Surface Creek Veterinary Center - April 2021

April 2021 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474

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Cuts, Quills, Strains, and Sprains THE BASICS OF PET FIRST AID

Are you dreaming up spring and summer plans? It’s not uncommon for folks to experience some cabin fever this time of year, and planning some upcoming hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor adventures can be just the antidote. It’s also the perfect time to make other preparations, like ensuring your first aid kit has all the necessary supplies to address a human or canine emergency when you’re out in the wild (for more on that, see Page 3). April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and though you may not have thought about the prospect of administering first aid to your feline or canine companion, it’s very useful to have some basic first aid knowledge and skills to address common ailments. One of the most common injuries we see here at Surface Creek is cuts. When your four- pawed companions come along on a trip to the mountains, there are many sharp objects — from barbed wire to rocks — that can cut your dog’s pads, legs, or body. If your dog gets cut, focus on stopping the bleeding through compression. Much like you would do if you or a human friend got cut, you can apply a cotton ball, gauze, or even a clean article of clothing to the wound. Once the bleeding is under control, you can roll gauze around the wound and apply vet wrap or a similar elastic, self-adherent bandage to keep compression on the wound and keep dirt and debris out! Be sure not to wrap this too

tightly, though! Then, bring your pup in to see us. Depending on the wound, your canine friend may need stitches or antibiotics. While the cut may not look too bad to you, your dog will lick its wounds, and that can lead to infection. If you’re thinking, “But aren’t there healing factors in a dog’s saliva?” you’re right, but there’s also a lot of bad bacteria in there too! Strains and sprains are also common. While there’s no gauze-wrapping required on your end, your attention is needed! If you notice your dog holding up its leg or limping, put them on doggie best rest! That is, let them get plenty of rest and relaxation for a few days to see if that helps. If they are still limping after several days or if they are whimpering or howling in pain, it’s time to bring them in to see us. We have one more prickly topic to talk about before we wrap up: porcupines. We’ve pulled thousands of quills from dogs over the years, and we want to pass on some of what we’ve learned about this painful and tricky problem. If your dog’s curiosity gets the better of them and they get quilled, you’ll need to assess the situation. If there are just a few quills and you’re able to pull them yourself without endangering yourself or your dog (they may balk at the physical restraint; remember: they’re in pain!), go ahead. However, if there are many quills or your dog is not cooperating, please bring them in so we can sedate them and pull the quills before they cause more damage.

There’s an old wives’ tale that cutting off the tip of a quill makes it easier to pull. We’ve experimented with this over the years, and trust us when we tell you that it does not work. Porcupine quills are barbed on the end — that’s what makes them so hard to remove — and no amount of snipping will help. In fact, it can make it even harder to pull the quill because there’s less to work with. And if the quill gets further lodged into your dog’s body, it can migrate and cause serious damage to your dog’s lungs, heart, or spine. Bringing your pet in to be sedated and have the quills pulled has another perk. We’re able to give them antibiotics, which help ensure there is no secondary infection. Make it your mission this month to brush up on your pet first aid skills and create a first aid kit to pack along on your outings with your favorite travel companions. And watch out for those porcupines!

Dr. Jeff & Dr. Susie

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HOME ON THE RANGE The Best Companion

How Pets Improve Our Health and Happiness Feline Friends or Canine Comrades

Catching Up With Dr. Susie

There’s always plenty going on at home with Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff. In addition to their family of six, they also have 14 sheep; four alpacas; and cows, rabbits, and chickens. To round out their pack, they have cats and dogs, as well. In fact, the pack grew recently when the Hirsch family welcomed a Pyrenees pup named Greg. The 6-month-old is learning the ropes from the Hirsch’s

As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of

experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can

Buck and Fala the black sheep

9-year-old Pyrenees, Buck, and through firsthand experience and positive reinforcement from the Hirsch family. Greg will surely get plenty of love and pets, but he’s also there to guard the sheep alongside Buck, who is already a pro.

be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just

Dr. Susie says that Greg spent his first days in the sheep pen, but he was so small that he fit right through the pen’s squares and ended up back at their front door. Early on, the rambunctious pup was also a bit much for Buck, but the two have since adjusted. “At first, Buck completely ignored Greg,” Dr. Susie says, adding that Greg was ready to play and kept grabbing Buck’s scruff. “Now they are friends.”

what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The

Buck and Greg

daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives.

