San Tan Valley Vets

JUNE IS ADOPT A CAT MONTH!

2011-06-16T16:43:00.001-07:00

Need a place to go to Adopt a Cat?

Well, there are many. If you are interested in adopting a cat this month...... note, I didn't say "kitten", you will find them by the numbers in all Valley Rescues and Shelters.
Why? Because when most people consider adding a feline to their family, they think of a kitten.
Start from scratch, let it grow up with the kids, and so forth, and so forth.

Kittens vs Adult Cats (now kittens, don't get upset, you have a great deal of exposure already to be adopted so this month it's dedicated to your elders, if you will)

Kitten:

Exceptionally cute and funny, especially when they arch their backs, jump and hiss at imaginary prey.
Playful almost all the time. Never a dull moment with a kitten in the house
Expensive..... yes, their first year can be. You must prepare for all kitten vaccines which is a series beginning at about 8 weeks of age until they 4 months old.
Testing for FeLv and Fiv (Feline leukemia and kitty Aids.)
After the kitten stage you are really not sure what type of personality he or she will have. What if kitty decides he doesn't like kids or dogs? Maybe you have "attack kitty" on your hands. One that doesn't like to be petted without turning around and biting?

Adult Cat:

Older cats who are offered for adoption by shelters or rescue agencies generally have had some training in house manners.

Older cats have learned what "no" means and how to leave the leather furniture alone and use a Cat Scratcher. (If they hadn't learned that, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" cats.)

Aside from any advantages an older cat is there any good reason to adopt an older cat instead of a kitten, who has his whole life ahead of him?

Just about everyone who enters a shelter is looking for a kitten or a young cat (under 3 yrs old). An older cat has the rest of his life in front of him. You can give that older cat the best years of his life while at the same time bringing a wonderful addition into your family.
You also may want to remember that kittens can live for up to 20 years. If you don't have that long to commit to an older cat may be perfect for you!
Do older cats have any "special needs"?

Well........With a health assessment of the cat from a Shelter Representative, you will know whether any age-related conditions are present and you can take appropriate measures to address them. Otherwise, older cats need all the things younger cats do -- good nutrition, exercise (although less intensive, usually, than for a younger cat), and regular visits to the vet. Veterinary attention and medication are needed at all ages and may or may not be more costly for an older cat.
So, why Adopt a Cat? There are many adult cats who have spent years.... yes, I said YEARS in shelters that are passed up day after day, week after week because people want a "kitten".

Shelter Representatives pretty much have an idea of these cats tempermant and all personality traits and are really good at matching them to the appropriate home.

If you are ready to consider adopting an adult cat there are many Valley Shelters.
Below is a very well known Facility located in Gilbert.
They will be promoting the adopting of adult cats and senior pets this month.

Website: www.azfriends.org

DO INDOOR CATS NEED VACCINES?

2011-06-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

Veterinary Q&A: Vaccinations for indoor cats
Dr. Matt Mickas, of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, answers this week's question.

Question: If a cat remains indoors all the time, do they need the full slate of vaccinations or are there some we can safely omit?

Answer: This is a common concern. If people would like to see our entire recommendations for vaccines they can go to: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/vaccinations.aspx

If a cat is truly an indoor cat, there are only two of the three recommended vaccines we tell clients they need.

The first is a combination vaccine that goes by the acronym, FVRCP, which stands for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.

We use an intranasal form of the vaccine, given to kittens at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. It should be repeated annually thereafter. There are injectable vaccines for the same diseases that are considered to last three years. (This will be decided by your cats Veterinarian)

The second vaccine veterinarians universally recommend is for prevention of rabies. It is given at 12 to 16 weeks of age and repeated annually.

Question: Why do indoor cats need these vaccines?

Answer: We give these for two reasons: The diseases they prevent are devastating, if not fatal, and because we have very good vaccines that prevent those diseases.

For example, rhinotracheitis is a severe upper-respiratory infection caused by a feline type 1, herpesvirus. It is most severe in young kittens and older cats and is one of the most serious upper-respiratory diseases seen in cats. The virus is airborne and very contagious in susceptible animals.

Cats can suffer from several strains of caliciviruses. They cause a range of diseases, from a mild, almost-asymptomatic infection, to life-threatening pneumonia. Most cases show only evidence of problems in the mouth, nasal passages and mucus membranes of the eyes.

The viruses are transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat or object (bowl, cage, brush, blanket, etc.) that harbors the virus. The virus can survive eight to 10 days in the environment. Carrier cats can pass the virus into the environment for up to a year.

Panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease that occurs quickly and has a high mortality rate. It is caused by a parvovirus similar to the parvovirus seen in dogs. It is very resistant and may remain infectious in the environment for up to a year. Infected cats usually require intensive treatment such as IV fluids, antibiotics and supportive care. Mortality rates may run from 50 percent to 90 percent. The vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.

Finally, rabies is caused by a virus that can infect all mammals, including people. The source of rabies in wildlife in Washington has been limited to the big brown bat, but there is no reason to believe other bats could not be infected.

In general, if a bat is healthy, no human should be able to touch it. If you can, and do touch a bat, you run the risk of being exposed to rabies, which requires an extensive and expensive course of care to prevent this (essentially 100 percent) fatal disease from developing.

Bats, like all wildlife, fall under the control of their state's game agency and most provide important precautions about handling all wild animals, especially bats.

The reason an indoor cat needs to be protected from rabies is essentially twofold: one is because bats and small mammals can and do make their way into homes and cats are very adept at catching them. The second is it would be remiss if a veterinarian did not administer this vaccine because it is potentially a deadly human health problem if your cat becomes rabid by any route.

Dr. Matt Mickas
Mickas is head of the Community Practice Service at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

No Bones About It

2011-05-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

No Bones About It

While these days Marc’s patients are limited to dogs and cats, he has a special fondness for reptiles, especially snakes. So when I found an emaciated bull snake with part of its tail bitten off, curled up in the pool skimmer, Marc made it his mission to nurse it back to health.

After examining the snake and proclaiming it at death’s door, Marc gave it an antibiotic injection, re-hydrated it, and force fed it a gruel of pureed dog food. Finally after a week of care, Marc decided more substantial nutrition was needed.

Warning: You may wish to skip the following section if you are squeamish.

“I’m going to try to feed that snake a rat,” he confided to me over dinner.

“We tried that the first day we caught him,” I reminded Marc, “he was too weak to eat it.”

“Not a whole rat,” Marc explained, “a chopped up rat. One that I can put into the syringe.”

“And how do you chop up the rat finely enough so that it fits in the syringe,” I asked as calmly as if I was getting a recipe from Julia Childs.

“Put it in the blender,” he said. “But there’s just one problem.”

I had to ask. “What’s that?”

“The rat’s fur gets stuck in the blades of the blender. Gums up the works.”

“Why don’t you skin the rat first?” I suggested.

“Yeah, that’s probably what we’ll have to do,” Marc nodded pensively, as he continued eating.

