THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS PAST SUNDAY!!!!

A big thank you goes out to all the wonderful people and their pets who took the time out of this busy holiday season to come out and make a donation toward a great organization (Canine Partners For Life). In total we were able to raise over $500 in only a few short hours and everyone here had a great time hosting the event.

Were you able to stop by for Pictures With Santa?  What did you think? Are their any improvements we can implement to make next year an even bigger success?  Leave a comment and let us hear your thoughts!

UPDATE: Photos from this event can be found at http://www.clocksforseeing.com/santa2011.
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Reminder: Pictures With Santa This Coming Sunday!

Just a friendly reminder that Santa will be here at the hospital on Sunday 12/4 from 11:00AM - 2:00PM.  Stop by and say HI!


What to expect:  Fun!  A complimentary 4x6 photo of you with Santa!  Free snacks and refreshments!   Professional photography by Clocks For Seeing Photography.

This is a fund raising event.  Each year our doctors choose a local group or organization that we feel deserves a little extra recognition for the services they provide to the community.

This year, all donations will go to Canine Partners For Life, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to training service dogs. home companion dogs and residential companion dogs to assist individuals who have a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.  Come out and help support a great organization!


Donations are not required to participate but are greatly appreciated.  If you would like to donate we are suggesting a $10 donation to have your picture taken with Santa.

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'Pictures With Santa' Returns To The Animal Clinic at Thorndale!

Where: Right here at the clinic!
431 Bondsville Rd. Downingtown, PA 19335

When: Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Time: 11:00AM - 2:00PM

What to expect:  Fun!  A complimentary 4x6 photo of you with Santa!  Snacks and refreshments will be provided!

Donations: Donations are not required to participate.  However, if you would like to donate we are suggesting a $10 donation to have your picture taken with Santa.

This is a fund raising event.  Each year our doctors choose a local group or organization that we feel deserves a little extra recognition for the services they provide to the community.  This year, all donations will go to Canine Partners For Life, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to training service dogs. home companion dogs and residential companion dogs to assist individuals who have a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.  Come out and help support a great organization!

All photography will be provided compliments of Clocks For Seeing Photography.

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HALLOWEEN CONTEST 2011 WINNERS!!!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2011 Animal Clinic at Thorndale's Halloween Pet Photo Contest!  We had a great time viewing all the submissions this year and all the great outfits made it very tough to choose a winner for each category.  This year's winners will receive a toy of their choice and a gift certificate good for one free exam.

Hit the jump to find all the winning entries.

Most Original:

"Shadow" and "Stormy" Worrall

Cutest: (A two way tie!)

"Chase" Gindhart

and

"Layla" Murphy

Scariest: 

"Zeus" and "Puppy Barker" DiSanti

Celebrity Look-A-Like: 

"Sasha" Reed

Owner Look-A-Like: 

"Bally" Disney

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Halloween Safety

Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Halloween can be fun and festive for people, but for pets it can also be dangerous. Here are some tips from the AVMA to help you ensure that your pet has a happy and safe Halloween...

1. Don't leave your pet outside unattended on Halloween (or on the days preceding or following this holiday). Halloween pranks committed against pets can be vicious, and black cats are particularly at risk.

2. Halloween treats are for people, not pets. Candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed and chocolate can be poisonous for some types of pets.

3. Keep pumpkins out of reach of curious noses and paws. Pets may knock over a lit pumpkin and cause a fire.

4. Despite how much fun it is for people, many pets don't enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween. If you do dress your pet, be sure that its costume doesn't interfere with the pet's ability to breathe, see, hear, move, or bark.

5. Consider keeping your pet in a separate room, away from the door, when trick-or-treaters arrive. Strange people in even stranger clothes can frighten some pets.

6. When you do answer the door for visitors, make sure that your pet doesn't suddenly head for the great outdoors. In case your pet does escape, make sure that it is wearing proper identification. Pets with identification are much more likely to be returned to their owners.

For more information and tips about holiday safety for pets, call or visit your family veterinarian. Remember, your veterinarian is your very best source for advice on keeping your pet safe, healthy, and happy!

*All pet safety tips provided by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

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2011 Pet Halloween Contest!

The Animal Clinic at Thorndale is now accepting entries for their Annual Halloween Pet Photo Contest!

One winning contestant from each category will be chosen and awarded a prize!

