your hurricane supply list, don’t forget about your pets. Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and bottled water for your pets, and double check the contents of the pet first aid kit. Be sure to refill their supplements and prescription medications. Decide where your pet will ride out a storm and have plenty of toys to keep him occupied. In Miami, hurricane preparation is a fact of life. It’s a small price to pay for living in the vibrant, sunny, diverse metropolis we are privileged enough to call home.

Grendel is ready for storm season!
Photograph by Joan Saperstein at PetStar Photography

Meet Oliver, Our March Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Oliver - our March Pet Of The Month!

Oliver is a two-year-old Russian Blue who was abandoned by his owner just days before Christmas Eve. While we can only imagine how betrayed he must have felt, no Grinch was going to steal his Christmas - a holiday angel stepped up to the plate and gave Oliver the forever home of his dreams. Of course, his new mom thinks she hit the jackpot, so we'll just call it a win-win.

Congratulations Oliver, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Oliver scored a new home for the  holidays! 

Canine Flu-Watch 2018

This year, humans aren’t the only ones at risk from the misery of influenza. The newest strain of Canine Influenza Virus, strain H3N2, is causing serious problems for our colleagues and fellow pet parents in other parts of the country. As of this writing, the more serious outbreaks are being reported in a handful of states, including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Washington, and California. One animal hospital in the San Francisco Bay area has seen over 50 cases since the beginning of 2018.

H3N2 was first identified in 2015 after an outbreak in Chicago. This particular strain was originally an avian virus which mutated and began to affect dogs. While several cats have been infected, their risk for falling ill is very low. At this time, it is believed humans are NOT at risk from contracting the flu from their pets. Our hospital treated roughly a half-dozen cases last year, and we have yet to see any for 2018.  That said, the country is experiencing record cold temperatures, and South Florida is expected to enjoy a robust tourist season as our neighbors to the north and west seek refuge from the bitter cold. It stands to reason that many travellers will bring their dogs - and potentially the flu - along with them.

Clinical signs of H3N2 include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, inappetence, fever and lethargy. Should you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, please see your veterinarian as soon as possible. There is a vaccine available to prevent H3N2. Our two dachshunds received the first doses to arrive at the hospital. The vaccine is safe and effective, and we are recommending it for any dogs who frequent grooming salons, kennels, dog parks, dog shows, training facilities, doggie day care centers, or any spaces where multiple dogs are present. Additionally, we are advising owners of brachycephalic  or “smush-faced” breeds to consider vaccinating. H3N2 becomes pneumonia in over 95% of cases, and has a 10% mortality rate. Sickened pets may need to be hospitalized for extended periods of time, leading to costly and unexpected veterinary bills. Now is therefore a good time to talk to your pet’s veterinarian, and determine if the vaccine is recommended for your individual pet. 

Meet Baxter, our February Pet of the Month!

This February, our Valentine Sweetie/Pet of the Month is Baxter!

At sixteen years young, this sassy senior is still the apple of his momma's eye. He loves coming to see Dr. Kupkee and all of his friends here at the clinic. No matter how busy we may be, there's always time for a snuggle and a selfie with our Vintage Valentine. And if he's not in the mood for a portrait, we can count on his his goofy brother for a photobomb!

Congratulations, Baxter and share with all your friends - you're our Valentine and our February Pet of the Month!

Always such a good boy - even when his brother steals his thunder!

A Runner's Guide To Off-Leash Dogs

If getting into shape is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you may be one of the many Americans who decide to take up running. And it won’t take you long to realize there are many dog owners who seem to think leash laws do not apply to them! While I am in no way giving these inconsiderate folks a pass, forewarned is forearmed. And knowing what triggers a dog’s chasing behavior can prevent a bite or attack. While we may love our dogs like family, it is important to remember that first and foremost, they are animals. Perhaps more importantly, they are predators. Predators chase prey. And prey runs.

Simply put, running, along with skateboarding, biking, or any activity involving rapid movement, can ignite a dog’s prey drive. If you are approached by a dog while out on a run, the first thing to do is stop running. When we teach young children how to react to an approaching dog, we tell them to “be a tree.” Relax, but hold still. Do not touch the dog, speak to it, or make eye contact. If the dog does not retreat, or it’s behavior worsens, give it a familiar command such as sit, stay, off, or go home. Remember, this is a command - use a strong, authoritative tone, but continue to avoid eye contact as some dogs see it as a challenge. Do not move erratically or scream. These are the behaviors of prey animals. Behaving like prey can cause the dog to continue to perceive you as prey. To help avoid such a close encounter, try running with a marine air horn. If you feel threatened by a dog, give it a blast. Few dogs have ever encountered this sound, and while it’s likely to terrify them, it is harmless. This should give you enough time to get out of the area. And do have a word with the dog’s owner. Off-leash dogs are dangerous and illegal, and leash laws apply to everyone.

"GO HOME!"

The Hype About Flu

The Hype About Flu!

What You Need To Know About H3N2!

The recent H3N2 outbreak in Central Florida has alarmed many pet owners. Here is some information on what you should know.