My dinner remained untouched, since, as it turned out, there really is more than one way to skin a rat. Such as, get your wife to do it. I don’t remember actually agreeing to skin the rat. All I remember is mentioning that I got an “A” in the dissection practical of my anatomy lab. Then I recalled that the chef in my French cooking class had complimented me on the way I skinned and boned a chicken. The next thing I knew, I was thawing out one of the emergency rats we always keep in the freezer. In an unfortunate sense of timing, while the rat was defrosting nicely on the kitchen counter, Ernie the exterminator paid me a visit.

“You say you got a problem with ants?” he checked his worksheet as I let him in the house.

“Yes, there was a whole trail of them crawling along the counter,” I told him as I led him into the kitchen. “I don’t like bugs in the house.”

As we passed by the rat, I saw Ernie do a double take.

“I don’t know why you’re so upset about a few ants on your counter,” he noted, “when here you got a dead rat sitting on it.”

“Oh that,” I waved my hand dismissively, “that’s going in the blender as soon as it’s thawed out.” Ernie refrained from any further conversation on the subject.

After the bug man left, I drove the rat over to the clinic where I was provided with a scalpel and forceps.

“Just pretend it’s chicken,” I said to myself. That analogy was working fine until I got to the head. “What should I do about this,” I asked Marc who had come over to check my progress.

“Oh that’s no big deal,” he said, and, pulling out his own scalpel, he deftly cut the head off. “We might as well get rid of these too,” he added, chopping off the four paws just as quickly. It was all quite ghoulish.

“I think I’m done here,” I said quietly.

“Fine,” Marc grabbed the rat’s torso and tossed it in the blender. “What setting do you think it should be on?” he asked.

Still numb, I said, “I don’t know, puree maybe?

“Puree it is,” he said cheerily and pressed the button.

OK- all you squeamish readers can come back now...

I guess the whole grisly episode was worth it because the snake definitely seemed to look better after being fed this hearty meal. I, on the other hand, didn’t look so good. All subsequent meals for the snake were prepared solely by Chef Marc.

The blender finally broke after the fourth rat had been run through it.

“We have to get a new blender,” Marc advised me. “Looks like the motor gave out on the old one. We need one with more power.”

I felt bad for the saleslady at the Walmart who took the time to proudly point out all the special features in the store’s comprehensive line of blenders.

“Which one has the biggest motor?” Marc asked impatiently.

“Are you looking for something that can crush ice?” the saleslady asked helpfully.

“No, bones,” Marc said quickly before I could stop him.

“It’s just rats’ bones,” I added brightly, hoping that would make it seem more reasonable.

The poor woman, who probably thought she was waiting on Hannibal Lechter and his wife, gave us a weak smile and mumbled something about it being time for her break.

April is National Pet First Aid Month

2011-04-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

IT'S NATIONAL PET FIRST AID AWARENESS MONTH!

DO YOU KNOW THE TOP 5 FIRST AID SITUATIONS?

1. Open Wounds

2. Choking

3. Extreme Temperatures

4. Insect Bite, Sting and Allergic Reactions

5. Snakebites

Want to read more from the First International Training Center for Pet CPR and First Aid?
Just Go to http://www.pettech.net/ and see their
"Pet First Aid Awareness Month" Kit. You can download it for yourself!

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), one-out-of-four pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

Get prepared - and provide the best possible care for YOUR pet with the PetSaver Program!

Recently one of our Employees, Kim MacCrone, a Certified Veterinary Technician who helped opened our Practice back in 2005, became a Certified Pet CPR Instructor. Needless to say, all of our veterinary assistants and techinicians took her course! Our Staff is now Certified in Pet CPR!

Kim's Pet Saver Program is open to the public and is currently being held once a month in Queen Creek.

For further information call Kim at 602-359-3693 or see her Pet CPR Blog at www.kimspetcpr.blogspot.com. Thanks for being responsible pet owners!

Iddy-Bit

2011-03-31T10:07:00.002-07:00

It was the Ides of March when Karen Bennett noticed a young kitten hiding under a bush in the desert area near the Community Center at Solera. The frightened little feline had taken cover to avoid a dog that was walking nearby.
“I didn’t think he was feral at all,” she noted. “I'm sure he's had human contact because he responded to my call of 'kitty' and let me pick him up with no problem.”

The male kitten, about 8 weeks old, had long black and white fur and a winning personality.

Chandler takes Iddy-bit under his wing

“He's very sweet and loves to be cuddled,” Karen said. “I think he’s going to be one great cat.”
Already the proud owner of four felines, Karen took the little guy in, being careful to keep him separate from her own house pets until he had been given a clean bill of health by Dr. Schmidt.

She also made inquiries to try and find the owner, or a prospective adoptive home. Meanwhile, the kitten, now named “Iddy-bit” is enjoying his foster feline family.

2011-03-06T10:07:00.001-07:00

We recently came across several articles in regards to the most unusual surgical cases in Veterinary Medicine. One article in particular came from VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.) where they reported there were nearly 2,000 foreign body ingestion claims received over the past year.

We thought this article was extremely interesting as most of our "Emergency Exploratory" surgery cases are typically the one's where the first thing out of the pet owner's mouth is, "My dog doesn't eat anything, he doesn't dig in garbages and he doesn't even play with toys." Well, guess again, haha! They can be very sneaky when they want to. It never ceases to amaze us at what our doctors we retrieve!

We've compiled a list of the ones that really stood out to us. Next time your rambunctious new puppy is in the house, or your older, well mannered dog is left inside alone while you are at work, check your floor or reachable furniture and counters to make sure these items are NOT within reach of your pet!

Most Common items ingested by cats and dogs are typically socks, rocks, and towels. Are friendly felines are notorious for finding string and tinsel.

Well, let's look at some even more unusual items. Items even I was shocked at learning were ingested!

bikini

fish hook

dental floss

eye glasses

watch

wool pads

light bulb

Frisbees

Jumper Cables (he had to have been very large!)

baseball

Ink Pen

Purse Clasps

Extension cord

TV remote (What? No American Idol Tonight!)

pine cone

bath bubbles

spare change

Butter.... yes, three sticks to be exact

glue (both elmers and crazy)

high lighter pen

coffee grounds

razor blades

and a hearing aid.

The good news is, all pets that were involved in removing the above items, fully recovered.

The cost of these surgeries can range from $1,500- $3,000 or more!

If you'd like to share your own experience, please leave us a comment and we will share with our readers.

Thank you!

Little Orphan Sandy

2011-02-05T09:25:00.001-07:00

(This picture was shared from the internet. Not a picture of the real Sandy)

Sandy the cocker spaniel had been a patient of Marc’s for years. Unlike some dogs of her breed, she was sweet and friendly to everyone. With her even temperament, golden color and tendency towards chubbiness she almost resembled a small golden retriever. Several years ago when Marc was still practicing at his then clinic, in Apache Junction, Sandy was brought to the clinic to be boarded while her elderly owner underwent hip replacement surgery. Most dogs are usually boarded for a short time but as the weeks passed, Sandy remained. Because she was so lovable, she became the darling of the veterinary staff, especially with Betty, the kennel lady. Even when I stopped by the clinic I would pet Sandy or take her for a walk. But we all wondered when she would get to go home.
“How long is that spaniel supposed to be boarding for?” I asked Marc one evening.