How To Enter:

All photos should be submitted to our office by October 25, 2011.

You can submit your photo in person at the front desk or by emailing us at animalclinicatthorndale@verizon.net.

Categories:

• Most original
• Cutest
• Scariest
• Celebrity look-a-like
• Owner look-a-like
• Sports fan

The winning entry in each category will be chosen by popular vote among the doctors and staff.

Don't forget to submit your photo by October 25th!!! Read more...

Today Is World Rabies Awareness Day!

Rabies is a preventable but fatal disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. It is spread through contact with the blood or saliva of an infected animal and can be found worldwide. While most rabies cases reported in the US are from wild animals such raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes the disease can also affect domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, horses and sheep. The fact that our pets can catch the disease and potentially pass it to us is one of a multitude of reasons why it is so important to keep our pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

Although the whole month of September is generally dedicated to raising rabies awareness worldwide the official date of observance is not until the 28th of the month.. If interested you can find further information about the disease and how it's spread can be prevented  by checking out the World Rabies Day Website. Read more...

National Pet Memorial Day

Words cannot describe the sense of loss we feel when our faithful friend dies. It is often one of life's most heart-wrenching experiences. Recognizing the importance of remembering our cherished pets, the second Sunday of September is the official National Pet Memorial Day. This is a day set aside to remember our departed companions and special members of our family.

One of the things many of us find helpful is to remember and honor the memory of our pets on an annual basis. And the advantage of a day like National Pet Memorial Day, rather than the date of their death, is that we are likely to find solace among others who share the same feelings as we do.

For 2011, National Pet Memorial Day is September 11th.
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Summer Hazards For Pets

Hooray for Summer! But the bright, sunny days of summer can also bring with them potential problems for your pets.  Below is a list of various summer-time hazards to which your pet may be exposed and their relative toxicities.

*Please remember that regardless of toxicity level you should always contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests any of the following substances.

Low toxicity:
-Glow jewelry
-Most N-P-K fertilizers
-Plain Bone meal
-Mosquito coils or Dunks
-Charcoal briquettes
-Termite stakes, ant baits, yard insecticides, and roach baits

Moderate toxicity:
-Charcoal lighter fluids
-Moldy items from trash
-Yard or compost pile
-Diazinon or chlorpyrifos granules
-DEET-containing insect repellants
-Citronella lamps/torches
-Some Spring blooming bulbs

High toxicity:

-Pool chemicals
-Metaldehyde
-Zinc phosphide
-Methomyl
-Disulfoton
-Rodenticides

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10 Steps To Help Prevent Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonosis
Definition: Any infectious disease that can be passed from non-human animals to humans.

Zoonotic... even the word sounds scary. And when combined with names like rabies, lyme or salmonella it almost always elicits a reaction.  Luckily zoonotic diseases don't have to be as scary as they sound as long as we follow a few simple safety guidelines. 

Curious to find out what the top 10 ways to prevent zoonotic diseases are? Hit the jump to find out.

1. Schedule annual veterinary visits for your pet, which should include fecal examinations.
2. Keep your pet on year-round monthly parasite prevention, as recommended by your veterinarian.
3. Keep pets indoors or supervised to discourage hunting, and do not feed pets raw or undercooked meals.
4. Wash your hands frequently, especially after handling animals and working outdoors.  Be sure your children wash their hands after playing outside.
5. Wash any wounds, even small nicks and cuts, promptly and thoroughly.
6. Clean cats' litter boxes daily, wearing gloves, and always wash your hands immediately afterwards.  (Though if you're pregnant, you should avoid cleaning litter boxes altogether.  Have someone else do it for you.)
7. Avoid approaching, touching or handling stray animals.
8. Cover children's sandboxes when they're not in use.
9. Always wear gloves when gardening.
10. Protect yourself from ticks by covering your body with a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat.  Check for ticks after hiking, playing or working in tick-infested environments.  Also consider using repellants.
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This week is National Pet Week.

Help us celebrate the special bonds we share with our pets by leaving us a comment about what you love most about YOUR pets!

