Ticks!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Ticks are gross!

  Not only that, but ticks are VERY dangerous! And they're everywhere! Here at The Hospital, we're seeing more ticks this year than ever before. 

  Most ticks have a two year life cycle. And they are very active from March to November.

  Ticks can be brought into your yard by many common carriers, like feral cats, coyotes and untreated pets in your neighborhood.

  To feed, a tick will hang out in tall grasses or on low branches or shrubs. Then when we walk by, it gets on us! Then it will crawl around until it finds the place on our body it wants to bite!

  The worst part is that ticks can spread serious diseases like Lyme disease!

There's great news however: Frontline Plus!

  Frontline Plus is the topical flea and tick control that is applied once a month, to keep you parasite free!

  The best part is that our Hospital is offering a special for our clients on Frontline Plus until November 30th of this year.

  When your family buys 6 doses of Frontline Plus, they'll receive $15.00 off of your service for that day!  And that's in addition to our "Buy Three Doses of Frontline Plus Get One Free" offer!

  So stop in or call us today and we'll get you set up with Frontilne, help you stay healthy and happy and tick free!

Speck 

  Speck's Blog copyright Chrissie Ratliff 2013-2017 all rights reserved

Complimentary ID Tags!

Hi, everyone!

  I've got something really exciting to tell you about this week!

  Here at the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital we offer all of our Patients a complimentary Identification Tag!

  We actually have an awesome machine that makes them while you wait!

 

  We've talked before about how important it is to stay safe and an ID Tag for your collar or harness is a really great idea!  

  If you ever do get lost, the first thing someone will see is a tag with your information. This will really help to get you back home!

  It's also super important to keep your collar and tag on. 

  Sometimes people who have indoor kitties don't feel the need for a collar or tag. Unfortunately, that's not always true.  Sometimes pets get out unexpectedly. That's when a collar and tag is your ticket home!

  Dogs can get out unexpectedly too. Sometimes doors or gates get left open and out you go! I'm just a little guy and I've even tried to sneak out!  Big or small, everyone needs to be safe!

  So come on in to the Hospital and we'll be happy to make you a Tag while you wait. We even have cool styles to choose from!

Keeping you safe is very important to us,

Speck

   Speck's Blog copyright Chrissie Ratliff 2013-2017 all rights reserved

Traveling Safely!

Hi Again,

  This week I thought I might talk about something really important. Traveling Safely!

  Everyone should be safe and secure during a trip especially pets!

Mia is ready to travel safely, with a harness!

Here's a few things to think about before you and your pet begin a journey:

  If your pet has never traveled in a car, take them on a short trip to help them get used to the motion and noise.  

  I have a car seat and harness, but a  crate or carrier are  safe ways to transport your pet too. Please be sure that when using a carrier, that your pet can stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

Sylvester is comfortable and safe in his carrier.

  Exercise and water should be offered during long trips. And always keep your dog on a leash during rest stops. A collar and tag with your information should always be on your pet. Especially during travel!

  The most important thing is never leave your pet in a car unattended!  It's just too hot in there for us!

  We love to go on rides with you, but waiting in a hot car can be really dangerous. The temperature can rise significantly, even in cool weather.

Thanks for helping us stay safe and have a great trip!

Speck

Traveling with a friend is a great idea. As long as you both buckle up!


  Speck's Blog copyright Chrissie Ratliff 2013-2017 all rights reserved

A Very Lucky Kitten!

I made a new friend today!

Her name is Violet. And she's a Kitten!

  She's super cute and fluffy and she's also really, really lucky! Dr. Sullos just rescued her!

  Violet had been left on the doorstep of a Veterinary Hospital where Dr. Sullos has worked before. And believe it or not, she was found with her mother and two other kittens! 

  Violet's Mom and sisters quickly found homes and when
Dr. Sullos found out Violet needed a home, she immediately adopted her!

  

  I met Violet today when Dr. Sullos brought her in for her first check up. We hit it off right away and I even stayed with her while she had her exam.