“Nobody knows,” he shook his head and sighed. “Her owner is still in the hospital. That surgery he had didn’t go well. Seems the hip got infected or had to be replaced again, I’m not sure.”

“Poor guy,” I sympathized. “He must miss his dog.”

“You know Betty’s been bringing her to the hospital to visit him,” Marc informed me.

“Really?” I was surprised. “That’s great. It must do both of them a lot of good.”

Whatever good it the visits did psychologically, they couldn’t help Sandy’s owner physically. As his health deteriorated it became clear that there was no way he was coming back for Sandy. He agreed to sign her over to the hospital and we promised to find her a good home. The obvious choice was Betty. She and the dog had already bonded. A happy ending? Not quite. About six months later Betty was informed that there was a new owner making new laws where she lived. All dogs acquired after a certain date had to be gone by that Friday. Betty’s two greyhounds were “grandfathered.” Sandy was not. Although everyone at the hospital tried desperately to find her a good, new home, 48 hours just wasn’t enough time. There was only one other option.

“We’ll take her,” I told Marc who readily agreed.

“We have to take her. We promised the owner we’d look after her.”

Shared by Internet

So that Friday afternoon Marc brought Sandy home. She was nervous and quiet, and didn’t eat but by the end of the evening she was curled up with Marc in the LaZBoy. On Saturday I noticed Sandy was extremely interested in Chuckles the Quaker parrot. She trotted over to wherever the bird was, hoping to get a better look, and maybe a taste, of this bright green loudmouth. Chuckles, for her part, was not pleased and pecked the dog’s nose with her sharp beak whenever she got too close.

“This is trouble waiting to happen,” I muttered, so I opened the back door and Sandy bounded out, forgetting the bird and happy to explore our very large fenced-in yard on a brisk November day. I don’t know what caused me to glance out the window a few minutes later. But I did...just in time to see Sandy doing a very poor version of the dog paddle, barely keeping afloat in the deep end of our pool. Running outside in a panic I rushed to the side of the pool and leaned over far enough to grab her and pull her up and out. We were both terrified, freezing and soaking wet. After drying her off and changing my clothes, I called Marc. “I don’t think we can keep this dog unless we get a lifeguard.”

On Monday I happened to be visiting a friend whose husband is also a veterinarian. I told her about Sandy including her near drowning experience.

“I can’t leave her in the house alone with the bird. I can’t leave her out in the yard with the pool.”

“A golden cocker spaniel, you say?” Michelle asked. “You know we just had to put ours down last year. It was heartbreaking for the kids. Can you bring Sandy over? Does she get along with children?”

Of course Sandy got along with Michelle’s children. Especially Michelle’s little 4 year old daughter, in whose bed Sandy sleeps peacefully every night, in that good home we promised her owner. With no pool and no bird.

GO STEELERS !!!

2011-02-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, well, maybe there are some of you who are Packer Fans, and that's OK!!
At JRAC, we have a HUGE Steelers Fan! Her Name is Christy and she is one of our CVT's. So in honor of her dedication to the Steelers, and the fact she brought in some really cute kitty hankerchief's, we will share the following picture's with you of Mo and Ron.... our clinic kitties.

GO STEELERS!!

KITTENS AND MOMMA CAT NEED A HOME!

2011-01-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON..

2011-01-12T15:43:00.001-07:00

Marc was in his office eating lunch when Michelle, the head receptionist poked her head in.

“Dr. Schmidt, there are some people on the phone who say their pit bull puppy was bitten by a Gila monster.”

“Tell them not to worry,” Marc said between bites of his sandwich. “Even though they’re poisonous, they probably can’t do too much harm.” And he went back to his meal.

But Michelle returned a few minutes later. “The people didn’t make themselves clear the first time,” she said, considerably more agitated. “The Gila monster that bit their pup...”

“Yes?” Marc asked expectantly.

“Well it’s still hanging on to the pup’s nose and they can’t get it off.”

That piece of news finally got Marc away from his lunch. “Have them bring the pup right in,” he instructed Michelle, “and tell them not to try to kill the Gila monster. They’re protected and it’s against the law.”

Michelle rolled her eyes, “That’ll go over big with them,” and she ran back to the phone.

Less than five minutes later the screeching of brakes could be heard outside the clinic. Almost immediately a frantic family of five piled into the waiting room. The kids were crying, the man was cursing and the woman was holding the whimpering pup wrapped in a blanket. And there, protruding from the pup’s muzzle was the Gila monster, with its distinctive pink and black pebbled skin, and its vise-like jaws. Immediately Marc came out to greet this hysterical group.

“Bring the pup right in here” he gestured to the doorway of an exam room. If three’s a crowd eight was definitely enough as the husband, wife and three kids piled into the small room which was already occupied by Marc and two technicians. The hapless dog was set down carefully on the exam table while the Gila monster dangled from its nose.

“The idea is to remove the Gila monster without hurting the pup further,” Marc explained quietly as he took a good look at the situation.

“Why can’t you just whack the thing’s head off?” The man said impatiently

“Well first of all, it’s against the law and besides, it may increase injury to the dog. I could try prying the jaws apart but that probably won’t work. We need to give that Gila monster something to make it release its grip.

“Like a muscle relaxer or a tranquilizer?” the woman suggested helpfully.

“Sort of,” Marc mumbled while he looked through the pharmacology book.

Meanwhile, while they were debating which drug was best, the Gila monster, tired from all the commotion, simply dropped off the dog’s muzzle and fell to the floor.

“Boy, that’s one way to clear a room,” one of the techs remarked as the entire family pushed and shoved its way through the small exam room door to escape from the poisonous lizard which was now at large. “They even left their dog here,” he noted, as the poor little pit bull puppy sat alone on the exam table.

After checking him out and pronouncing him none the worse for his ordeal, Marc brought the pup back into the waiting room where the family had regrouped and regained its composure.

“Dog’ll be fine,” he reassured the people. “Just keep an eye on him for the rest of the day.”

“What do I owe you Doc?” the man asked, visibly relieved that the ordeal was over.

“Don’t worry about it.” Marc told him. “I didn’t really do anything.”

“Thanks, thanks a lot,” he said and shook Marc’s hand appreciatively. “By the way, what are you gonna do with that monster lizard thing?”

“Oh I’ll take him out in the desert somewhere after it gets dark,” Marc said.

“Just as long as it’s nowhere near my house,” the man laughed.

2010-12-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

Thank you Rural Metro Fire Department!

Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic Staff and Doctors decided to forego their "Secret Santa's" to one another this Holiday Season, and pooled their money together to purchase a Pet CPR and Pet Oxygen Mask Kit to each of the 3 Fire Stations in San Tan Valley!

Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic was on hand when one of the stations rolled up in the Fire Truck to collect the 3 Kits.

Pictured with the Fire Fighters is our Staff, Kim T., Christy, Miranda, Dr. Schmidt, Linda and Tasha (In order from left to right)
Not pictured are Dr. Bowers and Kim MacCrone.

Thanks Rural Metro for caring about the pets enough to accept our Donations!

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

2010-12-16T16:45:00.005-07:00

One day I arrived at the clinic just in time to witness two technicians trying to get a 40-pound dachshund to throw up.

“Boy that’s the biggest, fattest dachshund I’ve ever seen,” I observed.

“Well he’s even fatter than usual after eating a turkey leg, “ said Will, one of the technicians. Soon, the hydrogen peroxide mixture was doing its job and the dog was heaving miserably into a bucket

“How did the dog get to the turkey?” I asked. “I mean it’s a big dachshund but it still has those short little legs.”

“Oh, at about two in the morning the dog snatched the turkey off the coffee table,” Melanie mentioned casually

“Why was the dog prowling around the house in the middle of the night, and besides, who leaves a turkey out all night on a coffee table?” I asked, my housekeeping sensibilities offended.

Mel just shrugged.

About an hour later I noticed there was still a dachshund sitting on the exam table, but this one looked considerably smaller.

“Is that the same dog I saw before that ate the turkey?” I asked. “He looks so little now. He must have thrown up the whole bird.”

Will just shook his head and smiled. “This dog ate turkey all right,. But it’s the other dog’s sister. They both stuffed themselves but the bigger dog seems to have gotten the lion’s share.”

During my next visit to the clinic, I noticed a tiny black and brown dog the size of a Chihuahua. The poor dog, which must have weighed all of three pounds, was standing on the exam table shivering and shaking.

“What’s wrong with this little guy?” I asked.

“It ate a ham” one of the technicians said.

“That dog’s not even as big as a ham,” I observed. Then, remembering the coffee table turkey I added, “How could it have snatched a ham? Where was this ham? On the floor?”

“I don’t know,” Marc sounded exasperated. “Owners didn’t even realize the ham was gone. Besides, this is nothing new. Had a beagle in here that ate a whole ham as well.”

“Why are there so many untended hams and turkeys around?” I wondered aloud as the small dog started vomiting. The clinic was turning into a support group for bulemics.

“You know,” I mentioned to Marc, “it seems they should change that expression, ‘eats like a pig’ to ‘eats like a dog.’”

“Nah,” Marc disagreed, “none of those dogs have anything on Hambone the pig.”

“What pig is that?”

“Oh some people came in with a pet pig that ate everything in their refrigerator, including the plastic the food was wrapped in.”

“How did it get to all the food?”

“Pigs are real smart. It learned how to open the refrigerator door with its snout and one day when the people were gone, it sneaked into the kitchen and just helped itself. Ate everything in sight. That was one sick pig. If they’re gonna change any expression they should change ‘sick as a dog’ ‘to sick as a pig.’ ”

“What did the people do?” I still couldn’t get over allowing swine to wander unsupervised throughout a house.

“Well, they had to put a lock on the refrigerator,” Marc recalled. “But even that was a hassle. First they tried a padlock but they kept misplacing the key. Then they used a combination lock but they kept forgetting the combination.”

I was amazed at all the trouble these people went through to guard their food. “Why didn’t they just post the combination on the refrigerator? I mean, it’s not like the pig could read.”

“You never know,” Marc said seriously.

“Better yet,” I suggested, “why couldn’t they just relegate the pig to a pigpen in the yard?”

“Hey, it was their beloved pet,” Marc said indignantly, as if such a suggestion reeked of animal cruelty.

TIS THE SEASON!

2010-12-14T11:54:00.004-07:00

With the holiday season approaching and many of us having deadlines for shopping, decorating and visiting friends, please keep in mind that the Holiday’s can be stressful for our pet’s as well. New faces and guests can add to that stress.

Each time a guest enters your home, pets can be exposed to a new level of stress.

Some positive, some negative. Some pets are locked away while guests are in their home while others are allowed to roam free.

Doors, gates and garages are opened and closed frequently.

The opportunity for escape is incredible! Winter holidays are one of the top seasons of the year that pets are lost. Microchipping your pet can aid in recovery if your pet should escape by accident. Call your Veterinarian today if your pet is not already chipped!
 Please inform your guests not to feed your pet scraps.

 Please do not allow children to harass your pet

 Please keep a routine for your pet

Never give your pet chocolate! It can be highly toxic to animals! Chocolate can cause stomach cramps, constipation and diarrhea. It is all too common to see pets with vomiting and diarrhea after a holiday. Some can become seriously ill.

Dangerous Holiday Paraphernalia:

 Plastic six pack beverage holders

 Electric cords

 Glass ornaments

 Ribbons and tinsel.

 Foil

 Rubber bands

 Pine needles. If your pet ingests a pine needle, there is a danger of internal organs being pierced by the needles

Wishing you all a happy and safe Holiday Season!

The Dangers of Xylitol

2010-12-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

The Dangers of Xylitol

Most everyone knows that chocolate should be kept out of reach of pets.
There is also an additional threat to be concerned about.

The new types of artificial sweeteners contain ingredients even more dangerous than chocolate.

The main culprit is the artificial sweetener, Xylitol. Xylitol is found in gums like Orbit.
What makes this ingredient dangerous is that, although the human body can metabolize these complex molecules, the canine body is unable to do so. Also, it seems that once they contact Xylitol in particular, it tastes so sweet that they find it literally irresistible.
The complex unmetabolizable molecule is actually a sugar alcohol, and not a true sugar. Due to its inability to be broken down like normal sugars by the liver and pancreas in the canine body, therefore falls to the kidneys to filter it out like other unprocessable substances. However, the action of the kidneys is not enough to prevent the level of Xylitol in the blood from reaching a critical level. The animal will then experience an overdose, even from a single piece of gum. The net effect of all this leads to a Grand Mals type seizure within 24 hours of ingestion.
The animal may experience as many as 3 more seizures within a 24 hr. period. These symptoms are caused by an apparent acute onset of hypoglycemia, which causes lack of coordination, collapsing and seizure. If your pet ingests a product with Xylitol, please head straight to the nearest ER Clinic!

An Article from ASPCA:

Dog owners beware: The number of dogs harmed from ingesting xylitol, a sugar substitute used in sugar-free chewing gum, toothpaste and baked goods, is on the rise, according to a recent report from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center.

In 2003, the ASPCA recorded only three xylitol poisonings, which can cause hypoglycemia, liver failure and even death in dogs. That number skyrocketed to 70 in 2004. In 2005, there were more than 170 cases, and between January and August 2006, there have already been 114 cases reported.