• 

  Ace recovering from an upper respiratory infection.

  The H3N2 virus was first discovered in Chicago, Illinois in 2015. Since then the virus has been found in more than 30 states, including Florida.
• In December 2015, Merck released the first H3N2 vaccine.
• PLEASE NOTE: the H3N8 vaccine, either from Merck or Zoetis, does NOT offer cross protection against the H3N2 virus. It is a different strain altogether.
• The vaccine may not 100% prevent the virus, but it will offer more protection than not vaccinating at all. If a vaccinated dog contracts H3N2, it will not last as long and the symptoms will not be as serious.
• The virus can survive in the environment for up to 24 hours but is easily killed with soap and water.
• The best way to prevent your dog from getting the virus would be to vaccinate against the H3N2 virus AND to limit your dog’s exposure to areas that they may socialize with other dogs like dog parks, day care, shelters, pet stores, dog shows, social events, etc.  
• Testing is available if your dog shows signs of coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, and lethargy. PLEASE avoid contact with other pets if your dog shows these symptoms.
• The H3N2 virus can infect cats, but not humans. There is currently no vaccine for cats.
• Treatment involves supportive care, cough suppressants and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection. Some dogs contract pneumonia secondary to H3N2 and require hospitalization.

The University of Florida has detailed information for pet owners here. https://vetmed-hospitals.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/files/2017/05/Info-for-Pet-Owners-on-Canine-Influenza-1.pdf

Here at Sabal Chase Animal Clinic, we have been offering the H3N2 vaccine since it first came out in 2015. At that time, we made it a mandatory vaccine for all of our boarders.

If you wish to schedule an appointment to get your dog vaccinated for H3N2, please call us as soon as possible so we can accommodate you. If this is the first time your dog has received this vaccine (or if your dog was not previously boostered), they will need to return in 2-3 weeks for a 2nd vaccination.

Surviving Your Puppy's Adolescence

Surviving Your Puppy's Adolescence

It’s no secret that raising a puppy requires copious amounts of both time and patience.  Chewing, crying, destructiveness, demands for attention, and potty-training mishaps are all just par for the course.  But they’re sooooo cute! And the difficult phase only lasts few months, right? Wrong. Once your new edition is finished being a puppy, he enters a new, and often far more maddening phase of development: adolescence. Starting anywhere between nine and twelve months of age, that sweet little puppy will become - gasp! - a teenager.

Like human teenagers, adolescent dogs may test the resolve of their superiors. They often revert to the types of behaviors we thought they had long outgrown.  Like the rebellious, back-talking teen-aged child, teen-aged puppies often leave us scratching our heads, wondering where we went wrong. Obnoxious puppy behaviors such as play biting and jumping on guests may return with a vengeance. This is when behaviors such as growling, food guarding, and blatant disobedience of commands tend to appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is also when dogs are most commonly surrendered to shelters. Unaware of the existence of this challenging phase, many people assume they have either failed as dog owners, or are stuck with a “bad dog.”  These scenarios are rarely the case. The solution to the Terrible Teens is a combination of consistency, patience, and preparation. Do your research on canine adolescence as soon as you bring your puppy home. As with most other situations, you’ll be happy to have a plan when you need one.

Zohan at 14 months. He swears he wasn't eating the Halloween pumpkin, but note the debris field on the floor near his tail...

Goodbye, Tilikum

Goodbye, Tilikum

By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Last year, SeaWorld announced that Tilikum, the killer whale featured in the documentary “Blackfish”, was gravely ill.   A video statement was given by his veterinarian.  I was not in a place where I could turn up the volume, but it didn’t matter.  The look on his face said it all.  His patient was dying, and there was nothing he could do.  I’ve been there myself, and  I know that look.

I was not going to write this piece.  It’s a sad story with a sad ending, but that wasn’t the cause of my reticence. I held back because, like most sad stories, Tilikum’s is complicated.  So too is the gamut of emotions that are stirred when the arc of such a story nears its end.

The outpouring of emotion on social media, however, was immediate and intense.  Amidst all the expressions of sorrow, anger, and heartache, one comment in particular caught my eye:

“Violent, savage monster.  Good riddance.”

Emboldened, another commentator chimed in, “Seriously. They’re called ‘killer’ whales for a reason.”

Perhaps it was a similar, latent sentiment that was causing me to drag my feet.  Tilikum was involved in the deaths of three people.  For the loved ones they left behind, those broken families, this news cycle will be especially painful.  We must not let our compassion for Tilikum displace empathy for our fellow man.

That being said, there is another broken family in this tragic tale. It’s a closely-knit family of sentient beings, swimming through Icelandic waters.  It’s a family that watched in agony as one its youngest was corralled into a net, and flown to the hell that is, for orcas, captivity.  Years later, the calf who cried for his mother would make headlines as the beast whose rage took the life of someone who loved him dearly. Such rage is the product of captivity. It is the bastard child of isolation from family, and crippling silence, conditions orcas were never meant to endure. Dawn Brancheau’s autopsy lists blunt force trauma and drowning as the official causes of her death.  But ultimately, it was captivity that killed her.  The silence took her, just as it took Tilikum the moment he was torn from the sea.