I knew she'd be scared, but I explained that a physical exam, vaccines and tests are really important! And they were something every kitten needs to stay healthy and happy.

  She's really tiny and for once in my life, I'm actually bigger than one of my friends! Violet's new Mom, Dr. Sullos, was close by, so that made her feel much better too. 

It was the best day, ever!

 An abandoned kitten found a wonderful home, our Hospital made sure she's feeling great and I made an awesome new friend!


Speck

  Speck's Blog copyright Chrissie Ratliff 2013-2017 all rights reserved

Springtime Saftey Tips!

 

Spring is in the air!

And so are some pretty dangerous things too!

   So here are some tips for your family, so they can keep you safe and comfortable this Spring:

• Check before planting: As pretty and fragrant as they are, many flowers and plants can be poisonous. Lilies, Daffodils and Hyacinths are just a few.

• Be mindful of mulch: Commercial mulch sometimes contains cocoa been shells, which some dogs just can't resist! The chemicals and caffeine that are in cocoa can be very dangerous if eaten.

 

• Read Labels: Fertilizers and pesticides may help flowers  bloom, but they can be deadly to pets!  Always check the packing labels to be sure that anything you apply to your plants, is safe for your pets. Digging or rolling in freshly treated areas can be dangerous too.

 

• It's Allergy Season!: Your sinuses may tell you when Spring has arrived, but dogs and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies too! Itchy and red skin, ear infections, hair loss, excessive sneezing and even a runny nose are signs your pet may be allergic.

  Springtime is a great time of the year to spend some extra time outside, but being extra careful is really important too.

Please see the link below for a list of poisonous plants:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants

Have fun and be safe,
Speck

Rattlesnake Vaccine

 

Eeeek! Snakes are super scary!

  That's only a fake one in the picture, but snakes really freak me out.

Especially Rattlesnakes!

  They're very dangerous and one bite can really hurt you and can even cause death!

  Now that Spring is here and it's getting warmer,  Rattlesnakes can show up everywhere. At the dog park, taking a walk or even in your own back yard!

  But here at The Hospital, we've got something to protect you. The Rattlesnake Vaccine!

  The Vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself. The Vaccine works by creating an immunity that works right away to help neutralize the Rattlesnake's venom.

  Treatment of a Rattlesnake bite can be very expensive! You'll need to stay in the Hospital, and you would need to get anti venom injections.

  The Rattlesnake Vaccine can also reduce the effects of snakebites. And reduce or eliminate the need for anti venom treatment and lower the costs of treatment too.

  So tell your Mom or Dad today to make an appointment for you to come in and receive the vaccine. 

  So please stay safe! It's going to be a long, hot summer. And there's a lot of snakes out there...


Speck

Yuck! I really don't like snakes!

Frontline!

Fleas are gross! And so are ticks for that matter.

  That's why I'm really happy to tell you about a product we have here at The Hospital: Frontline!

  Frontline Plus is a topical flea and tick control that kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks.  It's also a fast-acting, long lasting, waterproof preventitive treatment.

  That's really good news for dogs that like to play in water or take a splash in the pool!

  Frontine is also great for cats! Especially if your cat goes outside. It doesn't smell all yucky, so kitties like it too.

  You may think that because you don't go to the dog park or go on long walks, that fleas and ticks can't get you. But they totally can!

  Fleas are everywhere! They can even come in through a screen door or window or jump on someone and be carried into your house. Then you have a really big problem!

  But when Frontline Plus is applied every month, you don't have to worry. You're protected! And it's super easy!

  Each "dose" comes in a small vial and is applied to the back of your neck. It doesn't hurt, and it doesn't feel "funny". It's just there to protect you, all month long.

  We can even put Frontline on for you, if you come in for a bath!

  The best part, is that our Hospital has the best price on Frontline! You even get a free dose when you buy a three month supply or you can get individual doses too!

  So tell your Mom or Dad to hurry in and pick some up, so you'll be flea and tick free!

Speck