More Important Information for you to Know

             GROTON PLACE AND THE RAIL TRAIL (in Groton MA)   

They are great places to take your dog for a walk, but because of the number of dog owners that do go there, keep in mind a  few of these precautions.

1. It is always best to walk your dog on a leash to prevent wandering and possibly getting hurt or lost but also to avoid dog fights.

2. Have your dog's stool tested every 6 months for parasites. Most dog owners will pick up their dog's poop but some don't and that  is one  easy way for your dog to pick up parasites.

3. Because there are a lot of dogs around these areas it is good idea to vaccinate your dog for Kennel Cough. This is a yearly nasal or injectable vaccine. Wild canids can also transmit parasites and upper respiratory infections.

     WILD ANIMAL CAUTIONS                              

In the Groton area we have a problem with Coyotes and Fishers. Don't let cats out after dusk or don't let them stay out, always call them in before dusk. Coyotes and Fishers will eat cats and small dogs.

Swimming - When you let your dogs swim take them to a place where there are no beavers or beaver dams. Beavers will kill a dog. Also after a swim hose off with clean water and dry your dogs ears and coat to prevent skin infections. Some dogs may also be allergic to the algae in the water.

Owls and large birds of prey are also a danger for puppies, kittens, cats or small dogs. They are small enough for them to swoop down and grab them. So always supervise when they are outside.  

 HOW OLD IS YOUR CAT?          HOW OLD IS YOUR DOG?

CAT'S AGE	HUMAN AGE		AGE	0-20LBS	21-50LBS	51-90LBS	>90LBS
1 yr	15 yrs		5	36	37	40	42
2	25		6	40	42	45	49
4	40		7	44	47	50	56
7	50		8	48	51	55	64
10	60		9	52	56	61	71
15	75		10	56	60	66	78
20	105		11	60	65	72	86
			12	64	69	77	93
			13	68	74	82	101
			14	72	78	88	108
			15	76	83	93	115
			16	80	87	99	123
			17	84	92	104
			18	88	96	109
			19	92	101	115
			20	95	105	120

               HOW LONG WILL THEY LIVE?   

Ferret	6 - 10 years
Hedgehog	4 - 6
Rabbit	6 - 10
Guinea Pig	5 - 7
Hamster	2 - 3

GENTLE LEADER HEADCOLLAR - PREMIER PET PRODUCT
             

The Gentle Leader headcollar offers a fast, gentle, effective way to control unwanted behavior - without harsh methods or devices. Because it's scientifically designed to work with your dog's natural instincts, behavior changes in minutes - not weeks. This collar was created and designed by a veterinarian.
The headcollar is NOT a muzzle! When it is fit properly, your dog is free to open his mouth, eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite - except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash.                       

The Nose Loop - dogs are naturally "pack" animals with highly structured social order. One of the ways the pack leader will demonstrate his position is to gently but firmly grasp a subordinates muzzle in his mouth. This is non-aggressive but very clear signal regarding who's the boss! The nose loop encircles your dog's muzzle in this same manner, letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. Dogs feel more secure when they know who is the leader.

The Neck Strap - The Gentle Leader applies pressure to the back of the neck rather than the front of the throat. This works with your dogs natural instinct to relax and act calm - just like when they were puppies being picked up by the back of their necks by their mother. Also, dogs tend to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at the back of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash pulling!

What the Gentle Leader Headcollar does for you and your pet:
   * Teaches "sit"          * Stops pulling and lunging          * Prevents jumping
   * Controls barking     * Stops begging                           * Won't choke
   * Not a muzzle           * Helps with aggression problems
This collar also has a training video to help you and your family learn to fit and use the Gentle Leader headcollar to its full potential.
You can also call our office and set up an initial collar fitting appointment and demonstration on how to use the collar.

  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to explain the important benefits of purchasing products from your veterinarian versus third party retailers, such as the Internet and/or pet supply catalogs. Current media campaigns aim to persuade pet owners to purchase products through the channels that are not monitored or regulated by any federal or state agencies. We believe this is not safe for your pet. We relied on the following facts to support this decision.

- All products sold by Groton Veterinary Hospital were received directly from the manufacturer and immediately stored in an appropriate environment. Similar products unlawfully diverted to third party retailers, unfortunately, are not held in proper conditions.

- Manufacturers of pet medications will only offer their guarantee on products purchased directly from a veterinarian. If you were to have a problem with a product, the manufacturer will only support your claim if the product was purchased from a veterinary clinic.

- If you purchase from a pet-product diverter, you are not provided with proper instruction on how to administer the medications. Some products require pre-testing on your pet in order to prevent adverse reactions. Since the efficacy of the products often depends on proper usage, we can demonstrate how to properly administer the product. We also keep a long-standing record of your pet's health that helps us to determine which products are best for your pet. If you should have any questions regarding your pet's medication, you will be able to speak directly to a veterinary staff member who will have direct access to your pet's medical history and record. There should always be a patient/doctor relationship when prescribing any  medication to a pet. Your pets weight, medical history, age, breed, temperature, and current medical status are all important pieces of information we use when considering what medication is best for your pet. Internet and catalogue services do not care to take these important pieces of information into consideration, which can be harmful or even fatal to your pet.

- The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) developed the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices Sites (VIPPS) program, and states that there are currently several judgments pending against third party retailers that have violated NABP regulations.

- While it may seem to cost less to purchase online, the actual savings are at your veterinary office. Online offers do not include free product or rebates whereas your veterinary clinic does. There are also shipping and handling charges when ordering online or through a catalogue. If there is an actual savings of cost when purchasing products online, the savings are minimal and does not justify the long-term risks.   

Many discrepancies regarding the purchase of products through third party diverters arise from the belief that veterinarians are required, by law, to write any prescription requested by pet owner. In Massachusetts, a veterinarian is only required to write prescriptions to pharmacies registered in Massachusetts or to a VIPPS-certified pharmacy and only if the prescription is appropriate for the patient.

Our goal is to provide the best possible care for your pet. We believe that in order to do this, we must steer our clients away from buying products through unregulated channels. We thank you for your understanding and support. Please feel free to call our office with any questions or comments.  

     GRAPE AND RAISIN TOXICITY  

     Dogs are exposed to grapes and raisins in many ways. Frequently dogs will eat the fruit off vine or steel them from plates. Grapes and raisins have been recommended as treats and training aids in the past because the fruit is tasty and relatively low in calories. Unfortunately dogs have been having dangerous reactions to grapes and raisins. The fruit has also been used with ferrets as treats, however with the high incidence rate of insulinomas in the ferret neither fruit is good because of the high sugar content.
     Since 2001 there has been as many as 200 calls made to the ASPCA Poison Control Center involving potential exposures to grapes or raisins in dogs. Sensitive dogs run the risk of initial gastrointestinal upset followed by acute kidney failure. Since we do not know who will be sensitive and actually how much of the fruits could cause a problem it is now recommended that grapes and raisins not be given as treats.
     Vomiting is usually the first sign of grape or raisin toxicity and con occur within the first 2 hours of ingestion. Other initial signs that can occur within the first 5-6 hours of ingestion are diarrhea, lethargy and polydipsia (excessive water drinking). Signs of kidney involvement may develop either within 24 hours or several days later. These signs include anorexia, lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tremors.
     The best kinds of treats for your dog will always be something that is made especially for your dog or ferret. But if you must try something new or feel bad when he/she is staring at your plate, call your veterinarian and ask if it is ok first before you give your pet a sample. Sometimes the most harmless things turn out to be quite the killer.