Hot Paws – Hot Paws Pet Resort

World Rabies Day – Rabies Alert

Hot Paws — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 11:00:26 +0000

World Rabies Day

Hi, I’m Dr. Holly Pollack your local veterinarian at Amelia Island Animal Hospital and together with your help we can eradicate Rabies!

Let’s End Rabies Together is the mantra of the World Rabies Day and is celebrated September 28 every year. Having World Rabies Day helps us be more aware of the risk factors and preventative measures needed to eradicate the disease globally!

In Florida, there are a number of common animals you may not have known carry rabies:

raccoons
bats
unvaccinated cats
foxes

Other mammals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs. These animals may show up in your backyard or on paths while walking your pet. It is very important to avoid wild animals, pay attention to unusual acting animals, and vaccinate your own pets!

Rabies is not just a health risk for your pets. Did you know that rabies is contagious to humans and can be fatal? Don’t let children play around wild animals like the ones mentioned above as they can be cute and deadly.

Rabies is predominately spread by bite wounds. The contaminated saliva from a rabid animal contacts tissues of a healthy mammal.

5 Steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:

Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
Supervise your pets to avoid contact with wild animals.
Remove and reduce any stray animals from your neighborhood by calling animal control and spaying and neutering.
Do not attract wild animals with open garbage cans or food.
Never handle or adopt wild animals.

As most of you may be aware, there was a positive rabies case on Amelia Island as recent as June 2015: http://fernandinaobserver.com/2015/06/04/rabies-alert-issued-for-nassau-county.

We can End Rabies Together. Join the movement – call Amelia Island Animal Hospital at 904-261-7153 and ask to schedule your rabies vaccine with Dr Holly Pollack during the week of September 28 and mention the Hot Paws Rabies blog to receive $10.00 off your exam. Tell your friends and neighbors! Let’s make Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach/Nassau County rabies free!!

Chocolate Toxicity and Your Pet

Hot Paws — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:45:48 +0000

Chocolate Toxicity

Hi I’m Dr. Holly Pollack and as your local veterinarian I am happy to answer any of your questions! One of the most common questions around fall is related to chocolate at Halloween! We generally do experience more chocolate toxicity at Halloween and Easter then other times of the year.

Why is something so tasty so bad for my pet? Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant found naturally in cocoa beans and it is poisonous to dogs. Theobromine affects the central nervous system in multiple ways including over stimulating muscles.

What are the signs of chocolate toxicity? Side effects include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hyper-excitability, hyperactivity, increased response to stimuli.
Increased heart rate which will cause panting, restlessness, muscle twitching, excessive thrust and urination.

The higher the concentration of theobromine the greater the side effects. In severe cases, the core body temperature will raise causing hyperthermia from muscle tremors and seizures. If left unaddressed theobromine may result in coma and even death.

Here is a quick list of types of chocolate and their level of danger from least to most due to the quantity of theobromine they contain.

White Chocolate: Least dangerous to pets
Hot Chocolate: Limited to moderate risk
Milk Chocolate: Moderate risk to pets – call your vet to discuss your options.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: moderate to high risk, call your vet without delay.
Baking Chocolate: Do not hesitate….go to the vet.

Milk Chocolate example:
A 20 pound dog must eat roughly 1 pound of milk chocolate or 5 full size candy bars to get fatal toxicity.

Baker’s Chocolate example:
5 ounces of powder is toxic for a 50-pound dog. Dark chocolate cake recipes call for 6 to 8 ounces of unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate) Baker’s Chocolate has the highest amounts of theobromine so be careful during baking season.

It is more difficult for large dogs to have serious side effects verses small dogs because the quantity has a relationship with the weight of the dog.

If you ever have a concern or want to discuss a situation where your pet got into chocolate, please call Dr. Holly Pollack at Amelia Island Animal Hospital @ 904-261-7153

Vaccinations and Your Pet

Hot Paws — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:18:26 +0000

Parents want their kids to be healthy and protected from illness—and pet parents no exception. Vaccinations are important for protecting your loved ones from health threats, but understanding what’s involved (and required) can be challenging.