Signs that your dog might have ingested products containing xylitol as a sweetener can show up quickly, sometimes within 30 minutes of eating the product. According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, a veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs that have ingested small amounts of xylitol might be affected but not show signs until up to 12 hours afterward. Signs your dog has ingested a product containing xylitol as a sweetener include an abrupt drop in blood sugar, vomiting, depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

If you find that your dog has consumed a product containing xylitol as a sweetener, call your veterinarian immediately. If the dog is exhibiting symptoms, take the dog to the vet’s office right away.
To prevent xylitol poisoning, dog owners should be aware of products that often contain xylitol as a sweetener, and keep those products out of reach of their dogs. They include: candy, chewing gum, breath fresheners, smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum, toothpastes, sunscreen and some vitamins and diet supplements.

All of us here at Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic are wishing you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season, fur friends and humans alike!

Please don't hesitate to contact us for all of your pet needs this Month! Please go to our website for further information at, http://www.jrvets.com/or
Call: 480-987-4555 to schedule your pet's appointment today!

DRIVEN TO DRINK

2010-11-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

One day a golden retriever was brought in to the clinic by a concerned couple. The beautiful animal, named Sunny, appeared to be in the peak of health.

“And why are we seeing Sunny today?” Marc asked as the technician led the obedient dog and his owners into an exam room.

“Well Doc,” the woman began, “he’s been drinking an awful lot of water lately. Like maybe a gallon a day.” The possibility of diabetes began to loom large in Marc’s mind.

“Is he losing weight?” Marc asked. “Does his eyesight seem to be getting worse?” While he was talking to the people he put a water dish down in front of Sunny but the dog paid no attention.

“Nope,” the man said quickly. “Nothing seems to be wrong with him at all. He’s just drinking like a fish for some reason. Like my wife said, about a gallon a day.”

Marc examined the sweet dog who was quite amenable to all the poking and prodding. “With excessive thirst,” he explained to the couple, “we always have to consider diabetes. Although Sunny doesn’t seem to exhibit any of the other symptoms. And he didn’t drink any of the water here. I’d like to take some blood tests to see what’s going on.”

The couple readily consented so Marc drew the blood and told them he would call in a few days with the results. But two days later when the tests came back, everything was normal. It seems Sunny didn’t have diabetes or anything else. Marc asked the owners to come back for another consultation. He put a water bowl down but once again, Sunny didn’t seem interested

“How’s Sunny doing,” he asked.

“Still drinking a gallon a day,” the husband told him.

“How do you know it’s that much?” Marc pressed for more information on this puzzling case.

“Well,” the wife explained. “You know how terrible the tap water here tastes. So we buy bottled water. And we got Sunny one of them ‘self-filling’ coolers. You know, like the kind you see in offices? The ones with the big jug on top? But instead of having to press the lever to get water, this one is set up so it automatically fills Sunny’s water dish as soon as it’s emptied. Makes it real convenient for us. But less than a week goes by and I have to replace that five gallon jug.”

“When do you notice the dog drinking?” Marc asked. “And what is he doing just before he’s drinking? Is it after he’s been walked or chased a ball?”

The woman thought for a moment “Seems like there’s no one time he drinks more than others. And I can’t tell you what he’s been doing beforehand. We have a big fenced yard and a doggy door so he pretty much comes and goes as he pleases. I can tell you what he does right after he drinks though.”

Marc was interested “What’s that?”

“Well, you know how when you drain enough water out of them jugs, it sort of has to readjust itself with the pressure and all? Kind of makes that ‘glug’ sound and a bunch a bubbles come up?”

“Yes..” Marc said slowly.

“Well, it seems Sunny likes that part.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he gets real excited about it. Every time he hears that ‘glug’ and sees the bubbles he wags his tail and gets all happy. Seems like he looks forward to it. While he’s drinkin’, he’s watching the jug like he can’t wait for it to happen.”

“Really?” Marc stroked his chin as a ridiculous, yet plausible explanation began to take shape in his mind. “You think it’s possible that Sunny may be drinking all the water just to hear that “glug” sound?”

The husband and wife looked at each other.

“I mean it sounds almost like a learned response,” Marc continued. “Sunny knows if he drinks enough water, sooner or later he’ll see the bubbles and hear that sound he likes. So he keeps drinking to make it happen. Look, we’ve offered him water the two times he’s been in the clinic and he hasn’t touched it.”

At first, the dog’s owners sat there in silence. But then, they too, realized that, as bizarre as it sounded, Marc’s theory had possibilities.

“Well I’ll be!” the husband exclaimed. There’s nothin’ wrong with that dog at all. ”

The wife chimed in, “yeah, he just been ‘conditioned.’ Like Pavlov’s dog.”

“More like Perrier’s dog” Marc said and they all laughed.

Another great story! Thanks Rikki!

“CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”, “THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY?”

2010-11-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Dinner conversation at our house usually starts with the innocuous question, “Anything interesting happen at the clinic?”

Invariably, the answer is ….yes. A dog was attacked by a wild pig. A dog was attacked by a goat. A dog was attacked by a turkey. A dog was attacked by a rooster. A cat swallowed a hatpin. A rat bit a snake. A ferret needed a pacemaker. A coonhound had braces on its teeth. The list of ill-fated animals in unfortunate, but often ridiculous, situations was endless.

“Treated a cat that fell off a car roof today,” Marc mentioned casually one evening.

“I thought cats were pretty agile,” I remarked, “plus a car’s roof is not so high up that a cat would get hurt.”

Between mouthfuls, Marc added, “The car was moving at the time.”

“Didn’t the people see the cat on their roof when they first got in the car?”

“Nope, in fact they probably don’t know the cat was ever on their roof.”

“So who brought the cat into the clinic?” I asked impatiently.

“People in the car behind them at the dump.”

“This happened at the dump?”

“Yup,” Marc finally broke down and gave me the details.
“These people were on their way out of the dump and they noticed the car ahead of them had a cat standing on the roof. They tried to get the driver’s attention but with all the noise and the piles of trash he didn’t see them. Anyway the cat seemed to be doing pretty well until the guy made a sharp turn. That’s when the cat fell off. The people stopped their car and ran over to see how he was. The cat had some pretty bad lacerations so they brought him over to us. Problem is, it’s not their cat.”

“The people whose car the cat was on, do you think it was their cat?”

Marc shook his head. “Not unless they brought it with them from home and it managed to hang on all the way to the dump. But then they would’ve seen it when they got out to dump their trash. More than likely someone else dumped this cat at the dump and the cat thought this car was its ride out of there.”

“Do you think the people who found the cat will adopt it?” I hated hearing about homeless cats.

“They would consider it,” Marc said, “only problem is they’re in the middle of moving and staying with the sister-in-law and she’s not a cat lover. So they can’t just bring the cat in the house. It’s going to have to sleep outside for a while. I gave them a carrier though and put the cat on antibiotics.” And that was the last he heard about that cat.

Sometimes the stories were more than ridiculous, they were unbelievable.

“Wait til you hear this one,” Marc was chuckling as he came through the door and set his briefcase down. “We got a call about a horse being shot,” Marc began, “so I told the caller I’ll send over my associate vet who treats large animals. So Dr. Moser goes to see the guy about the horse and when she comes back I ask her how it’s doing.”