To find out more about National Pet Week visit PetWeek.org.
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Lyme Prevalence In Chester County

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Spring Hazards for Pets

Spring is a time of year we all look forward to. The weather gets warmer, flowers start to bloom and we are invigorated with new life.  Some common activities at this time of year may include spring cleaning, planting, opening swimming pools, de-winterizing campers or cabins, Easter celebrations, and cook outs. While a lot of fun, these activities can also bring with them some potential problems for your pets.  Below is a list of various spring-time hazards to which your pet may be exposed and their relative toxicities.

*Please remember that regardless of toxicity level you should always contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests any of the following substances.

Low toxicity:
-N-P-K fertilizers
(no added insecticide or herbicide; iron level < 1%)

-Herbicides containing glyphosate

-Bone meal
(with no added insecticide or herbicide)

-Charcoal briquettes
(unused, no added lighter fluids)

Moderate toxicity:
-Spring blooming bulbs

-Chocolate

High toxicity:
-Pool chemicals

-Easter lilies (cats)

-Antifreeze

-Disulfoton (disyston) containing systemic insecticides


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It's National Puppy Day!

So go find a pup and give it a hug!

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Poison Prevention Awareness Month

It's every pet owners worst nightmare.  You come home from a long day at work only to find Rascal with a sheepish look on his face and one of your medicine vials chewed up on the floor.  Immediately you are presented with a multitude of questions, some of which you may not be able to readily answer.  What was in the medicine vial?  How harmful is it?  How much did Rascal ingest?  How long has it been since he got into it?  What should you do next?

Hit the jump to find out answers to all these questions as well as a list of the top five pet related poisons of 2010.

Top 5 Pet Poisons of 2010:
1. Human Medications
-With a readily available supply human medications top the list of causes for pet poisonings in 2010.
2. Insecticides
-Products in this category are often used to remove unwanted guests of the crawling and flying kind.  They are also used to control fleas and ticks.  The most commonly reported cases of poisoning involve cats receving products they shouldn't.  ALWAYS READ THE LABEL BEFORE USING ANY MEDICATIONS!
3. Rodenticides
-These poisons are often used in bait traps for mice and rats, with the key word being bait.  A bait works by pretending it is something tasty to eat and if it it seems tasty to a mouse or rat it can do the same for a cat or dog.
4. Human Foods
-Grapes. Onions. Avoacdos. Chocloate.  Many of the foods we love to eat can actually be harmful to our pets.  To avoid unnecessary accidents please try to only give your pet foods and treats that have been labeled as safe for them to eat.
5. Veterinary Medications
-Veterinary prescribed medications are often flavored to make them more palatable to our pets.  If your pet likes that flavor then we need to make sure they don't ingest a larger dose than your veterinarian recommends.

What to do if you suspect your pet has been poisoned:
1. Contact your veterinarian immediately!
Be ready with the following information:
-The species, age, weight, sex and number of animals involved
-Any symptoms that may be present
-Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
-If possible, have the product container/packaging available for reference.
2. If unable to contact your veterinarian you should call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline.
1-888-426-4435

To find out more information about some potentially harmful substances your pet may come in contact with check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Website.
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Vaccinations: Keeping Your Pets Protected

Each year when we bring our pets in for their annual wellness visits they get a physical exam, possibly some bloodwork run and their all important vaccinations. But just what vaccines are really necessary? Why are some more important than others? Why do some vaccines last for only a year while others for longer? It can be a lot to absorb at one time, especially when being bombarded with all the information you typically receive while visiting the veterinarian. To help simplify the topic of your pets and their vaccines we have provided a quick refresher on what vaccines are available and why they are important.

*It is important to remember that all vaccinations carry a minimal risk of adverse reaction. Depending on your pet’s age, health, and history of previous vaccination reactions, your veterinarian may request you pre-medicate your pet and/or that only one vaccination be given at a time.

In the most general terms vaccines can be classified as either Core Vaccinations or Non-Core Vaccinations. Core vaccinations are recommended for almost all pets. The frequency of vaccination with the core vaccines will depend on your pet’s age, health, and life style.

Core Vaccinations: A rabies vaccination is required for all cats and dogs by Pennsylvania State Law. The first vaccination is to be given when the puppy or kitten is at least 12 weeks of age. The vaccination must be boostered 1 year later, and then at least every three years thereafter (when using a 3 year approved vaccine).  Some practices may recommend re-vaccinating every other year if you live in an area with a high rabies risk.  For dogs, the distemper combination, (DA2PP), and, for cats, the upper respiratory combination, (FCVRC), are also considered core vaccinations. Puppies and kittens need a series of boosters, spaced 3-4 weeks apart, to be considered fully protected.  Most puppies and kittens receive their first distemper vaccination at 6 weeks of age and their last one around 16 weeks of age.  Booster distemper vaccinations are then given on a yearly schedule.

