Two People Exposed to Rabies by ‘Indoor' Cat

Written by: Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association

DALTON, GA (WRCB) - Two Whitfield County residents are now undergoing rabies treatments after exposure to a pet cat that the Georgia Public Health Laboratory has now confirmed as positive for rabies.

The 15-year old cat bit its owner and exposed the owner's fiancée to the disease before it died. A test for rabies came back positive October 26, 2012.

The cat was reported to have had rabies vaccinations in the past but was not current with its vaccinations.

Due to the age of the animal and being kept indoors, the expected probability of rabies was considered small. The cat's owner could not remember an incident when the cat may have been exposed to rabies.

Public health officials have gone on a door-to-door campaign in Dalton delivering rabies notices, since the area is well-populated.

Domestic dogs and cats typically become rabid within one to three months from exposure, longer incubation periods have been documented. In some cases, humans have not developed rabies until several years after exposure.

Rabies is usually transmitted by exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal through a bite or scratch. Wild carnivores such as bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bobcats and foxes serve as a reservoir for the disease virus and these wild animals can transmit it to domestic dogs, cats, livestock and people.

Bats are considered to be one of the primary conduits for rabies transmission to humans. Contact with bats should be avoided.

For questions on rabies, contact your local county environmental health office or visit the CDC website. Story courtesy AVMA

Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween around the corner and children getting ready for a night of trick-or-treating, pet parents need to be more aware of their furry friend. Halloween, and other holidays can be dangerous for pets. A mixture of costumes, decorations, candy, among other things can be not only scary, but sometimes lethal. Prevent your pet’s Halloween from becoming a real fright night by taking the proper precautions.

Strangers parading in costumes down your street can potentially cause stress to your pet. Depending on how busy your street becomes, people making loud noises, screaming, laughing, and running can startle pets and cause them to become either timid or aggressive. If this is the case, comfort your pet or keep them in a pet-proof room. It is also not a good idea to take the family dog out trick-or-treating with you. Even if your dog is friendly, anything could happen around strange, new people.

If you decide to really get in the spirit of Halloween and decorate your house, inside or out, be aware of the dangers. Cats more so than dogs could chew on lights, wires and other harmful objects causing serious injury or death, and decoration damage. It is never okay to leave any animal unattended around any type of decorations. Other festive objects can scare your pet like things that have sudden movements or make noises.

You can’t celebrate Halloween without food or candy! Remember that pets shouldn’t have any type of candy whatsoever. They can choke, damage their teeth, get an upset stomach, or even die. Chocolate can be a very fatal treat to pets. All types are chocolate are bad, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that dark or baking chocolate are especially dangerous. The ASPCA also warns against the artificial sweetener xylitol, found in some candies which can also cause problems with your pet’s health.

Make certain if you’re dressing your pets up, their costumes are actually pet friendly. Many costumes may contain dangling parts, loose fabrics, and other things that can be easily chewed, swallowed, or become a choking hazard. Also, the ASPCA says that decorative corn and pumpkins are relatively non toxic but may cause an upset stomach. Candles are an extreme hazard for a spooked or curious pet. The candle can be eaten, knocked over, and injure your pet or even start a fire! So this Halloween pet-proof your home and make it safe. If there is an emergency call your local pet poison control and/or contact our office.

On The Road With Rover

For many Americans, dogs and cats are a part of the family. For some pet parents no road trip is complete without their furry companions. If you are planning a road trip, no matter the distance, there are a few traveling tips that will make your pet comfortable and safe while in route.

The first step before driving off on a new family adventure is to make sure your pet is in a well-ventilated pet carrier or crate. The crate must have enough space for your four-legged friend to have room for standing and stretching. Also, it's easier if your pet is familiar with the carrier beforehand. You can introduce the crate a few weeks prior to the trip, and start familiarizing your pet by placing treats inside it. Make sure that the carrier is secure and stable inside your vehicle. For bigger dogs a special seatbelt or safety harness may be an option. It is especially important to restrain your dog if you are planning to keep car windows open.

The key things to remember are:

• Feed your pet minimally and keep them well hydrated while traveling. 
• Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle, even for a short period of time. Not only it is unlawful, but with summer temperatures in the triple digits it is too hot and dangerous for pets to be left in cars. Temperatures in cars can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. 
• Bring a pet emergency kit on the trip. The kit should be basic items such as paper towels, food and water dishes, a leash, food, plastic bags, waste scoop, any medication your pet is on, and a toy from home for comfort. 

Another tip for traveling with pets is to have an ID tag with the pets picture and your information just in case you and your pet get separated. Getting a microchip implanted can also help to reunite you and your pet if you become separated. All animal shelters, veterinary clinics and city pounds are equipped with microchip scanners. There are also pet collars with GPS tracking devices. If you and your family plan on staying in hotels, always check if your hotel has pet accommodations or restrictions.

