By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.

Yep, 'tis the season again. The holidays are approaching and so are the potential hazards for your pets. With a little knowledge and some preventive measures you can keep your pets happy, healthy, and part of the festivities.
 
In Part I of the series “FOOD ITEMS THAT POSE A DANGER TO YOUR PET," we discussed several common foods that pose a danger to pets including;

• Fatty foods
• Spoiled food
• Raw meats
• Animal bones
• Chocolate
• Coffee and coffee grounds
• Xylitol sugar substitute
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions (Allium) garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks
• Avocados

Exposure to these foods is common particularly around the holidays when family and friends gather for meals. Children often feed pets scraps from the table or give chocolates to the dog. After dinner or the following day, pets get table scraps bones, or an improperly stored bag of garbage for which you get the veterinary bill. I can attest to the fact that while your household may be hectic during the holidays, the veterinary hospital is busier.

Since we discussed these food items in detail in part one of the series, let’s focus on other potential seasonal and holiday hazards. 

By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.

It’s hard to resist. They’re sitting there salivating, looking up at you while you have your dinner. Or maybe they’re watching you throw away the leftovers or table scraps. There’s no harm in sharing, right? WRONG! Don’t give in. Many of the foods we are able to digest and metabolize can be dangerous to your pet; and although we often associate food with affection, there’s no love in making your pet sick.

While many foods like cooked lean boneless chicken or turkey, rice and potatoes in the correct proportion, are fine for your pet - the following items should be avoided entirely.

THE SKINNY ON FATTY FOODS
Fatty foods pose a particular problem to pets since guardians often share their food with their pets, or their pet sneaks it out of the garbage or away from children. Fatty foods such as pan drippings, poultry skin with fat, roast beef or animal greases can make your pet quite ill. Your pet may like the taste of such foods, but their digestive systems are not equipped to deal with large quantities of fats. These fats are not the same as the Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon oil and flax seed oils that are used in supplements.

Signs of gastrointestinal upset due to fatty foods include:

• Not wanting to eat (anorexia)
• Depression, lethargy, agitation
• A painful abdomen Distressed vocalizations or excessive panting
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In more serious cases, the pancreas can become inflamed (pancreatitis) and cause its digestive enzymes to not only begin to digest the pancreas, but to leach out into the abdomen and cause widespread damage. Pancreatitis can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention by your veterinarian.

IF IT’S FURRY AND LOOKING AT YOU, IT’S NOT YOUR GARBAGE CAN!
Spoiled food can lead to food poisoning in pets just as it can in humans. Bacteria and molds can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis as well as neurologic signs (unsteady stance or walking, tremors, seizures). Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of food poisoning. Your pet should be seen immediately by your veterinarian if it shows signs of food poisoning.

NO "TAR TAR" FOR TOTO
Raw meats can contain parasites and high bacterial levels which can lead to infections. If meats are part of your pet’s diet, they should be lean and fully cooked.

KEEP IT CLEAN
Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly for your small pets, such as rodents and rabbits. This will reduce potentially harmful bacteria populations and residual insecticide and pesticide contamination.

THEY HAVE ALL THE BONES THEY NEED
Animal bones may also be a danger to your pet as they can splinter, forming shards that can lacerate and / or puncture through sections of the digestive tract. They can also form obstructions if larger pieces of bone are swallowed. This often requires surgical removal of the foreign material. In addition, raw, undercooked or store-bought bones can often contain high bacterial counts which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

A MUDSLIDE MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Chocolate contains a chemical known as theobromine which can cause excessive stimulation of the brain and heart, leading to tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate (tachycardia), diarrhea, urinary accidents and vomiting. These effects can be life threatening and require specific medical management by a veterinarian. The amount of chocolate that will cause toxic effects depends on the theobromine content of the chocolate and the amount consumed by your pet. The highest concentrations of theobromine are found in baking chocolate and pure cacao powders, and decreases from dark chocolate to milk chocolate. Cacao bean mulch used in landscaping can also be a potential source of toxicity. While a single M&M would not likely cause notable toxic effects in most dogs, even a small amount of dark chocolate could cause toxic effects to a small dog. The most common causes of chocolate exposure for dogs are from family members, especially children, feeding candies or desserts to the dog, or from the dog taking it from a table or from the garbage. If you suspect or know your pet has gotten into chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately for advice.

Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 563-569

NO ESPRESSO FOR FIDO
Coffee and coffee grounds contain the stimulant caffeine which, like chocolate, causes excessive stimulation of the nervous system and heart. Pets begin acting restless about an hour after exposure. They may show signs similar to chocolate toxicity including tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate (tachycardia), diarrhea, urinary accidents and vomiting. Caffeine toxicity can be life threatening. Again, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately if your pet has ingested coffee or grounds.

Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 563-569

SUGAR: THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free products such as gum, toothpaste, children’s vitamins and baked goods. In dogs, xylitol can cause blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels (hypoglycemia). It may lead to acute liver failure with or without the signs of hypoglycemia. Signs of exposure in dogs include weakness, shaking, and / or seizures due to hypoglycemia. These may occur within an hour of the time of ingestion. Signs including lethargy and vomiting may be seen within a day due to acute liver failure. If you suspect or know your dog has ingested products containing xylitol, see your veterinarian right away, as prompt medical treatment is critical. This is a potentially fatal toxicity, so take precautions including reading ingredient labels for products containing xylitol and keeping these products out of reach of your dog.