Regulations regarding pet vaccinations vary by municipality (see Nassau County’s requirements), but you can generally assume that a rabies vaccine will be required for dogs, cats, and some other pets (like ferrets). A license may also be required, and you should provide documentation of both to your groomer/boarder to ensure that all pets are protected, and no one’s pet will be exposed to another animal that may have been exposed.

But rabies is not the only ailment pets can be vaccinated against, nor is it the only one recommended by professionals.

Dog Vaccinations

Essential vaccines

Distemper
Hepatitis
Parvovirus
Rabies

Recommended (depending on dog’s exposure)

Leptospirosis
Bordetella (often called “kennel cough”)
Lyme Disease
Canine Influenza
Corona Virus

Many of these are particularly important if your dog spends time at dog parks, in the woods, and/or at a kennel.

Cat Vaccinations

Essential vaccines

Panleukopenia (feline distemper)
Calicivirus
Herpes type I (rhinotracheitis)
Rabies

Recommended (depending on cat’s exposure)

Chlamydia
Feline Leukemia (Felv)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Bordetella

Many of the recommended vaccines are particularly important if your cat spends any time outdoors.

Other Pets

Inquire with your vet regarding vaccinating other pets, including exotics like ferrets, rabbits, small mammals, and even livestock. Also check with your municipality regarding what is required by law.

How Often Should I Vaccinate?

Many vaccines are administered annually or every three years. For multiyear vaccines, your vet may recommend a schedule where your pet receives a booster annually, but not all medications at once, to reduce reactions or side-effects. Consult your trusted vet for the right plan for your dog, cat, or other pet.

Are vaccines safe?

The risk associated with vaccinations has been widely discussed both in humans and in pets. Veterinary professionals widely support pet vaccinations for the safety of the pet population and (in cases where disease can cross the species barrier) their guardians. To prevent problems, vaccinating early and then less often with age is recommended. And pet parents can look for these signs of a reaction and alert your vet:

Fever
Crankiness, expressed as biting or growling
Loss of appetite
Sluggishness
Redness or swelling around the injection site
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Vaccinations help reduce both the risk of disease for your pet, but also the spread of these diseases throughout pet populations. With a safe administration plan from your trusted vet, you can keep your beloved dog or cat healthy and thriving, and reduce worry of socializing your pet with others.

How Often Should My Pet Be Groomed?

Hot Paws — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 01:32:35 +0000

Can you imagine if our pets had the same bathing routines that we do? Having to wait in line for the shower behind additional furry family members? Stocking enough shampoo and shower gel, and having enough hot water for all?

Thankfully, our pets bathe themselves pretty regularly, and we only have to give them a hand every so often. How much assistance they need, both with keeping clean and maintaining a healthy and trimmed coat, depends a lot on the breed, size, and length and type of fur.

Home Grooming

Hair Care

The length of your pet’s fur determines how often to brush. A short-haired dog or cat might need only a weekly brushing. Longer fur should be brushed several times a week or even daily—and this is good not only for the condition of the coat but also reduces the amount of shed fur you’ll find around your home and the risk of hairballs in cats, since less fur will be ingested during self-grooming.

The ASPCA recommends bathing dogs at least every three months, and cats if particularly dirty. This also varies by breed and fur type, but unlike brushing is not always directly related to the length of the coat. For example, the essentially hairless Sphynx cat needs to be bathed more frequently than most other cats because of the oils in their skin.

Do you really need special shampoo for your pet? Human shampoos aren’t necessarily harmful, but fragrances and other additives can be harsh or irritating to pet skin, so just as you choose (for yourself) what works best for you, choose a pet shampoo for your beloved dog or cat. You can even find varieties that are formulated for your pet’s breed (and species), which is important as the needs can definitely be different.

