FROM OUR VETS: Dr. Baillie Talks Chickens

The first city chicken I ever saw in practice, back in the seventies, was an orange rooster named Jerry.   Jerry and owner Tammy lived in Phalen in St. Paul and they'd been calling all over the Cities trying to find a vet to help her with Jerry's health concerns; he was her favorite in her backyard flock.  This was at the original Cedar Pet Clinic in south Minneapolis.

Today, backyard or urban chickens are one of the fastest growing areas of our practice.   As many owners discover, chickens are a delight to have as pets...although the roosters can be a little noisy.  Many communities are starting to recognize that they be safely kept in town, and ordinances are changing to allow them as pets.  Some chickens live in the house and go outside during the day, and others have fancy coops and pens to live in year round.  Chickens form strong lifelong emotional bonds with each other as well as other species.  They are routine- and home-centered and can thrive in a space the size of a normal urban backyard and home.  They can coexist happily with compatible dogs and cats and have similar life spans.  

We see a variety of health issues in chickens including injuries, respiratory, intestinal, reproductive and parasitic issues, but most are treatable with the owners providing most of the care. We see chickens in all different sizes and colors. Breeds include Bantams to Wyandottes, and everything in between.  Some of the Bantams only weigh a couple of pounds and the largest breeds may go over twenty pounds.  And you can only imagine the colors -- reds, white, orange, black, grey and many different combinations.  

Just another of the many different types of pets we see at Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo, and you may get to see (or hear!) them in the reception area.

FROM OUR VETS: Dog Bite Prevention Always Worth Talking About

From Dr. Baillie:

As school gets out, and summer activities hit high gear, it's a good time of year to be talking about dog bite prevention;  almost 5 million dog bites occur every year in our country.   Bites accounted for more than one-third of homeowners' insurance liability claims in 2011 according to the Insurance Information Institute.  

Teaching children how to interact with dogs--even if you don't own one--can go a long way in preventing injury. Kids aged 5-9 years old are most often the ones injured, and usually the dog that bit them is not a stranger. The AVMA estimates that of the children under the age of 18 who have been bitten, family dogs are responsible for 30% of the bites, while the neighbor's dog is responsible for another 50% of the bites.

Tips from the AVMA include:

*Carefully select your pet,  considering the breed and your own lifestyle.  Puppies should not be obtained on impulse.  We are happy to consult with you about finding your best dog breed match (in fact, we love to talk dogs!)  

*Make sure your pet is socialized as a puppy so it feels relaxed around people and animals.

*Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.

*Train your dog. Basic commands help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of trust.

*Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

*Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war.

*Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog.

*Keep your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and other health care are important because how your dog feels affects how it behaves.

*Neuter your pet.

*Make sure gates are secure.

If you are bitten by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:

* If the dog's owner is present, get the owner's name and contact information, and request proof of rabies vaccination.  

* Clean bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.

* Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if the bite occurs after office hours.

*  Contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records.   

We have sent several Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo staff members for special training in dog bite prevention and have, in the past, presented programs for day camps and elementary schools.  If you have questions or problems regarding dog bite situations feel free to call us at 651-770-3250 for help or advice.   

For more information on dog bite prevention, visit http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/ for helpful tips and resources for the whole family.

National Pet Week--May 6-12

Animal Maze!  

Can you help the sick pup get to his veterinarian?

National Pet Week

Animal riddles
Can you guess them all?

National Pet Week May 6-12

Fun and Games! Follow image link below to play several different pet games--all celebrating the fun our pets can bring us!

(and yesterday's mystery animal--did you guess "Tapir"? Although they are not a "pet", you'd be able to see them at local zoos.  They are related to horses and rhinoceroses.)

Match the animal baby to its parent!

And.....can you identify this animal and her baby?  Answer to follow tomorrow!

Photo credit: 

Tapir And Baby by Vera Kratochvil

National Pet Week--Memory Game!

Test your memory, challenge your family, and see who knows the important things that our pets need to be happy and healthy!

"Being this adorable is a team effort!"

Print and enjoy!