However, recent studies suggest the protection from these vaccines may last longer in pets who are good responders. Because every vaccination procedure carries a minimal risk, if you wish to have these booster vaccinations be given every other to every third year, your veterinarian may recommend a yearly blood test to determine if the antibody level in your pet is high enough to provide sufficient protection. For pets with minimal exposure to these diseases, decreasing the frequency of vaccination simply makes sense.

Non-Core vaccinations: (Feline Leukemia virus, Lyme disease, and Bordetella, or kennel cough) are recommended based on your pet’s life style (e.g. outside cats, dogs with high tick exposures, dogs going to groomers, training classes, dog shows, or boarding facilities). These vaccinations require yearly boosters after their initial series to remain effective though they can be discontinued at any time if you feel your pet will no longer be needing them.  Be sure to inform your veterinarian if your pet is at risk for these diseases so they can vaccinate your pet appropriately.

Please remember it is important to discuss all aspects of your pet’s lifestyle with with your veterinarian to assure your pet gets the care they need. Together, you and your veterinarian can determine the best vaccination schedule for your pet.
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Speedlinks: February 9, 2011

Your portal to the most interesting, absurd, and unbelievable animal stories in the news today.


1. Dog Breeds I've Recently Seen:
Labrador retriever. Check.
Husky. Check.
Xoloitzcuintli. Che- Wait! What?
Follow the link to see three new breeds that were recently added to the AKC.

2. Has your veterinarian ever told you that your pet needs to eat better? Well it seems more and more people are taking that advice and doing something about it.

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Giardia: The Tiny Bug That Makes Fido (And Us) Mighty Sick

Some Facts About Giardia:
-Giardia is the most common nonbacterial cause of diarrhea in the United States.
-Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites worldwide, infecting up to 20 percent of the world's population.
-Giardia is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions.
-Giardia infections are more common in children than in adults.

What Is Giardia:
Giardia are sometimes confused with worms because they invade the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea. They are not worms; instead, they are one-celled parasites classified as protozoa.

Most dogs that are infected with Giardia do not have diarrhea or any other signs of illness. When the eggs (cysts) are found in the stool of a dog without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding. However, in puppies and debilitated adult dogs, they may cause severe, watery diarrhea that may be fatal.

Infection:
A dog becomes infected with Giardia when it swallows the cyst stage of the parasite. Once inside the dog's intestine, the cyst goes through several stages of maturation. Eventually, the dog is able to pass infective cysts in the stool. These cysts lie in the environment and can infect other dogs. They may also be transmitted through drinking infected water.

Diagnosis:
Giardiasis is sometimes diagnosed by performing a microscopic examination of a stool sample. The cysts are quite small and usually require a special floatation medium for detection, so they are not normally found on routine fecal examinations. Occasionally, the parasites may be seen on a direct smear of the feces. A blood test is also available for detection of antigens (cell proteins) of Giardia in the blood. This test is probably more accurate than the stool exam, but it requires several days to get a result from the laboratory performing the test.

None of the tests for giardiasis are completely accurate. Therefore, some veterinarians choose to treat the dog with one of the safe and very effective medications. If successful, this approach will eliminate the parasite even though a confirmed diagnosis is not made.

Transmission to Humans:
Giardia can also cause diarrhea in humans. Therefore, environmental disinfection is important. The use of chlorine bleach, one cup in a gallon (500 ml in 4 liters) of water, is effective if the surfaces and premises can be safely treated with it.
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250 Years And Better Than Ever!

2011 is a special year for veterinary medicine.  It marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the first school dedicated solely to teaching veterinary medicine. Although there are records of individuals providing animal care and treatment dating back as far as 1900 B.C. it wasn't until the opening of the first veterinary school in Lyon, France in 1761 that the veterinary profession was officially "born".  A lot has changed in the field since that time but one thing has remained constant... the compassionate and dedicated care your veterinarian offers your pets.

Further information about this worldwide event can be found by visiting the American Veterinary Medical Aassociation's official website. Read more...