Busch Gardens has begun welcoming guests to watch — and even take part in — some of the work that goes on in the Tampa park’s new Animal Care Center. The major guest components of the facility include a nutrition center, treatment rooms, a clinical lab and an interactive diagnostic activity. The park’s former animal care center was located behind the scenes.

Details: http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa

Associated Press

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/29/2607605/florida-busch-gardens-animal-care.html#storylink=cpy

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER MIAMI

INVITES MIAMI TO SUPPORT

WALK FOR THE ANIMALS, PRESENTED BY PET SUPERMARKET

MIAMI, FL—December 14, 2011– Walk for the Animals, presented by Pet Supermarket, is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Bayfront Park (301 North Biscayne Boulevard) and is an exciting and worthwhile activity for the entire family–and, of course–dogs. The Walk is the Humane Society of Greater Miami’s largest annual community event, attracting over 3,000 people.
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We had a very interesting case recently that highlights abnormal growth and formation of the teeth. “Coco”, is a 1.5 year old Pomeranian. She had a small congenital umbilical hernia but no other health problems. When she was in to have a routine dental cleaning, we noted she had several retained deciduous teeth.

The second tooth from the left is the deciduous of the third tooth. It was never fully expelled.

Abnormal Gumline Due To Periodontal Disease

We are going to talk a little bit about the importance of complete extraction today.  Many people believe that if a tooth falls out it is the end of the problems for that tooth.  Unfortunately, this is not true.  If a tooth falls out due to severe periodontal disease the diseased tissue is still present.  The abnormal inflammation and infection will continue to affect the neighboring tooth.  This dog lost four of the front incisors due to periodontal disease.  The healed edge of the gumline does not have a normal appearance and continues to ooze periodically. 

Normal Bone Surrounding Incisors

The abnormality is even more marked on the radiographs.  The normal shape of the bone holding the incisors is convex with the incisors jutting out past the canine teeth. 
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Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden located in Coral Gables was the host of this year’s Howl-O-Ween Dog event that took place on Sunday October . We enjoyed a wonderful and entertaining day surrounded by spooky and playful hand-made decorations by Bev Murphy, who has for the past five years decorated the gardens for this time of year with found plant materials such as coconut palms, inflorescences, royal palm leaf bases and anything else Ms. Murphy believes will have a second life as a ghost, goblin or witch.

Amongst the many day’s events and activities, there were several agility and obedience competitions and demonstrations given by Paws in Motion, Miami Obedience Club and the Coral Gables K-9 Unit.  There were also many vendors like The Dog Bar and Natural K9 Supply with lots of fashion, food and essentials for the dog lovers. 

A special enjoyment, DOGA (Doggy Yoga) held at the park’s Bailey Palm Glade and the doggie caricatures by Dino DiArtist were definitely a sight to see!  But the Dog Costume Cost was the day’s crowd pleaser with lots of participants in very original costumes and wonderful personalities. It was great to see all the participants meeting each other, we can safely say it was the day where we’ve seen the most wagging tails together in one place.

 We hope to see many more Dogs in costumes and their owners next year!

Halloween is a festive time for children, and a chaotic one for adults: there are the decorations, the candy, pumpkin carving, and crowds of trick-or-treaters waiting to be lavished with treats. With all this mayhem, it can also be a frightening and stressful time for your pets.

As a caring pet owner there are some precautions you can take to keep your pets safe as you enjoy this spooky time of year.

Top Halloween hazards for pets:

#1- Anxiety and Stress: Some pets enjoy the excitement of crowds and are eager to join in the fun. But many dogs — and certainly most cats — become frightened or even uncharacteristically aggressive in crowds. Continual doorbell ringing and people at the door (in costume, no less!) can be very stressful. Some pets may experience stress-related diarrhea, vomiting and can potentially injure themselves due to the anxiety. Keep your pets in a quiet and safe place on Halloween night away from trick-or-treaters. You should also make sure that your pet is always wearing some kind of identification, just in case. A rabies tag, or a tag with your contact information and even micro-chipping your pet is an ideal way to ensure that in case your pet runs out as you hand out treats, they can be traced back to you if someone finds them.

#2- Decorations: Halloween decorations have evolved from basic carved pumpkins to elaborate and lavish outdoor displays. Sometimes, the materials used can be dangerously attractive for pets. Small, low-hanging decorations on trees and shrubbery can tempt some pets to take a nibble, resulting in intestinal blockages. Candles and Jack-o’-lanterns within a pet’s range are also a fire hazard. Make sure lighted candles are out of “tail range”. A swiping dog tail could easily knock a candle over. A cat sashaying by a lighted candle might get its tail burnt. Also, keep any decorations with electrical cords safely protected from curious pets.

