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Puppy Training
Have a new puppy in the house? Let us help you with training! We will be starting a new puppy training course beginning Wednesday, January 4th. Please call the front desk for additional information.
512-864-9668 |
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Meet Suzanne Buckley
Suzanne started at Zoot Pets as a Client Services Representative in February 2011. She thoroughly enjoys meeting the clients and their beloved pets. She grew up in Wisconsin. Happy to get away from the cold and snow, Suzanne settled in Texas in 2007 after living in several other states. She attended the University of Minnesota where she studied Philosophy. She and her husband, David, have two children (ages 3 and 5), two dogs (Clio and Byron), and two cats (Caesar and Shadow). In her free time, Suzanne enjoys reading, drawing, and spending time with her family. |
Zoot Pet Hospital
Holiday Hours Zoot Pet Hospital lobby, boarding, and hospital will be open on Saturday, December 24 and Saturday, December 31 from 9am-12pm. There will be no Sunday pickup on Sunday, December 25 or Sunday, January 1st. 3981 Highway 29 W Georgetown, TX 78628 (512)864-9668 |
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Merry Christmas
The staff of Zoot Pet Hospital would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We appreciate the gift of being able to provide you and your pet family with the exceptional level of care you have come to expect. Many blessings to each of you in 2012. |
| Canine Influenza
There has been a lot of talk lately about Influenza being confirmed in 30 dogs in a San Antonio boarding facility and veterinary hospital. The doctors at Zoot would like to review the basics of Influenza with our patients and hopefully answer some questions that you may have about this emerging disease.
What is Influenza? Influenza is a virus that produces fever, joint pain, and upper respiratory signs in many species. This virus is usually primarily species specific, meaning your dog can't catch the flu from you and vice versa. Death is unusual but stems from respiratory complications in the very young or very old patients.
Sickness in Dogs When exposed, about 50% of dogs will make antibodies and clear the infection without any signs of illness at all. The other 50% will get symptoms of the flu; namely fever, listlessness, coughing and nasal discharge. The mortality rate is very low, and most animals recover quickly with supportive treatment.
How is it transmitted? Infected dogs shed the virus in body secretions, whether they outwardly appear sick or not. The virus can persist on toys, bowls, collars and leashes for several days. Infected animals are considered contagious for 14 days.
Can I test for the flu? Testing for influenza is difficult and can yield many false results. This is due to the fact that animals actively shed the virus prior to showing any clinical signs and are usually no longer shedding the virus when they are actively coughing or febrile. Some of the tests required to diagnose Influenza will not yield results for several weeks, meaning that definitive diagnosis can come long after your pet has recovered from their sickness.
Vaccination? The common Kennel Cough vaccination does not protect against Influenza. There are newer vaccines available for the Influenza virus. Two vaccines are given 3 weeks apart on initial vaccine followed by a yearly booster. At the time of this writing, there have been no reported cases of canine influenza in the Austin area. Currently, Zoot Pet Hospital is not recommending this vaccination for all dogs. This vaccine should only be considered for dogs that board frequently. Please talk to our doctors or technical staff about the canine influenza vaccine should you have additional questions or concerns. |
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Holiday Safety Tips
Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
O Christmas Tree Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water-which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset-from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
Tinsel-less Town Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
New Year's Noise As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. |
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