It's that time of year again. the snow is melting and the weather is getting warmer. The trails and forests are being opened up for us to all enjoy. Here are a few things to remember when hiking with your best friend.

Hiking Safety: Make sure the hike is appropriate for your dog. That it is not too long for your friend too make comfortably.  Hiking in overly hot weather should also be avoided, as dogs are much more susceptible to the dangers of heat stroke. 

Dog Hiking Gear:  Here is a list of recommended items to have with you.

• Poop Bags
• Dog collar with ID tags and a sturdy 6 foot leash
• water supply and a portable water bowl
• Dog treats and/or snacks
• Pet first-aid kit
• Pet-safe insect repellent
• Dog booties for hiking in rough terrain

Trail etiquette:  Always be sure to be aware of any restrictions that may be on that trail. Your dog should be under control at all times. Dogs that are excessively barking, aggressive, or chasing animals are not under control. Remember that although your dog my just want to be friends that is not always true for the other people and dogs on the trial. 
National Park B.A.R.K rule:

• Bag your pet's waste
• Always leash your pet
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go.

San Juan National Forest rules read as: On Wilderness Trails

• Leash your dog around packers, horses, and stock animals(including stock/working dogs)
• Dogs must always be under strict leash or voice control. Maintain control of your dog at all times. Ensure your dog is a good steward of the land and respects other visitors
• Make sure that you have enough water for your canine companion.
• Please do not approach or harass wildlife or livestock or working dogs.
• Walk around and not through groups of wildlife or livestock.
• If you encounter wildlife or livestock, make them aware of you presence and move slowly.

Here is a great poster about things to watch out for now that the weather is warming up after a long winter.

Emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. We also realize that sometimes you need guidelines to determine if your pet is having an emergency.

Below is a list of signs of an emergency. If you see any of these signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Bleeding that does not stop
• Difficulty breathing or choking/gagging or nonstop coughing
• Hit-by-car/tractor/atv/deer etc. or falls!
• Broken leg or Large wound
• Bloated, distended, swollen or painful abdomen
• Penetrating wounds (especially in the chest or abdomen)
• Vomiting or diarrhea with blood
• Ingestion of dangerous food, poisons, plants or other materials
• Loss of consciousness
• Neurological signs (staggering, stumbling, head tilt, sudden blindness)
• Seizures (more than 1 in 24 hours)
• Inability to urinate or defecate
• Inability to deliver puppies or kittens
• Lethargic with pale gums
• Severe allergic reaction (hives or itching)
• Injury to eye
• Sudden lameness or not walking in the hind end
• Heatstroke or hypothermia
• Not drinking for 24 or more hours
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum or coughing up blood

Below is a list of urgent symptoms. If you see any of these, please contact your veterinarian in 24 to 48 hours.

• Torn toe nail
• Mild allergic reaction
• Lameness
• Seizures (only one)
• Ear infections
• Small Wounds
• Pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• ​Inflammation or redness of eyes

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This is not a complete list but the most common. If you have any questions about what is going on with your pet please call your veterinarian.

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As the heat of summer is reaching a peak, remember that our furry friends are feeling it also. Below are some tips to help your pet through the heat.

Hi, Just trying to keep you posted on what I learn as we travel through this crazy time. Most reports -including the Herald-list veterinary clinics as essential businesses.  So we are currently allowed to stay open but must follow the protocols laid down to try and control this coronavirus.

1) We must reduce the number of clients in the waiting room. We have re-arranged chairs to increase distance between people. We will try to do what we can to speed appointments to get people back out of the door as quickly as possible. We ask that only one person can come in with a pet. 

2) Clean, clean, clean and then clean some more. Our disinfectants are supposed to be able to kill the virus. Wiping down surfaces has been shown to be more effective than just spraying. This includes everything from keyboards to phones to waiting room chairs. 

3) Limit your own personal ability to spread disease: hand washing, sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue which is discarded immediately, stay home if ill or having a fever, keeping your hands off your face--one report said that there are only 5 places on the human body this virus can enter: eyes, mouth, nostrils, so don't touch them. 

4) Be aware that some medications that are commonly used have probably been produced in China and there may be a shortage.

6) We are open to scheduling phone call consultations . A fee will apply.

7) There may be an occasion where someone needs to drop off a pet outside of the building for us to treat. Please call the front desk to let us know you are here and we will come out to the car.

8) Above all, take care of yourselves and follow the guidelines. Try to be patient with each other.
Be safe!

Spring is a time to get out and enjoy the sun again. As you spend more time with your pets remember a few things. We see an increase of Intestinal issues as our furry friends find things to get into as winter releases it hold on the landscape. It is also the time of year to get your pet tested for heartworm and begin the seasonal preventative for all the parasites'. 
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As the weather cools off and the colors of the Mother Nature pop, remember that fall has some hazards of its own.
Wild Mushrooms: Fall is the prime time to pick mushrooms. However our furry friends don’t always know which ones are harmful. Always keep an eye out for any that your pet may eat.

Hunting Season: Be aware of the hunters in the woods.   Be sure that both you and your dog wear some orange.