“‘Oh it’ll be okay I think,’ she says.”
‘Who shot the horse?’ I ask her.”

“‘Another horse,’ she says with a straight face.”
“How could that happen?” I asked Marc in amazement.
“Well,” Marc explained, “seems this guy is riding a horse and leading another horse and he rides up to Buffalo Bill’s Liquor. He goes in the store but the clerk sees he’s wearing a gun so she tells the guy, ‘No guns allowed in liquor stores.’ So the guy, who’s probably drunk to begin with, goes outside and hangs the gun on the saddle of one of the horses then goes back inside Buffalo Bill’s to buy his beer. Meanwhile, the other horse starts getting restless and begins jostling and bumping into the horse with the gun. All this moving’ around knocks the gun off the saddle; it falls to the ground, goes off and hits the other horse.”

“Did somebody call the newspaper about this?” I asked. “Or maybe the police?”

Marc looked at me strangely. “Who are they going to interview? Or arrest? The horse?”
“No, but what about the man? For being drunk, or reckless endangerment or something.”
“They tried, but the horse refused to press charges.” Marc told me with a straight face.

Another Great Story by the Doctor's wife!! Thanks Rikki! This really made me laugh!

Paws, Jaws, Claws or What the Parrot Saw

2010-11-02T16:10:00.001-07:00

Tales from the Veterinary Clinic and Beyond
by Rikki Schmidt (aka “that’s Dr. Schmidt’s wife”)

I'm Chuckles the Parrot!

INTRODUCTION

I never planned to live the Wild West version of "All Creatures Great and Small." Or play Eva Gabor’s role in a remake of Green Acres. But since I married a veterinarian it seems that my life revolves around everything with four legs and fur, and on occasion feathers and scales.

When things got serious between us I went to the clinic to meet his parents for the first time. Before they arrived, Marc handed me a big, angry yellow tomcat.

“Here, hold this cat while I put a catheter in him.” He instructed me.

“I don’t think that’s going to improve his disposition any,” I struggled to hang on to the patient who seemed to be mostly claws and teeth.

“Don’t worry, I’m giving him some ketamine to settle him down” Marc jabbed the cat with a hypodermic. Almost immediately he went limp and relaxed. I placed him carefully on the exam table.

“What’s the matter with this big guy anyway?” I asked as Marc expertly inserted the catheter. The cat couldn’t care less.

“He’s all blocked up. Can’t pee. This will get him going.”

Right on cue, the cat let loose a stream as if he hadn’t urinated in 10 years. Since I was pretty much in the line of fire, I ended up wearing a considerable amount of tomcat urine.

“Great,” I said, wrinkling my nose in disgust, “your parents will be here soon. I can’t meet them looking like this, I want to change.”

“Just about done... hold on to him, he’s starting to come around,” Marc was finishing up with the cat who was emerging from his “catnap” in a worse mood than before. I got him into a cage but not before he successfully shredded the sleeves of my shirt. Just as I closed the cage door I heard Marc say, “Hi, you folks are early.”

I self-consciously greeted his parents who politely never asked about the condition, or smell, of my clothes.

After we had been married a while, his mother confided to me, “Hon, when I saw you that day at the clinic, wearing all that cat pee I said to Marc’s dad, ‘That’s the gal for him!’”

Chuckles says "thanks"!

Your Pet Ate What?

2010-10-27T11:00:00.003-07:00

The following is a list of some all too common and unusual items that dogs and cats are known to eat. This is according to the American Kennel Club's and PetPartners Inc.
No, homework didn't make the list! Sorry kiddos!

Cats:
Hair Bands: $1,505
Toy Ball: $1,454

Dogs:
Snail bait: $146
Toy: $ 669
Sock: $1,173
Golf Balls: $1,844
Dental floss: $3,590
Loose change: $1,018

Some things that Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic has seen that dogs and cats have eaten:

String
Baby bottle nipple
four pairs of underwear from one dog (and you thought the washer ate them?)
Rubber toy ring
Socks
Penny
Hard Bones
Hair Tie
Bottle Top

An All Time Danger for Cats:
String and Tinsel. This includes sewing thread. A cat can get these intertwined in their intestines causing sometimes fatal outcomes. Please keep your string up from kitty!

Even cats and dogs who are not known to eat garbage/toys, etc. can be sneaky. You may not think your pet gets into these things while you are away. Don't be fooled! It's not uncommon for us to hear that from owner's of pets who have had surgery to remove one of the above foreign objects!
If you have any of these things laying around the house please keep them up so your pet doesn't have a chance to ingest them.
Holiday Decorations pose to be a real threat for some pets.

Stay tuned for my next post where I will give you some Holiday Tips to keep your pets safe! Until then, have a Pawsitively Great Day!

A GUEST APPEARANCE

2010-10-20T11:19:00.020-07:00

Monday brought us a very special guest appearance by "Buzz" the Western Diamond Back.
No, don't worry, the doctors and staff didn't find Buzz inside the clinic! Dr. Schmidt loves all animals great and small, yes..... even snakes. Dr. Schmidt also enjoys educating the public about snakes and since he is holding a snake presentation, he thought it would be even more interesting if he had a live snake to include in his presentation. Dr. Schmidt may keep Buzz around for the Winter..... don't worry, he wont be staying at the clinic! Once spring comes I'm sure he will be released back into the desert until some other snake lover comes along and grabs him up for their snake presentation!

See Buzz up close and personal by clicking on the Video Below.

It's National Veterinary Technician Week!!!

2010-10-11T15:22:00.004-07:00

Kim- CVT

HAPPY VETERINARY TECHNICIAN WEEK TO

ALL THE VETERINARY TECHNICIANS

AND ASSISTANTS AT JOHNSON RANCH ANIMAL CLINIC!

Kendra- Vet Assistant

Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic feels very lucky to have the skilled and professional staff that they do! Thanks for all you do girls!

Jen- Vet Assistant

Christy- CVT

Miranda- Vet Assistant

Kim T.- Vet Assistant

Karen- Vet Assistant

IMPORTANT RABIES INFORMATION

2010-10-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Please see our important article on Rabies Virus as well as view a video on the affects of rabies on humans. Visit our Medical Blog at: http://www.santanvalleyvets.blogspot.com/

Thank You!

Clinic Cats’ Diary- the Adventures of Mo & Ron

2010-09-19T07:24:00.002-07:00

We’ve been here since almost day one! Back in 2005 someone left us in an old cardboard box in front of Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic. We were just a couple of scared kittens! It was a CATastrophe!

Luckily we were saved. The technicians found us the next morning when they came to work. They rescued us and we became Mo and Ron “the clinic cats.” If you put our names together it’s not very flattering to us but that’s okay.
We have quite the good life. We were supposed to be adopted but the first family was allergic and then we found out that Ron had diabetes.

With all the homeless cats around no one wants a cat that needs insulin every day. So we ended up back at the animal clinic. Ron gets his glucose monitored and we both get to keep an eye on everything that goes on. It’s a great place! Everyone considers us part of the staff. We even get to dress up and celebrate the holidays.

