Fleas and Ticks are seen on our pets more in the fall just before the first freeze. Why? As the weather cools down fleas especially try to find a home for the winter and target our pets going outside. Those fleas not finding a home will hibernate until next spring. Dogs or cats outside will bring fleas into the household and transfer them to our indoor pets. It is common to see our indoor pets begin to itch in October, November or December, for this reason. Fleas live in green grass during the summer, jump up and bite our pets for a blood meal. This means to make sure our pets are treated with Frontline Plus (kills ticks, fleas and flea eggs) or Revolution (kills fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, some intestinal worms, and heartworms) during the season. If traveling to warm climates this winter reapply the preventatives to avoid transmission. These can be purchased at the clinic a dose at a time if you like.
Heartworm
Heartworm preventatives are now recommended year round. If using Revolution you don't need flea protection after the freeze. You can use chewable products Heartgard, or Interceptor which are available at the clinic by the dose if you like. A negative heartworm test is required annually before sale to ensure the Manufacturers Guarantee. What is the Manufacturers Guarantee?
Manufacturers Guarantee
Each manufacturer of heartworm preventatives guarantees that if your dog or cat is diagnosed with heartworm while on their preventative they will pay for treatment. This requires the product be purchased from a licensed veterinarian. A negative heartworm test within the year of diagnosis with purchase of preventative is required. Unless administered to pets under 6 months of age. Purchase of preventatives on line will void this guarantee.
Snow & Salt
During ice and snow season, our city places salt on the roads and sidewalks. This may be very harmful to our pets feet. Protect them with boots or cleanse them with luke warm water when exposed to this salt. Drying and cracking feet which is painful is a clear sign the dog has been exposed.
Treats
Treats for your dog or cat are fine, but remember to account for this in the daily food requirement. I tell owners to look for treats that supplement things like 0mega 3-Fatty Acids for the skin, dental treats to aid in keeping teeth clean and treats with fiber can help your pet with intestinal issues.
Urinary Tract "Problems"
What is a urinary tract problem and how does it happen? In dogs, I ask owners are you working longer hours or unable to walk your dog as often? The time between walkings can help determine the cause. Bacteria swim up the urethra from the outside to the bladder causing an infection. Urine is sterile when produced by the kidney and if expressed, the urethra will be flushed clean. The urethra in the male is longer (length) than in a female so more infections are seen in females. Urine pH in dogs and cats is more acidic 5.0 to 6.5 because of their diet and with changing trends in foods this has changed making urine pH's higher or more basic. If a pH of 7.0 is neutral and 7.5-8.5 is basic, bacteria will colonize easier in basic urine than in acidic urine. Also, common crystal formation in urine is seen more in basic urine (struvite crystals) which can lead to stone formation. So basic urine can predispose your pet to more urinary tract problems both crystal formation and infections.
Dog Friendly Area Information and Requirements
The Chicago Park District currently operates several "Dog Friendly Areas" sometimes referred to as "Dog Parks" where dogs can exercise, play and socialize "off-leash".
In order to visit these parks the City of Chicago requires dog owners to show proof of the following:
a) Current or applied for a City Dog License and proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. So display your rabies tag on the collar at all times.
b) Examination within the past year for any communicable diseases including an examination of a stool specimen for internal parasites.
c) Current vaccination or titer, if possible for DHPPDistemper, Hepatitis, Para-influenza, Parvovirus, and Bordatella (kennel cough) unless an exemption to this requirement has been granted by the Administrator upon the written recommendation from the owner's veterinarian.
You can obtain all of the above-required vaccinations and tests at Clark-N-Oak Animal Health Center the fee for the tag is $6.00 and is good for a calendar year from January 1st to December 31st. These are also the requirements for our Day Care, Boarding and Grooming facilities in the city. Should you require any additional information please feel free to visit the Chicago Park District's website:
If you see or suspect animal abuse please contact:
911 if you see animal abuse or fighting in progress. You can remain anonymous.
311 if you suspect animal abuse or animal fighting. You can remain anonymous. If you have witnessed animal abuse or activities related to animal fighting you can leave a message for the Police Department's unit for addressing crimes involving animals: Animal Crimes Unit, 312 746-7141
After calling 911 or 311 as appropriate, you may also wish to call: Cook County Crime Stoppers Hotline (1-800-535-STOP(7867)) to provide information about dog fighting. All reports are anonymous. Tips can make you eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
Only two Chicago facilities are currently approved to hold stray dogs:
Animal Care & Control is open daily from noon to 7 pm for people to look for their lost pets. Typically strays are scanned on arrival for a microchip and checked for a dog license and/or rabies tag. An identifiable pet owner will be notified by mail or phone. If an identified pet is not claimed by the owner within 7 days, the dog becomes the city's property. If a pet's owner cannot be identified within 5 days, the animal becomes the property of the city. If deemed adoptable, the dog or cat may be offered for adoption at Animal Care & Control or transferred to another shelter or rescue group.
Dog/Spay Neuter: Free and Low Cost Locations Options
We encourage our pet owners to spay or neuter pets and offer these services at our clinic. We do understand the expense is sometimes more than expected. Several organizations offer reduced rates because donations provide funds to defray the cost. Clients think we should match prices. My response is the support comes from donations given to these organizations and the costs are being reimbursed to the low cost clinic providing the service. We are trying to establish a fund that might provide similar savings, but its in the formative stages. The fact remains that it's a good practice to spay or neuter your pet and we support whatever facility to accomplish this.
Locations: If your pet is current on vaccinations this can reduce the time to get an appointment for spay or neuter. These vaccinations can be done at Clark-N-Oak Animal Health Center.
Chicago Animal Care & Control: 2741 S Western Ave 312 747-1406 or contact www.cityofchicago.org/animalcarecontrol Also ask about there Big Fix Program that on the last Wednesday of each month provides free spay/neuter to certain zip codes in areas with the highest stray animal populations.
The Anti-Cruelty Society: 157 W Grand Ave 312 644-8338 x347 or www.anitcruelty.org
PAWS Chicago Lurie Clinic: 3516 W 26th St 773 521-7729 or www.pawschicago.org
These facilities provide pain medications during and soon after these surgeries. You may want to provide additional pain management for the next several days. These can be purchased for your pet at Clark-N-Oak Animal Health Center. Just call 312 951-8000, to let us know the day of the surgery and we can provided these medications for the days after surgery. We can also update our records and change the rabies certificate to read spayed/neutered to apply for you Chicago City Dog License.
Zoonosis
Dog feces can carry zoonotic disease which can infect humans including: Salmonella: May cause upset stomach or more severe problems. Roundworms: Potentially causes a mild rash to more serious disease to the lungs or liver or even blindness. The CDC reports 10,000 cases of round worm infection annually in humans. Hookworm: A parasite that can be picked up by individuals that walk barefoot in contaminated areas. Campylobacteriosis: A bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea in humans. Giardiasis: A diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite. Once an animal or person has been infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time. This is why there is much concern about our pets and the health risks and preventative measures available to reduce transmission.