#3- Pet costumes: Don’t leave your pet unsupervised while dressed up. Some pets, if left alone in costume, may chew it up and ingest it. This could also cause an intestinal obstruction if more than small shreds of material are consumed. Another hazard in pet costumes is tight elastics. These can get lost in the pet’s hair, potentially causing swelling and pain in the area of the elastic and sometimes can become imbedded in the pet’s skin if not removed in time. Another potential danger with pet costumes is that if the pet happens to become frightened and run away, they can become entangled on trees, fences, etc. If your pet normally is not used to being in costume, is usually nervous around crowds and is not exactly a social butterfly, resist the urge to dress them up.

 #4- Chocolate: With chocolate bars and other chocolate-based treats in abundance, it’s easy to forget that Chocolate is toxic to pets. It contains a compound called theobromine.  Granted, a 50 pound dog would have to eat about 50 ounces of milk chocolate (but only 5 ounces of baking chocolate) for a toxic dose, but much smaller amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures and death. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian. Other candies, such as lollipops and those with plastic components, pose a danger if ingested. In addition to chocolate, there are other trick-or-treat goodies that include nuts, raisins, chewing gum, mints, and anything containing xylitol, a commonly used artificial sweetener. Xylitol, often found in baked goods and candies, has been associated with liver failure and death in dogs. Lollipop sticks and plastic parts can also cause intestinal obstruction and potentially rupture the intestines, which is a life-threatening emergency. If you keep a ‘goodies basket’ by the front door for trick-or-treaters, make sure your pet doesn’t run off with any ‘samples’ for itself.

We hope you have a fun and safe Halloween this year. Trick-or-treat!

Recently this article ran in Discovery News. I think it is very applicable to our area and this time of year.

Pets During Hurricanes: What To Do
By Jennifer Viegas Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:39 PM ET

THE GIST

* Many evacuating owners leave their pets behind with food, thinking they’ll be ok.
* Experts who have been in the rescue trenches say pets should always be taken with their owners to shelters or other boarding.

Animal experts who have been in the rescue trenches during prior hurricanes urge pet owners to follow a number of guidelines, especially now that Hurricane Irene is moving into populated areas of the U.S. East Coast.

The statistics in the wake of hurricanes like Irene are startling. Evacuations from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 left some 1,000 deserted pets to be euthanized for lack of space to care for them. In 1999, more than 3 million pets and farm animals died as a result of Hurricane Floyd.

“It’s essential that you heed local warnings and evacuate if necessary,” Sara Varsa, director of operations for the Humane Society of the United State’s Rescue and Response Team, told Discovery News. “If a situation is not safe for you, then it is not safe for your pets.”

In 2000, the HSUS and FEMA signed a partnership agreement to encourage and assist people who want to safeguard their pets during a natural disaster. Since that time, it’s become easier to find a shelter that will accept pets. But many still don’t, so Varsa cautions that you must also consider boarding facilities, hotels that take in pets, homes of friends and relatives in safe areas, and other options.

If you can take your pet to a shelter, Varsa said, you should have a carrier or cage as well as a “to go bag to grab” containing an identification collar and rabies tag, detailed identification on all belongings, a leash (or harness for a cat), an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and newspapers or trash bags for clean-up.

If you are not forced to evacuate, but are still in the path of the hurricane, she said, “Hurricanes cause pressure changes that pets may detect. Cats and dogs may become disoriented and will likely be scared of any loud storm noises.”

It’s essential, she said, that cats be kept in a comfortable room with the “to go” bag and carrier nearby, while dogs “not be off leash at any time” during the storm.

Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian and co-president of the San Francisco SPCA, ran an emergency shelter in Hattiesburg, Miss., during Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath. At least 1500 cats and dogs were under her care at the shelter. Many arrived after “rescue runs,” when volunteers and staff would hunt for abandoned or otherwise remaining pets in storm areas.

Scarlett said that when a cat or dog comes into a shelter, “We take pictures, wash the animal, decontaminate it, and then house it and wait for the owners to show up.”

Identification can be a huge challenge, even if an owner goes to the right shelter to later reclaim a pet.