If you’re thinking that raising two dogs plus a small farm’s worth of livestock and running a veterinary clinic sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. Dr. Susie spends about 45 minutes each morning and evening doing chores to make sure the animals are fed, watered, and well. Though the word “chore” can have a negative connotation, Dr. Susie says, “I like doing the chores. It’s my time to myself.” It’ll come as no surprise that she also loves spending time around the animals and being outdoors. When pressed to pick a favorite, Dr. Susie named three — cats, cows, and sheep — but as you might expect from a veterinarian, she enjoys them all for different reasons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

Fala the black sheep and Buck

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The sheep in their pen

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Essential Supplies BUILD YOUR OWN PET FIRST AID KIT

In this month’s cover, Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff talked about some of the most common pet injuries they see here at Surface Creek Veterinary Clinic and ways for you, as a pet owner, to administer first aid until you’re able to bring your dog or cat into the clinic for further examination. In order to administer care, you’ll need a few supplies! The good news is that pet first aid supplies aren’t all that different from human first aid supplies. It’s always smart to have a first aid kit at home and to carry at least the essentials with you when adventuring with your pup — especially if you’re out in the wilderness! This includes the items listed below, as well as any pertinent pet information, like their vaccine history. Gauze and Cotton Balls A roll of gauze, a few gauze pads, or cotton balls will come in handy if your pet gets a cut, scrape, or other abrasion that causes bleeding. Apply these along with some pressure to the wound to help stop the bleeding. Self-Adherent Wrap Tape Once you have the bleeding under control, apply clean gauze (or apply a clean layer of gauze to the existing gauze if the bleeding is bad), then wrap your pet’s wound with self-adherent wrap such as Vet Wrap, which is specifically

designed for animals! Be sure not to wrap the wounded area too tightly. Applying wrap has

the added benefit of keeping your pup from licking its wound, which can introduce infectious bacteria. Tweezers and Scissors You’ll be grateful to have tweezers in your kit when your

pup encounters splinters, ticks, or porcupine quills. As noted in the cover, if you aren’t able to easily remove quills lodged in your dog’s skin (or if there are many quills), please bring them in to see us. Scissors are useful for cutting gauze and self-adhesive wrap. CleanWater This may seem like a strange thing to include on a list of supplies, but having clean water at the ready will ensure you’re able to flush your pet’s wound of any dirt, sand, or debris before you apply gauze to stop the bleeding and wrap the wound.

You can also download the American Red Cross Pet First Aid app, which provides basic guidance for pet owners.

Homemade Dog Food You'll Want to Try

Clients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month:

This dish will become an instant classic for your pup! Use as a meal or treat. Consult with your veterinarian before committing exclusively to homemade food for your pet. INGREDIENTS

Kelly Barton Abbi Taylor Stephanie McCue Myles & Lisa Roberts Jennifer Craig Teri Gray Naomi Bjorklund

• • • •

6 cups water

1 lb ground turkey 2 cups brown rice

8 oz frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower mix

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large Dutch oven, add water, turkey, and rice. Stir until everything is evenly mixed. 2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. 3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. 4. Stir in the frozen vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes. 5. Allow the food to cool before serving and refrigerate between feedings.

We Reward Referrals!

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Inspired by AllRecipes.com

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The Basics of Pet First Aid inside this issue

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Caring for Pets Brings Health and Happiness

Catching Up With Dr. Susie

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Essential Pet First Aid Supplies

Homemade Dog Food You'll Want to Try

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A Tail That Inspired Thousands

A TAIL THAT INSPIRED THOUSANDS Winter the Dolphin

Winter the dolphin was only 2 years old when rescuers found her with a crab trap line wrapped so tightly around her tail it was cutting off the circulation to her flukes. Unfortunately, this led to the eventual loss of her tail. In most cases, dolphins can’t survive without their flukes. When Winter first arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her caregivers worried about her overall health. The infection that had taken over her tail due to loss of circulation was spreading, and if it reached her spinal cord, they knew she would die. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained untouched. Winter adapted to her situation, but then a new problem arose. Without flukes, Winter began moving her body side-to-side to swim, which caused scoliosis in her spine. However, an expert created a custom prosthetic tail for her, enabling her to swim normally again without impacting her spine. Since then, Winter has thrived!

The story of what Winter went through, her struggle to recover, and how she fought to live has inspired thousands of people. Children and adults who have lost their limbs or were born with disabilities travel from around the world to meet her. She encourages people to keep fighting, and many feel that if Winter could overcome her obstacles, they can, too. There was even a film made about her called “Dolphin Tale.” In fact, many of the scenes from the movie were shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Winter starred as herself. The film captures her triumphant story and chronicles how she inspires people around the world. To learn more about Winter, read inspirational stories, or donate to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visit CMAquarium.org. And, of course, “Dolphin Tale” is a great film for your next movie night!

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