Household Poisons: As the weather cools and the pests begin to move in, more people make use of pest control such as rat poison and insecticides. Always keep these well out of reach for any pet. People are also topping off the antifreeze in cars and other systems. Always be on the lookout for anything harmful your pet may ingest around the house.

Darkness: As the days get shorter and you have to spend time walking your best friend in the decreasing light, make use of reflective collars, leashes or a blinking light. These help make your pet more visible to you and other people.

Holiday Treats: Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner. Remember to keep all candy and human food out of reach. Also make sure to keep the trashcan put away so it is not a temptation.

Fall Harvest: Make sure to pick up or restrict the access to rotting fruit and vegetables.

Weather: Be sure that your animal has a safe and warm place to go as the temperatures falls. Your pet may spend less time outside.

If you are considering traveling with your pet, whether it be within the United States or abroad, it is important to be aware of each state and country’s rules and regulations for importation or movement of pets. 
In the United States, the interstate movement of animals requires a pet health certificate.  Furthermore, many  countries and airlines require an official health certificate performed by a USDA accredited veterinarian.  You should contact your veterinarian directly to find out if he/she is accredited.  The process of obtaining the necessary testing or examinations can take days to weeks, so you should plan well in advance to be sure all paperwork is complete prior to your travels.  

Which country you are traveling to determines which type of health certificate you need.
You can find out what all the requirements are for any country by visiting the website  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country/export-pets

 A Health Certificate is issued by a vet stating that the animal is healthy and has been given all the vaccines and parasite treatments required. A health certificate is good for 10 to 30 days depending on where you are going.
Here are a few things you need to have ready to get your animals' health certificate:

1.  A home Address and a Destination address
2.  A record of vaccines and a rabies certificate
3.  A Microchip that is ISO standard
4.  Any other paperwork or permits needed by your destination.

When you make the appointment be sure to give the information to the vet office. This allows us to have most of the information entered and speeds up the appointment.
Canada only requires a Rabies Certificate to get in however the USA requires a health certificate to return.
Mexico has its own special health certificate and does require parasite treatment within 30 days of entering the country.
Hawaii requires rabies titers to be done at least 30 days before arriving, however keep in mind this test takes a couple of weeks so it is best to test at least 6 weeks before travel. It is best to look up and do everything on the checklist. You can get it at the website given above.

Other International Health Certificates
Different countries require different tests and procedures done in the months prior to travel. A checklist for all requirements can be found on the Aphis website.
Depending on the country some of these have to also be signed by USDA Vet as well. This will add a couple of days to the process so be sure to acount for that when you are scheduleing the appointments.

People have a lot of questions about their pets' pregnancies. How long are they? When can the find out how many? What do you feed during and after?
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Dogs 
The gestation period is 58-68 days; avg. is 63 days or roughly 9 weeks.
We can ultrasound to confirm pregnancy 23- 30 after breeding.
An X-ray can be done around day 50 or later to get a count of how many to expect.
We recommend an increase in food during the gestation followed by a slow transition to puppy food in the last few weeks of the pregnancy and while the dog is nursing puppies.
Prepare a whelping box or area to introduce the animal to during the last 3 weeks so that she is comfortable in the space. Most dogs will began to display nesting behavior in the last couple of week before giving birth.
The easiest way to know that your dog is about to whelp is to start taking a temperature twice a day for the last 1-2 weeks of the pregnancy to get a baseline. The temperature will drop by 1 to 2 degrees about 18 hours before labor.
When active labor goes smoothly, it should all be over in a few hours. We recommend that if everything is going well the best thing to do is to stay back and let her do what comes naturally.
You may help if it appears that she is not licking the sack off by tearing the sack and gently but vigorously rubbing the puppy with a warm and dry towel. You may also suction-bulb the fluid from the nose and mouth of the pup, and then return the puppy to the mother.

SIGNS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND YOU NEED TO CALL A VET.

• A drop in body temperature followed by a rise again with no puppies
• Green discharge before the birth of the 1st puppy or with any puppy
• Visible contractions for more than a half an hour without the birth of a puppy
• More than 2 to 4 hours between puppies
• Increase in the amount of bloody discharge that doesn't stop

​If you have any questions be sure to call your veterinarian.

Cats
The gestation period is 60-69 days or roughly 9 weeks.
You can tell that your cat is pregnant by an abrupt ending to the heat cycle.
The shape and color of the nipples changes: swelling and change to a dark pink
At about week 5, her abdomen will start to bulge.
Cats will also become more affectionate towards their owners.
In the last few days of the pregnancy the cat will begin to "nest' in a quiet area of the house.
Very few cats have any problems while giving birth; it is best to leave them alone and just check that things are progressing so as not to stress the cat out.
Be sure to feed your cat a nice balanced food through out the gestation period. Increase the amount as she gets closer to birth and after to help with milk production. They need lots of protein and the right minerals.

SIGNS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND YOU NEED TO CALL A VET.

• A drop in body temperature that then rises again with no kittens
• Green discharge before the birth of the 1st kitten or with any kitten
• Visible contractions for more than a half an hour without the birth of a kitten
• More than 2 to 4 hours between kittens
• Increase in the amount of bloody discharge that doesn't stop

If you have any questions be sure to call your veterinarian.