“We often have to take the photos at night, when the lighting is bad and the pets are scared and may not even resemble their usual selves,” Scarlett said. “It’s a real mess. Had owners microchipped their pets, they would’ve prevented so many problems and likely have been reunited with their dog or cat. Remember that collars can easily come off.”

She urged owners to not leave pets alone at home during storms, even if ample water and food are provided.

“It is always better to take your pets with you,” she said, adding that rescue workers are often later faced with animals suffering from starvation, dogs and cats that have been hit by cars after bolting, or pets that otherwise have been hurt or became ill.

Scarlett”s experience has also taught her a tip not usually seen on most disaster preparedness materials: Add a can of tuna fish, or other food for both humans and pets, to your “to go” bag.

She explained, “Tuna provides protein for dogs and cats, and you can eat it too.”

This weekend August 27th & 28th at the Miami Beach Convention Center- Animalia Pet Expo!
Cost: Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $6 for children between 6-14, children under 6 has free entry.
Benefiting: The Humane Society of Greater Miami & Adopt-A-Pet

‘Unleash Your Love For Pets at Animalia’ It’s a two-day fun indoor public event benefiting the Humane Society of Greater Miami, Adopt-A-Pet. The event has been created for “pets & people of South Florida” and will feature over 100 booths, educational and interactive seminars, demonstrations, pet talent contests, a pet couture fashion event, pet art, giveaways, adopt-a-pet, advocacy groups, vaccines & vets, hobbyist, kennels & clubs, ID & location systems, publications, food & natural products, apparel & accessories, health products & services, pet-rescue, silent auctions, agility areas, and much more. For more information, please call 305-673-7311

Hope to see you there!

Although we are approaching the end of summer, it sure feels like we’re just beginning! We urge everyone to keep in mind that next time you leave for work, go shopping or spend a day in the beach – make sure your pets stay in a cool, shaded, well ventilated area with plenty of fresh water.

These simple preventative measures will keep your pets safe and keep your money in your pocket by avoiding an urgent trip to the animal emergency clinic.

In the last couple of months, we have seen an increase in cases of pets that have suffered the most common heat related problem, heat stroke. Heat stroke, also known as heat stress or hyperpyrexia is a real emergency for pets.  Since dogs don’t sweat like we do, they are unable to dissipate the excess heat and heat stroke may quickly set in.  Some particular short faced breeds such as Pugs or Bulldogs are at higher risk. Even on moderately warm days, an excited dog might show a body temperature increase of 2-5 degrees Fahrenheit. On a 70 degree day for example, temperatures inside a car can soar to over 150 degrees in less than one hour! In addition, every year thousands of pets succumb to heat stroke because they are left inside cars while owners ran “just a few” errands.

Never, never leave your pet inside your vehicle regardless of the reason.

It is possible however to enjoy the summer with your pets and family by simply taking a few precautions.

1. Always be aware of the weather forecast. Knowing the high temperature can help guide your plans for the day.

2. Don’t leave your pet unattended outside or plan heavy exercise on hot, humid days. If your pet is left outdoors, he or she must have access to adequate shade and plenty of fresh water.

3. If you enjoy walking your dog (or cat), opt for the early morning hours or late everning. The cement can be scolding hor and burn their paws. Avoid shaving your dogs coat as it could expose a lightly pigmented dog to potential sunburn. Consult with the Veterinarian for the best grooming options for your pet.

4. When it comes time to run errands, leave your pet at home. Remember, even a few minutes in a hot car is enough to increase your pet’s body temperature dramatically.

If you happen to find your pet disoriented, panting excessively or collapsed in the yard, move him immediately to a cooler environment. Use cool wet towels over his back, armpits and groin to help bring his temperature down. Fans are also helpful and DO NOT USE ICE!

Then, get him to the Veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic so that they can assess his status and begin life saving treatments. 

If you are planning to take your pets to any outdoor celebrations or cook-outs, check the forecast, find out first if pets are welcome or if fireworks are planned. It might be easier to simply leave the dogs at home rather than risk a run-away or injury.

We hope this information is helpful in keeping your pets safe from the heat this summer. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your pets. We’re always here to help!

Our next dental topic is gingival hyperplasia. Gingival hyperplasia is when the gingival next to the teeth overgrows with no other pathology. While small amounts of hyperplasia is acceptable it can interfere with the ability to bite and chew normally or provide a space for bacteria to colonize. Our example today is “Turbo”, a six-year-old boxer. Boxers and other related breeds are more prone to developing gingival hyperplasia.

Turbo- before left canine

Turbo- after left canine