Nail Care

Trimming your pet’s nails can be a challenge—from simple wiggling to a dreaded swipe or bite from a stressed pet. These 3 steps can help you make home nail care successful, even if it takes some time to achieve:

Acclimate: If you haven’t raised your pet from a puppy or kitten, you may find that any attempt to touch his or her feet is unwelcome. Get your pet comfortable with foot touching by cautiously integrating it into grooming, petting, and play. When you start trimming nails, only trim one or two at a time until it is a comfortable experience for your pet.
Trim safely: Use the right tools (a properly sharpened guillotine cutter), a quick and smooth action to prevent tearing, and always stop short of the quick, a blood vessel that runs down the center of the nail. If you cut the quick, it can be painful for your pet. If you should cut it by accident, be prepared to stop the bleeding with styptic (powder or stick).
Reward: Make sure that your pet finds nail care (or at least its end) a pleasant experience by rewarding with a treat. After all, it can be stressful, so a treat is both deserved and a promise that next time will be followed by a treat too.

Professional Grooming

Your professional groomer can make all of your home care tasks much easier. Plus, the groomer can do what may be difficult (or ill-advised) for you to do: trim or shave your pet’s fur. With the right tools, extensive experience with all types of pets and their fur, and the know-how to make your furry baby look and smell his or her best, it makes sense to depend on them for regular care of your pet. Most groomers recommend a visit every 6-8 weeks (again, depending on your pet’s fur type), so it’s a great time for a bath, haircut, and nail trim.

If the groomer can take care of all your pet’s grooming needs, why would you do home care? There are actually many important reasons for you to partner with your groomer (and your pet) and perform many of the above pet care activities:

Dirt Happens. How often do you come home from the groomer only to have to walk your dog in the rain the next day? Or even if your next grooming appointment is coming up next week, a very dirty pet shouldn’t be left that way for the groomer, as that dirt can be very unhealthy for your pet’s skin and fur, let alone what is ingested as the pet self-bathes.
A Brushed Coat Is a Healthy Coat. Just as brushing is good for your hair and scalp, the same is true for pets. And it’s critical if your pet has long fur and prone to mats and clumps. The mats and clumps can cause irritation to your pet’s skin, and are very time consuming to remove if left unaddressed, which can cause your grooming bill to grow significantly. Plus, that matted coat may result in a much more severe haircut than you planned.
Home Grooming Makes Professional Grooming Less Stressful. If you regularly handle, groom, and pet your dog or cat, he or she will be more socialized and more likely to have a successful outcome at the groomer. The sounds, activity, and unfamiliar surroundings at the groomer can be stressful to animals, but if they’ve experienced some of the sensations of grooming at home, then familiarity will help calm the situation.

Have questions about professional grooming? We’d love to help answer them, and hope to see your pet soon!

Westminster Kennel Club… a little history.

Hot Paws — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:59:13 +0000

The late 1870’s a group of affluent and sporting gentlemen meet regularly at the bar in a NYC Hotel to trade stories about their shooting accomplishments and the talents of their dogs. Eventually they decided to form a club and name it after their meeting place-The Westminster Hotel. Early on the club-officially named the Westminster Breeding Association- owned a kennel and raised Pointers for hunting and field trials…. this was the birth of the Westminster Dog Show! In 1876 this club holds a dog show in Philadelphia to help celebrate America’s Centennial. The show is a tremendous hit and the members decide to hold their own show to allow them to showcase their dogs in a semi-formal setting away from the fields. The members change the name of the club to the Westminster Kennel Club and incorporate in 1877 and in that year the first annual New York Bench Show of Dogs is held in the now Madison Square Garden with over 1000 dogs. Bench referring to sitting on a bench and mingling with other dogs and owners. This is a huge hit and extends to four days to accommodate public interest. Thru time and meetings with Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the St. Louis

Kennel Clubs, a code of rules was set forth and followed. This manifested itself as a national governing body for dog registrations and dog shows- The American Kennel Club. Their annual dog show is the second longest running sporting event in this country and second only to the Kentucky Derby. Westminster has become the symbol of the purebred dog: the elegance, beauty and grace of these canine athletes combine with the excitement of the competition and in the canine world, the dog show’s version of the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl.