Some of Tilikum’s followers have vowed to meet him at the Rainbow Bridge someday.  For those of you who have never lost a pet, the Rainbow Bridge is a place in Heaven where the souls of the departed are reunited with the souls of the beloved pets who passed before us.  

Tilikum will not be there. He was not a pet, and while we may have taken him, he never belonged to us.  I pray his final performance will be to leap over the mythical Rainbow Bridge, and swim as far as possible from even the most sainted, and immortal human hands.  We destroyed him in this life.  May his life eternal be free of us at last.

“Violent, savage monster.  Good riddance.”

Perhaps, as he begins his journey, he is thinking the same of humanity.

As I struggled with how to end this piece, I asked my wife if she thought there was a Heaven for Tilikum.

“Um, yeah,” she scoffed, without missing a beat.  “It’s called the ocean.”

And there it is.

I found my final wishes for Tilikum in a book of ancient Celtic prayers:

“May the clarity of light be yours.

May the fluency of the ocean be yours.

May the protection of the ancestors be yours.”

Safe journey, Tilikum.  Don’t stop at the Bridge; we don’t deserve you. Peace and rest await you. Perhaps the silence has you still, but softly at first, you will start to hear the budding of eternal sound.  

Your ancestors call to you.  No man will follow.  The ocean’s vast embrace is yours again.

Only this time, it’s forever.

Dr. Kupkee is the lead practitioner at Sabal Chase Animal Clinic http://sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/home.html in Miami, Florida.

Orca image courtesy of Pixabay Free Images

Meet Cookie, Our January Pet Of The Month!

This month, we're kicking off 2017 by naming Cookie our January Pet of the Month. Cookie is a thirteen-year-old brown tabby cat who was adopted from a shelter when she was eight years old. Senior cats are often left to languish in shelters while

prospective adopters search for kittens. While kittens are adorable, it's important to remember that these little buggers can be a lot of work. Their boundless energy and demands for attention can try the patience of busy pet owners. A senior cat may be the perfect fit, and adopting one is more likely to save a life. Cookie not only avoided an uncertain future, it appears she's hit the forever home jackpot!

Congratulations, Cookie, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Pets and Fireworks

The busiest intake day for shelters around the country is July 5th. Estimates run as high as 30 - 60%, with a shelter in Massachusetts reporting an 80% uptick on July 5th, 2014. If those statistics aren’t sobering enough, here are some more. Less than 13% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are ever reunited with the families that lose them. Simply put, fireworks are so terrifying for pets, that many of them will bolt from the house in a blind panic to escape what they perceive as an artillery barrage. Our pets do not understand our fascination with fireworks, and their hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Let’s face it - fireworks are explosions! Is it any wonder that our pets don’t like them?

As the fireworks get started, place cats in a separate room with lots of hiding places. Leave closet doors open, allow access to areas under beds and behind furniture, and make it abundantly clear to guests that this room is off-limits. Consider crating or boarding anxious dogs if you cannot confine them to a separate part of the house. Turn on the television or some classical music to drown out the noise, and provide them with interesting activities to occupy their minds. For cats, try food puzzles or an interactive toy. Dogs are often content with a Kong toy that has been stuffed with canned food and placed in the freezer. These “popsicles” keep our dogs busy for hours. Do not bring dogs to fireworks displays, as they are likely to panic and get away from their handlers.  If your pet has a history of fireworks anxiety, consider asking your vet for some anti-anxiety medications.  These can take several weeks to achieve the desired results, so do this now, while you still have time to plan ahead.

                                             Zohan's ready to rock the 4th in his "safe space"!

Finding Newborn Kittens

Spring in South Florida brings a baby boom, not just amongst wild animals, but free-roaming outdoor cats as well.  It is not unusual to find litters of newborn kittens on and around our properties at this time of  year.  If you stumble upon such a litter, the first thing to do is determine if they have been abandoned or dumped.  Stray and feral cats have no choice but to leave their litters for extended periods of time to find food.  Observe the litter for about three hours, and if the mother cat does not return, you may have to intervene.  If she does return, it is best to let her care for the kittens until they are fully weaned.  This takes roughly eight weeks from the time of birth.  Hand rearing kittens involves mixing formula, bottle feeding, scheduled feedings, and sleepless nights.  And without putting too fine a point on it, the other end of the kitten must be cared for as well! If possible, it’s best to let the mother cat do this for you. If the litter has been dumped, or if the mother cat does not return, visit www.AlleyCat.org for detailed information on caring for neonatal kittens.  Most importantly, ask for help.  These are the times when we find out who are friends truly are!

If you have an outdoor cat, or are feeding a neighborhood stray, you can prevent this scenario by having the cat spayed or neutered. Female cats can begin having litters as early as five months of age!  And nursing mother cats can become pregnant before her current litter is even weaned.  Miami Dade Animal Services provides low-cost spays and neuters for stray and feral cats.  You can also gain access to low-cost care by contacting The Cat Network at www.thecatnetwork.org.