The receptionists, Tasha and Linda are real “people people” and “pet people”. They welcome all the patients and their owners with a friendly smile. You can even "hear” their smiles when you call up on the phone to make an appointment. We know because we listen in. We also have two Certified Veterinary Technicians, five Veterinary Assistants and students in training. They work in the examination, surgery and treatment areas of the hospital dealing with appointments and surgeries as well as two nosy cats prowling around. The veterinary technicians and assistants are not just in the exam rooms helping the doctors during appointments.

They are vital in client education, teaching people about their pets and how to keep them healthy. They also perform laboratory procedures, and work in radiology, surgery, anesthesia, pharmacy and dentistry. They even trained us to do tricks!

Ron can press the Staples “Easy” button and give high fives.

When no appointments are scheduled the staff can be found studying and participating in continuing education classes. They also clean and organize the hospital which sometimes means shooing us out of places. They call the previous day's appointments and surgeries to make sure that the pet is doing well and everything is okay. Many people doctors’ offices don’t even do that!

You and your pet are welcome to stop by, meet the doctors and the staff and and see the clinic for yourself. You may even catch a glimpse of us. We’re open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am until 5 pm and Wednesday’s from 4 pm until 8 pm

Call us at 480-987-4555

Business Website: http://www.jrvets.com/

Medical Blog: http://www.santanvalleyvets.blogspot.com/

Next post we’ll tell you all about our two Veterinarians, Dr. Marc Schmidt and Dr. Kelly Bowers.

Canine Bladder Surgery

2010-09-10T10:33:00.002-07:00

This Video contains images of internal organs. The squimmish should proceed with caution. This dog had a bladder full of urinary stones that needed to be surgically removed. The patient recovered well and is back home and back to normal.

Heartworm Cases in Arizona

2010-07-08T15:33:00.001-07:00

Heartworm cases are increasing in San Tan Valley, AZ.

Well, while Team Moron (aka Mo and Ron) was lying around doing nothing and then resting, the rest of us here at Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic have been busy helping pets and diagnosing heartworm disease in dogs.
We have diagnosed 3 new cases of heartworms in dogs in recent months. One of these dogs came in for an exam and updat on its vaccinations. It had not seen a veterinarian in at least three years. The pet seemed normal on physical exam.

However, a routine heartworm test came up positive. This means the patient has female heartworms in the heart. We also found microfilaria ("baby heartworms"), which means there are also male heartworms in the heart. That's right, heartworms have males and females and they have to have sex to produce babies! Who'da thunk it? Can you picture a bunch of 6 to 12 inch long worms "partyin' hardy" in the heart?

Another patient was a middle aged working dog that also appeared normal on physical exam. This dog was well taken care of but came up positive on the test. Further investigation revealed the dog was being given outdated heartworm preventative that the owner had acquired from another source. He also had microfilaria ("baby heartworms"). Same party, different heart!

A third case was a 5 year old, giant breed dog that was positive for female heartworms but did not have "baby heartworms" in circulation. This dog was coughing, losing weight and was not eating well. This set of symptoms is commonly seen by veterinarians in central Arizona. Many of these patients will have Valley Fever, or in large and giant breed dogs (e.g. Mastiffs, Great Danes, St. Bernards) they can have a heart disease called cardiomyopathy. This particular patient was negative for valley fever and did not look like a cardiomyopathy case on x-rays. However, he was positive for heartworms. He did not have microfilaria or "baby heartworms" in his blood. This means his symptoms are probably being caused by several lonely females in his heart.

In future blogs we will discuss how I lied when I said that the heartworms lived in the heart. Also, how do dogs get heartworms? How do you treat heartworm disease?
See your veterinarian ASAP if your dog is not tested and on preventative for heartworms. If you need our services at the Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic, call 480-987-4555.

SPAY AND NEUTER- IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE DO IT RIGHT

2009-10-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

Spaying or Neutering is beneficial to the health of both your pet and your pocketbook.
The procedure/s reduces, and in many cases eliminates, the chances your furry friend will develop a host of often life-threatening and expensive medical conditions later in life.

When it comes to spaying, the earlier the better. If the animal is spayed before her first heat, there is very little chance she will develop breast cancer. Spaying also eliminates the chance of uterine and ovarian cancer as well as serious uterine infections like metritis or pyometra.
Neutering completely eliminates testicular cancer in male pets and reduces prostate problems in dogs (cats don’t have prostates) by 90%. It also may control them from urine marking in the house. Neutered cats stay closer to home and are not as aggressive. They still may be territorial but they’re not out looking for trouble and they don’t get in as many fights. But neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. A rambunctious, guard or hunting dog will still be the same.

At Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic our spay and neuter procedures have been developed for the safety and comfort of our patients.

-Only specially trained technicians monitor the anesthesia.
-During surgery our sophisticated electronic monitoring instruments measure blood pressure, oxygen level, carbon dioxide level, temperature, heart rate and EKG.

-The pet is kept warm with a warming water blanket, IV fluid warmer, warm towels and a hot air convection warmer.

-IV fluids and anesthesia protocols that fit the patient and the procedure ensure a quick recovery so the pet can go home the same day

-Narcotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are given before, during and after surgery for the comfort of the pet

- While anesthetized, patients receive a complimentary toenail trim and ear canal exam- This is also a great time for you to have your pet Microchipped!

-We use absorbable sutures, which are less irritating to the pet and do not require a follow-up visit for removal

-Close monitoring continues after surgery. Pets are not just placed in a cage and left unattended to recover on their own. At least one technician is with the patient at all times until they are fully recovered

-All spay/neuter surgeries include a complimentary post op exam

Please call our Receptionists to schedule your Pre-Surgical Exam at 480-987-4555. Thank You!
Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic

The Right Vaccine For Your Pet- We Give It Our Best Shot!

2009-10-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

When it comes to immunizing your dog or cat against disease, one size does not fit all. So when people call and ask how much vaccines cost there’s really no standard answer. It depends on what specific shots your pet needs as well as their age, health, and lifestyle.
Some veterinary clinics have one vaccination program and that’s what’s administered regardless of the pet’s particular situation. They may even vaccinate for diseases not typically seen in Arizona like Lyme Disease and Leptospirosis or seen rarely, like Giardia.
At Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic we tailor the right vaccination program to your pet’s needs Your pet first receives a thorough exam in a relaxed sit-down atmosphere where we take time to evaluate your pet’s condition, explain the examination process and answer all your questions.
We only use the best and safest vaccines available that have been tested and approved by the USDA. Except for some sleepiness afterwards, reactions to our vaccines are rare. We’ll tell you what vaccines you need, and what you don’t need and let you know how you can save money. For example there are 3 year vaccines available and if you have an indoor cat you may not need FeLV vaccines.
There’s a lot more to vaccines than just the price. Call us at 480-987-4555. We’ll be happy to help your pet get with the program.