The point of show dogs is to bring them together to compete with each other to find the dogs with the most perfect characteristics of the breed they represent. The American Kennel Club has developed a breed standard for each breed and only non-sterilized animals can compete as they must be able to mate with other winners and create a perfect specimen of their specific breed. Shows are held all over the US to determine which dogs will win and move one step closer to the championship. Dogs first compete with members of their own breed and those winners then move on to compete in their respective AKC groups. The dogs are not competing against each other, but, rather against the standard-along the way-points are accumulated. Once the best of each group is selected, they are brought to the next level ‘Best in Show’ status leads to an invitation guaranteeing a spot in the Westminster Dog Show where competition is sharp.

Dogs are judged against their documented breed standards. Standards may include references relating form to function in the performance the dog was bred for and may include some arbitrary items such as eye color, eye shape, tail carriage and more. Judges also look for how the dog walks, the stance and the personality which reflects the breeds’ standards. While many breeds no longer need to perform their original jobs, they should still have the innate ability and physical make up to perform those jobs and that is what he judge looks for. Because of the show’s popularity and prestige, the AKC require that dogs must have already earned their breeds’ Championship before appearing at Westminster…bringing along with them a years of training, shows, costs and points.

A great show dog is either made or lost as a puppy and that depends on her socialization. A shy puppy will never perform well enough to win in the ring. Confidence and training in all arenas leads to a winning dog. Training takes in years of learning for master and dog, classes in walking, walking in certain show patterns, and training as a puppy and into adulthood for the individual dog and the companion dog, obedience trials for all-breeds as well as specialty trials. The importance of excellent grooming and cleanliness for the dog via the master cannot be stated strong enough. Multiple wins in competitions along the way and registration with the American Kennel Club (AKC), this and more, leads to the Westminster Show in NYC.

Rich in history with old world money, rich in tradition, the Westminster Kennel Club’s famous annual dog show is unique, prestigious and elegant for all involved, there are hundreds of dogs and owners- however-there is only one NYC/Westminster Show and only so many First Prize Westminster Ribbons for that outstanding canine/owner!

Grooming Double Coated Dogs

Hot Paws — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:40:49 +0000

Mom and I are sitting on the sofa relaxing and she says to me, ‘Fluffy, Summer is right around the corner and it’s almost time for my summer–do! ‘ Short hair, easy and breezy care for the hot weather here. What about you Fluff…how ‘bout a stylish shave and style???? Get that double coat off and let your skin breathe!

Hot Paws, a positive and experienced pet salon, says—NO!

If you are the proud owner and loved by a double coat dog, you may be thinking and are bewildered by the ‘NO’ and asking-why not!

Dogs with a double coat really have two coats- a top and tougher coat-the guard coat- and then a soft and downy undercoat. This undercoat acts as an insulation for your dog and toughens up in the winter and sheds in the summer. The guard hairs act as a shield from the sun and other environmental elements and typically do not shed. They do, however, release under the coat around the summer and the dog will ‘blow’ their coats and this can become a hairy mess. Good brushing and brushing against the grain can help with these breeds until you can get them to “Hot Paws” for a major and skilled grooming session! If anyone in your house suffers from allergies-the time brushing and cleaning the hair balls will be an advantage to both the pet and the allergic family member!

Dogs do not have the extensive sweat gland system that humans possess , they do have glands in their paws, but, it is panting that dissipates the body temp. If the dog spends time outside, be aware that without their coats, they are open to sunburn, insect bites and abrasions…and most importantly…temperature elevation and the possibility of heat stroke.

The dog’s coats act as an insulator from the cold and from the heat. Keeping the coats well-brushed and professionally groomed at ‘Hot Paws’ will keep our pets free from mats , this allows for good air circulation and can have cooling effects for our loved ones. They cannot turn up the a/c, get a glass of a cool beverage or open the outside umbrella to sit under. We have to anticipate their needs and act in a positive way for our pets. ‘Hot Paws’ is there for the both of you to help keep Fluffy comfy and physically safe! You can now book on-line for grooming needs and guidance for these double-coated breeds…Siberian Huskies, ChowChows, Sheepdogs, German Shepherds and the beloved Lab- just to name a few!

