|
Consider
the Source
Yoda's Advice to the Unknowing
Dear
Yoda,
I am a pleasantly plump 7 year old poodle. I have
many kitty brothers and sisters who bury delicacies
in the garden for me to find. Unfortunately, my people
seem to frown on my dining habits and won't return
my kisses after I have feasted on my hors d'ouvres
(she says my breath smells). What do you suggest?
Waiting breathlessly in Garden Bay.
Peppy Pooper Scooper
Dear
Peppy,
Why dogs are drawn to eating this I'll never know.
You never see a cat in the garden munching down a
former fancy feast. I have heard that this is a hard
habit to break, especially for a guy your age. If
it is at all possible, have your people fence off
the garden area so you are unable to go to your favorite
diner. If this is not possible there is a powder available
at your veterinarians that your people could give
your cat housemates that would make their poop taste
even worse (imagine) and this may deter you from continuing
this nasty habit.
Dear
Yoda,
Who makes a better pet dog, a male or a female?
Ann Drogenous
Dear Ann,
This is a trick question…there are no good pet
dogs!!!
If
you have any questions for me, please have your people
write or e-mail my personal receptionists (I have
more than one) or just drop your questions off here
at the hospital.
Yoda
|
|
Your
Eagle Ridge Veterinary Hospital
|
|
|
"Yoda"
the Cat
Dr. Don French
Dr. Rick Smalley
Tamara Cox
Darla Messner
Jaime Dragan
Kristy Hemstalk
Flora Wainright
|
Goodwill
Ambassador
Veterinarian/Owner
Veterinarian
Reg. Animal Technologist
Veterinary Receptionist
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Volunteer |
|
|
|
|
|
2002
SPCA Calendar of Events
November 2 - Dance
at Seniors Centre, Sechelt
December 7 - Bake sale
December 15 - Pet Pictures with Santa
Congratulations to Shelter
Manager Bob Busch who has been promoted to Regional
Manager for the Interior Region and will be opening
an administration office in Kelowna. It has been
our pleasure knowing and working with you.
|
| |
|
|
DIDYOU
KNOW?
|
|
- The
flea's jumping ability is NOT due to muscular
action, but is due to compression and subsequent
release of energy from a natural rubber
(resilin) pad in the hind leg?
- Fleas lay their eggs on their host, not in
cracks and crevices of your home. Flea eggs
are not sticky and readily fall from the pet
into the environment!!
- Female cat fleas begin egg production within
36 - 48 hours of taking their first blood meal,
reach maximum production within 4 - 9 days,
and are capable of laying for over 100 days.
- In one experimental situation, female fleas
produced and average of 1,348 eggs during their
first 50 days on the host!!
- A flea jumping 150 times its length is the
equivalent of a human leaping the length of
3 football fields.
|
|
|
Coexisting
with Coyotes
Over the summer
we have had numerous coyote sightings mentioned to us at
the hospital. Sometimes these encounters have become deadly.
Coyotes are wild animals, however, they have adjusted well
to living in close proximity to humans, even in large cities.
Coyotes are opportunistic and are drawn to places where
they can find "easy pickings." Coyotes are generally
active throughout the day with peak activity at dawn and
dusk. They may also be active at night, especially in urban
areas where they feel safer after dark.
To coyote-proof
your environment, take the following measures:
1. If you keep
livestock or small animals, confine them in secure pens,
especially from dusk to dawn. Coyotes seek cover when hunting
so remove brush piles, low-growing vegetation, and any other
possible shelter sites.
2. Coyotes are
attracted to food scraps in garbage. Dispose of trash in
a metal can, and make sure the lid fits tightly. Secure
it further with a bungee cord or chain.
3. Coyotes infrequently
prey on domestic animals such as cats and small dogs, especially
when with humans. However, they may be drawn into areas
where there are free-roaming pets. To prevent potential
conflicts, keep companion animals indoors, especially from
dusk to dawn. It is best not to feed cats and dogs outdoors,
but, if you have no other alternative, pick up food and
water bowls, as well as leftovers and spilled food as soon
as your pets have finished eating. Do not leave bowls or
food scraps outside at night.
EMPLOYEE
OF THE DECADE
TAMARA COX RAHT
August 16, 2002 was a special
day because it marked the 10th anniversary of Tamara
Cox joining the Eagle Ridge Veterinary Hospital
healthcare team. We are a better team for it. Tamara's
knowledge and skills as a Registered Animal Health
Technologist are outstanding and contribute immensely
to the quality care we provide for our patients.
Tamara's love of animals and dedication to nurturing
the human-animal bond has bettered the lives of
our patients and their owners. Her caring disposition,
friendly personality and patience as a staff trainer
make her a highly respected supervisor and much-appreciated
workmate.
Tamara's knowledge and skills as a Registered Animal
Health Technologist are broad and in-depth. She
is an invaluable assistant to the doctors; administering
medications and placing intravenous catheters, providing
nursing care to acutely ill and surgical patients,
anesthesia and critical monitoring, operating room/surgical
assistant for everything from cat spays to major
orthopedic and intestinal surgery, and the critically
important task of pain assessment and pain management.
One of the other hats Tamara wears is that of laboratory
technician. This involves blood collection, microscopic
blood and urine evaluation, fecal tests, skin and
ear cytology, performing in-house lab tests such
as Heartworm, Giardia (Beaver Fever) and FeLv/FIV
in cats and very importantly, the operation and
maintenance of our IDEXX Blood Analyzer.
If you have ever needed something special ordered
you'll know that Tamara looks after all the ordering
of products and medications. In her role as Hospital
Manager, Tamara also oversees the technical aspects
of hospital operations and staff training. It's
not hard to see why Tamara's skills as a RAHT are
so valued by the entire staff and myself.
Tamara also has a keen interest and expertise in
both behaviour and nutrition. The doctors regularly
rely on her to research nutritional information
and access diets to meet a myriad of disease conditions.
Owners also frequently call upon her to assist in
dealing with all kinds of behaviour issues.
In recognition of her years of unwavering dedication
to Eagle Ridge and our patients, we sent Tamara
and her partner Thomas on a trip to go whale watching
on the BC coast.
Don French
 |
EAGLE RIDGE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
PET SAFE TIPS
Bite
Wounds/Lacerations
- Handle the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten.
- Muzzle the animal if needed.
- Check the wound for
contamination or debris. If significant debris is present,
then clean the wound with large amounts of clean cool water
or clean with antibiotic soap ("Hibitane").
- Wrap large open wounds
to keep them
clean. Wear gloves when possible. Bite wounds often become
infected and need professional care. Smaller skin punctures
can also develop into abscesses several days later. So watch
your pet closely to catch a problem early.
|