We're Right in the Neighborhood

2009-09-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

The neighborhood veterinarian for Queen Creek area pets since 2004, Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic wants to be your “other family doctor.” So whether your neighborhood is Johnson Ranch, Copper Basin, Circle Cross Ranch, San Tan Heights, Sun City Anthem, Encanterra, or the newly named San Tan Valley, we’re close by, conveniently located at Bella Vista and Hunt Highway, just ¼ mile from the Ironwood/Gantzel corridor.

Recognizing the special bond between people and their pets, Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic provides comprehensive medical and surgical veterinary services along with an emphasis on owner education and preventative care. You and your furry friend are welcome to stop by and tour our facility. We’ll be happy to show you around and give your pet a “welcome gift”

Ron and the Staples Easy Button

2009-08-06T09:43:00.001-07:00

Ron LOVES the Easy Button!! We have to lock it in a cupboard or else we hear it going off all day. Not too good when you are in an exam room with a client and all you can here is the Easy Button saying..... "That was Easy!" Sometimes Ron will find a computer mouse and start stepping on that too, in hopes of getting a treat! What a character!

New to Arizona? Here are the Following 10 Worst Wanted

2009-08-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

1. SONORAN DESERT TOADS:
Aka; Colorado River Toads
Last seen: at night, just before or after Monsoon Season
Danger: neurological toxins on skin glands cause seizure-like symptoms and excessive salivation if a dog licks, bites or plays with the toad or drinks from a water bowl where the toad was sitting.
Treatment: flush out your dog’s mouth thoroughly with a water hose aiming sideways, not down his throat. If a pet is not back to normal within 30 minutes and continues to salivate, vomit or acts strangely, take to your veterinarian immediately.

2. RATTLESNAKES:
Aka; Diamond back, Mojave or any of the 17 rattlesnake species native to Arizona.
Last seen: summer evenings after sunset or warm spring and fall days.
Danger: curious or aggressive dogs confront snake, get bitten. The venom causes tissue necrosis and sometimes neurological symptoms.
Prevention: do not let dog run ahead of you on walks. Consider Snake Aversion Training. Ask your veterinarian about the Rattlesnake Vaccine.

3. SCORPIONS:
Aka; Bark Scorpion
Last seen: outside at night during warmer summer months. Inside your house all year round.
Danger: scorpion venom contains enzymes which are very painful.
Prevention: supervise dogs on night walks. Hard to prevent if scorpions are in your home.
Treatment: watch animal for signs of drooling, swelling at site of sting, tremors, breathing problems, dilated pupils and acting painful. If pet does not improve, take to your veterinarian. Do NOT give your pet any medication from home! Seek veterinary care!

4. SPIDERS:
Aka; Black Widow, Brown Recluse and Tarantula
Last seen: in dark crevices, holes and wood piles. Often seen in garages.
Danger: female black widow’s venom can injure, even kill a small pet.
Prevention: limit pet access to places that may be home to the above spiders
Treatment: For Black Widow Bites, Onset of clinical signs is usually 8 hours post venomation. Cats are very sensitive and death is common. Primary treatment is a special antivenom. Seek a 24 hour Emergency Clinic for care. Prognosis is uncertain and complete recovery may take weeks.

5. VALLEY FEVER:
Aka; Coccidiomycosis, a fungal spore found in the Arizona dirt. Primary infection affects the lungs and can become disseminated form which spreads to bones, joints, brain and other organs.
Last seen: in the warm arid climates of the deserts of the Southwestern United States.
Danger: can cause fever, listlessness, cough, weight loss, limping, abscess and seizures.
Treatment: a blood test is needed to confirm the disease. Long term treatment with anti-fungals and follow up blood tests are needed.
Prevention: reduce pet’s exposure to desert soil and dust from wind. Avoid busy construction sites.

6. HEARTWORM:
WHAT IT IS: a serious, potentially fatal canine disease spread by mosquitoes.
More prevalent near lakes, golf courses, swimming pools and irrigated land.
Transmitted: mosquito bites infected dog then bites another. Infected larvae enters a dog’s bloodstream and develops into adult worms living in the heart.
Symptoms: cough, listlessness, weight loss, reduced endurance.
Treatment: expensive and harsh, requires painful injections, restricted activity and possible radiographs. Continued veterinary care for several months.
Prevention: easy and safe; Annual blood tests that can be performed at your yearly exam and monthly medications.

7. CANINE TICK FEVER: aka; Erlichiosis caused by the brown dog tick:
Last seen: this particular tick is found everywhere in the United States.
Transmitted: dog becomes infected when bitten by the tick carrying the organism. It only takes one and sometimes is undetected by the owner.
Symptoms: non- specific but may include, listlessness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, abnormal bleeding and eye/nose discharge. Disease can be chronic, even fatal.
Treatement: diagnosed via blood test. Treat with antibiotics. Some dogs require blood transfusions.
Prevention: check dog for ticks, especially when hiking. Use Frontline Plus monthly. Infested areas in home or yard may require professional exterminator for several months.

8. HEAT-RELATED PROBLEMS
Heatstroke: don’t leave dogs outside during Arizona summer. If dogs are outside, provide shade and a tip-proof water bowl. Don’t hike with pet during heat of the day. DON’T leave your dog in a car, even with windows slightly open, even on a “nice” day; temps in cars can reach 150-200 degrees in minutes. Take extra care with overweight, thick coated or short muzzled dogs which are most sensitive to heat.
Hot pavement: if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws!
Sunburn: pet’s with pale skin, thin coats and pink noses can get sunburned, even skin cancer. Be aware that certain sunscreens and zinc are toxic to animals. Best prevention, keep indoors. Ask for recommendations from your veterinarian.

9. SWIMMING POOLS:
Last seen: everywhere in the greater Phoenix area.
Danger: pet’s may jump or fall in but be unable to get out and drown. If in winter, pet can suffer hypothermia.
Prevention: fence around pool. Show dogs where the steps are and how to get out. Create a ramp or other device to help small dogs and cats. Supervise old, ill or blind animals. Never leave alone around a pool.

10. CACTUS:
Aka: jumping cholla, fishhook, prickly pear, etc.
Last seen: everywhere in Arizona.
Danger: pain, abscesses, infection especially around face.
Symptoms: if you see cactus on your pet, or if it is crying or limping, cactus may be in paw.
Treatment: use a large-tooth comb to quickly remove burrs and stickers. More serious cases require veterinary care and treatment.
Prevention: keep dogs on a leash; do not let them roam in natural desert areas.

Ron's Goldfish Adventure

2009-08-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

One of our most curious Housecats, Ron, went on a fishing expedition this morning, literally fishing for Goldfish!

Trying to look inconspicuous he first laid as near to the Goldfish Cracker Bag as he could. Then, with a swipe of a paw, he knocked the Goldfish bag on its side and with a slow, deliberate motion sweep of his paw, he removed one small goldfish snack and began eating away.

After finishing his "fish" dinner he began licking his lips, fully satisfied and very proud of his accomplishment.

Canine Bladder Surgery

2009-08-03T13:44:00.001-07:00