Remain calm, consistent and cool—all with the help of “Hot Paws’!

Importance of Grooming Your Dog

Hot Paws — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 03:55:43 +0000

The Importance of Grooming Your Dog

I can’t do a thing with my hair—playing outside, being in the house, I’m itchy and it’s hot and ocean was fun-but… I need to get to the salon and get there fast… Where is the number for Hot Paws… here it is 904-277-3075.

Regular grooming is so very important for your best buddy-be they a small and fluffy dog or a strong and large dog… all dogs need to be groomed and taken care of in this area of caring and loving.

Brushing promotes good hair condition and growth as well as getting the blood circulating. Indoor dog’s fur can become matted and form into wads of knotted hair which are annoying and can be itchy. Notice when your dog seems to be biting or scratching the same area over and over-could be a wad there. Spending some quality time brushing your dog allows you to do a quick assessment of skin and fur and don’t forget his/her paws-can become uncomfortable with built up dirt and grease. This can be an awkward task for you and your pet and this points you into the direction of a professional groomer.

There are many benefits to visiting a good groomer at Hot Paws. Experience, high level tools and equipment, the best dog shampoos and the eye to see something that mom or dad did not see or even realize this could be important. Going out to a professional groomer also provides an opportunity for socialization with other dogs and people. Grooming requires time, effort, knowledge and the best setting and supplies available. You can find all of this and more-love and affection-at Hot Paws!

HOT PAWS MOURNS ‘BOOGIE’ THE DEATH OF OUR FRIEND

Hot Paws — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:29:23 +0000

Today, January 15, 2015 Hot Paws unites with Boogies’ family in Mourning his passing from this side of the rainbow to the other side. Let us all take solace in realizing Boogie will be restored to health and happiness. He will be content, playful, making new friends, but, they all have something in common:.. each one misses the special humans who had to be left behind….this is temporary and one day you will be together again and most importantly-never to be parted again.

A noun-euthanasia-easy to say and easy to read the definition: It is to humanely end a life filled with suffering and pain. Hot Paws and the staff know the definition all too well and know the ramifications of making the humane choice to put the pet to sleep.

Yes, the black and white scenario is clear and obvious: your vet works with you, explains the procedure to you and assures you it is painless…this writer can assure you it was a serene procedure for the pets. It is then the ‘gray’ area that takes over with its profound sadness, it’s questioning of the choice made and the pain in your heart.

Hot Paws wants you to realize they are there for you and understand the stages of grief that must now be experienced…The anger-why Boogie-he was wonderful, I can’t believe he’s gone—he’ll be there when I get home and it’s all a bad dream. I’m numb- I cannot deal with this.. I don’t understand why this happened-I would have given up anything to have Boogie here and I tried to bargain that every night on my knees. We are all sad– Boogie’s family and Hot Paws and we are all depressed with the loss. Don’t and can’t talk about it now-going home… hate it and it hurts to not have Boogie there. We will always have this hole in our hearts for Boogie and his specialness-it will be accepted when we think about the illness and the what a good parent we really were to end the pain and send him to a happy place- sent him to angel school for furry friends!

Hot Paws will also feel the loss on the days when Boogie came to play and for a while-keep looking out into the play yard and then the acceptance will come. It was the best thing to do and the pain is gone and we will always have a special memory of Boogie and his family.

Hot Paws recommends doing something special to preserve the memory of Boogie—a collage, a poem written from your heart, save a special toy, if choosing to cremate-a place of honor for the receptacle, talking about the fun days and knowing the door is always open for you at Hot Paws to be nourished with love and respect: most importantly-providing a place to talk, cry and to heal.

No Chocolate For Dogs!