A veterinarian could evaluate your pet's current health and fitness level, and advice on such issues as car sickness, extensive exercise, exposure to tick/mosquito borne diseases, and general travel safety. Please don’t hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable and trusted veterinarians at Portage Park Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic.

When Your Family Member Wanders

As our team members observed, we are taking in more and more stray pets lately. They now average at one or two each day. A lot of them are older dogs that need special attention and care. Please rest assured that we do everything we can to reunite lost pets with their owners. In addition to scanning the online resources, it may also involve legwork, scouring for signs in the neighborhood and even paying visits to people’s homes when phone numbers are disconnected.

Today we caught another runaway, Alley, at Portage Park. Her outdoor adventure lasted for only 45 minutes. After sneaking out of the house, she headed straight north, managed to safely cross several major streets and ended up the park being chased by police in vain. Our receptionists, Denise and Danielle went out there with treats and brought her back here without any trouble. Lo and behold, Alley had a microchip which allowed us to trace her owners in a matter of minutes. They had not even realized that she’d gone missing!

This success story is another reminder to all responsible pet owners: please consider micro chipping your pets. It is one of the best ways to assure their life-long companionship and safety. Feel free to contact us for more information. We offer Home Again chips and implantation with no examination charge.

More Happy Endings at Portage Park's Dog Adoption Events

Animal Care and Control had their second adoption event on Sunday July 15th at Portage Park. Despite the hot weather, it was a fun and successful day. Thanks to the efforts of ACC, Chicago Park District, Portage Park Animal Hospital, Farmers Market and Dog Friendly Area volunteers, five dogs were adopted.

One of the dogs adopted had been at Animal Care and Control for almost a year. It happens often that dogs who had been overlooked at the shelter find their new families as a result of an adoption event.

Please save the dates for our upcoming events. They will be held on August 5th and 19th, and September 5th, in conjunction with Portage Park Farmers Markets, from 10am to 2pm. Please look for our tent and the dogs wearing orange signs that say Adopt Me. Our furry stray and abandoned friends will be eagerly waiting for their new forever homes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Portage Park Animal Hospital has been Rated Among the Best in Region and Receives the 2012 CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award

Awarded to: Portage Park Animal Hospital

Star Rating: 4.5

City: Chicago State: Illinois Category: Pets

Presented by: Celebration Media U.S. (CMUS) and Talk of the Town News

Congratulations! Only the very best businesses have been chosen to receive the 2012 CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award. The award was created to showcase companies that excel in serving their customers and getting their high marks. Based on our research gathered during the past 12 months, Portage Park Animal Hospital has earned top honors and now has its very own award page on our website: www.talkofthetownnews.com. Press releases and other promotional information will be sent to regional and national wire services announcing winners.

View your rating page at www.talkofthetownnews.com/awards2012/7737250260

Celebration Media U.S. (CMUS) is a co-sponsor of the award and an independent professional research and marketing company that monitors positive and negative reviews, blogs, business rating services, social networks, and other industry resources to determine the highest-rated and top-reviewed businesses in all 50 states of the country and parts of Canada. We believe that a company can only grow by excelling in customer care and providing the best customer experience possible, and those businesses that are setting these high standards should have the tools to increase their customer base by promoting their success.

We are proud to deliver this news to you, and we encourage you to use the award to thank staff members and customers and also build new business. Share your elite status and tout the fact that you are getting top ratings with custom promotional materials including press releases, audio files, plaques, decals and certificates. Your award can stimulate new business when shared with everyone involved.

Pet Friendly Skies

Flying with your pet can be very stressful for you and your pet but with some preparation you can make your trip go a little bit more smoothly.

Whenever it is possible to avoid flying with your pet in the cargo area, do so. Unless your animal is small enough to fit in the cabin under your seat, try to leave your pet with a qualified sitter. If you must fly with your pet as cargo, there are some tips so making your transport a little safer for your four legged friend.

• Have your pet checked out by your Vet and be sure to have all of her vaccinations up to date. In the instance you are traveling outside of the United States, additional planning will be necessary. Get in touch with the foreign country you are traveling to for more detailed information. 
• Having a microchip in your pet is best along with wearing a collar and ID tag. The collar should have destination information on it in case your pet escapes. 
• Fly direct if possible. It will reduce the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather or mishandled by baggage personal. 
• Fly your pet in a USDA approved shipping crate that is big enough for your pet to sit, stand and turn around easily in. 
• Write the words “Live Animal” on the top and sides of the crate. Use arrows to unmistakably indicate the upright position of the crate. Also write the name, address and phone number of your pet’s destination point. 
• Make sure the door of the crate is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of emergency. 
• Attach a current photo of your pet to the crate for identification purposes incase your pet escapes its carrier. 
• Freeze a small tray of water for your pet the night before you leave. This way it can’t spill during loading and will melt by the time he’s thirsty. 
• Giving your pet a pill to sedate them is not generally recommended as it could hinder your pets breathing. Always check with your Veterinarian first. 
• If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever possible. 

Have a safe and comfortable trip with your pet!