Hot Paws — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:28:55 +0000

Love is in the air and chocolate is everywhere!

It’s out there–from your local pharmacy to department stores, at the grocery store and at the convenience store and one package is dressed prettier than the next for this day of love-called Valentine’s Day. Sweets for my sweetheart from Victorian Days to the present. Sweets for myself and those I love!!! It’s almost a legal chocolate holiday.

However-for the one we may love the very most, the one with four legs and a tail that has been with us thru thick and thin…..Danger is dressed in pink and red and looking so yummy and calming and mouth-watering and isn’t it said that some chocolate is good for you????

NOT for your dog and remember that dogs have incredible sniffing skills to find the chocolate hiding spot!

Chocolate is derived from roasted seeds of-Theobroma Cacao which contains certain properties that can be toxic to animals. If ingested can lead to severe medical complications.

Symptoms range from vomiting, diarrhea, elevated temp., increased reflexes with muscle rigidity, rapid breathing with increased heart rate, low blood pressure, seizures and cardiac failure. This is a range of the symptoms from a one to a ten pending the size of the dog and the amount eaten. Milk chocolate-mild toxicity when 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. Dark and Semi-sweet-mild signs of toxicity when 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight is eaten. Baking Chocolate-this type of chocolate has the highest concentration of being potentially toxic …..As little as two ounces of chocolate or 0.1 ounce per 20 lb dog. You may see animal treats out there made with carob-a chocolate like substance and edible for dogs.

So, fellow pet lovers, enjoy your chocolate during this chocolate season… but remember, NO CHOCOLATE FOR DOGS! Think milk bones and other safe dog treats for your ‘best’ furry friend and happily sing: I love you-you love me-we are a happy family, especially at Hot Paws Pet Resort!

The Importance of Doggie Day Care

Hot Paws — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:14:08 +0000

‘All alone am I, since you said goodbye’…that’s my song-day after day. I look out the window and listen for the car and hours go by. Then I try to be a good boy/girl and play with my stuff, but, the laundry basket is fun and the couch is a challenge to chew and fun too !!! Finally, I hear your car and my tail is wagging so fast I think it’s going to fall off and I am there, at the door and so happy you ‘re home! I don’t think you’re happy to see me, the couch…the laundry…today I am a bad boy/girl and my tail is not wagging any more. I hear you talking on the phone and my name keeps getting mentioned and I wonder why-what’s going on????

The next morning, I get ready for another long day and then you tell me to get my leash as I am going for a ride. I think I’m excited…

We drive a bit and mommy keeps telling me I am going to love today and if I am good, I can go back in a few days…good?? Where am I going????

Here we are ! mom says, let’s go inside and she is all happy and perky!

She says we are at Hot Paws-a wonderful place to play and meet friends! Really…..I walk in slowly and smell all kinds of dogs and people are there smiling and know my name-wow-and they walk me into another area and mom is blowing me kisses and smiling!

I look around and some other dogs come over and say ‘hi ‘and are happy and look like their having fun! Before I know it, I am playing and running and catching toys!!! Me and the gang are never alone! The sun is shining and so am I!

My new song-Happy days are here again!!!

On a serious note, the importance of dog day care cannot be praised enough for value to your pet and for you.

Dogs have been traditionally bred to do a job-guard, hunt, protect and more. Today’s dog is an unemployed dog and more of a couch potato! This new ‘career’ leads to boredom and to negatively placed energy=naughtiness at times.

The values of doggie day care are numerous: relief from boredom, relief from loneliness and anxiety, socialization with other humans, learning to play with others and learning to take gentle discipline from other humans for the best experience they can have.

Pets using their energy in a positive way and relieving guilt that owners can have when they leave their best friend for 8-10 hours….it’s a win-win situation:.. play, snacks, water and rest time!

I f your pet is a good candidate for doggie day care-medically and socially, then give one of the best dog spas a call for an interview and tour!

Hot Paws Pet Resort @ 904 277-3075!

Book online at http://hotpawspetresort.com/hotpaws-reservations/reservations/