1.Dunayer EK, Gwaltney-Brant SM. Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in eight dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006; 229; 1113-1117 
2. Dunayer EK. New findings on the effects of xylitol ingestion in dogs.Vet Med 2006, Dec; 791-796

A NUTTY TOXICITY
Macadamia nuts found in candies, cookies and as roasted nuts can cause weakness, particularly in the hind limbs of dogs. Tremors, unstable stance or difficulty walking (ataxia), vomiting and depression have also been seen in macadamia nut toxicity. The exact principle or mechanism is not yet fully understood, but in most cases pets return to normal within a few days.

1. Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS, DABVT, Macadamia nut toxicosis in dogs “Toxicology Brief”, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Copyright 2002, Veterinary Medicine Publishing Group 1717 S. Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802 
2. Hansen, S.R. et al.: Weakness, tremors, and depression associated with macadamia nuts in dogs. Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 42 (1):18-21; 2000.

THEY MAY BE SWEET, BUT THEY'RE NOT DOG TREATS
Grapes and raisins can lead to life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs and possibly in cats. Not all dogs develop acute kidney failure after exposure, but it is not a test you want to perform. So, the best solution at this time is not to allow your pet to ingest grapes or raisins. The exact mechanism of toxicity is not understood, but acute renal failure (kidney) is common with even relatively small quantities of ingested grapes or raisins. Vomiting may be one of the first signs noted within a few hours of exposure. Other signs including depression or lethargy, diarrhea, increased drinking (Polydipsia), and abdominal pain may develop within several hours to days. As with all toxicities, the sooner a veterinarian can begin decontamination and supportive treatment, the better the prognosis for your pet. A wait-and-see approach may lead to life-threatening kidney failure and a grave prognosis for your pet.

1. Katrina McKnight, BS, CVT Grape and Raisin Toxicity In Dogs Veterinary Technician February 2005 Toxicology Brief 135 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Urbana, Illinois
2. Means C: Health, The wrath of grapes. ASPCA Animal Watch. Available at http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/grapes.pdf?docID=189; updated 2002.
3. Mazzaferro EM: Case report: Acute renal failure associated with raisin or grape ingestion in 4 dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 14(3):203–212, 2004.
4. Gwaltney-Brant S, Holding JK, Donaldson CW, et al: Renal failure associated with ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs. JAVMA 218:1555–1556, 2001.

BAD FOR YOUR BREATH AND YOUR PET
Onions (Allium) and related plants including garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks contain compounds that damage red blood cells which leads to their destruction by the body (hemolysis). Red blood cells are the oxygen-carrying cells in blood. This onion-related loss of red blood cells is known as Heinz Body Anemia and can be severe enough to be life threatening. Like many toxicities, onion toxicity is dose dependent, i.e. the more that is ingested, the more severe the toxic effect. It doesn’t matter if they are raw, cooked, or in powdered seasonings.

Typical effects of onion toxicity include:

• Decreased or lack of appetite (anorexia)
• Depression
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pale or yellow (icterus) gums, lips, whites of the eyes, or inside of ear
• Increased breathing rate or respiration.

If promptly and properly treated, many cats and dogs will make a good recovery. But again, prompt medical attention is important.
​
Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 248, p280 Denise M. Simmons, TOXICOLOGY BRIEF Onion Breath 424 Veterinary Technician August 2001

HOLD THE GUACAMOLE
Avocados (Persea americana) contain a compound known as Persin which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats, and potentially fatal respiratory and heart toxicity in birds and rodents. All parts of the plant contain the toxic compound Persin in various amounts, and pets should be protected from ingestion of any part of the plant.

Peterson, Michael E. , Talcott, Patricia A. SMALL ANIMAL TOXICOLOGY, Saunders 2001 p 305
​
If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a harmful or toxic substance of any kind, or if your pet is showing signs of illness, talk to a veterinarian immediately. Don’t waste precious time waiting to see if your pet recovers. Some toxicities may appear to improve but may worsen later, and lead to serious complications. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you know or suspect a problem to give your pet a better chance for recovery. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether or not your pet needs to be seen immediately, or if home treatment or monitoring is appropriate. You may be asked by your veterinarian to contact animal poison control to secure an initial case number. The contact numbers are listed below. Please make sure your veterinarian specifies which service to call. And remember: prevention is the key!

By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.
 
Frequently my clients ask me about invisible fence systems. My advice to them is to consider several factors before spending money on this type of fencing (all brands, including Invisible Fence®). The main goal of any fence – physical or invisible – is to keep your four-legged family members safe inside your property. What pet owners often don’t realize is how vulnerable their pets can be in an invisibly fenced space. You should never leave your pets unattended in this type of fencing.

Manufacturers and installers of invisible fence systems warn owners that the fence doesn’t prevent other animals from entering your property and into the fenced area. There are several potential threats that could result in serious injury or fatality. These dangers include:

• Roaming dogs are able to make contact with your pet (dog or cat). I have treated several dogs for bite wounds because they were attacked while inside invisibly fenced yards. Remember, too, that people are also at risk of injury if they try to break up a dog fight.
• Predators, such as coyotes, and scavenging raccoons, skunks, and opossums, can enter an invisibly fenced yard. An encounter with a wild animal poses the potential risk for Rabies exposure or attack.
• People have direct access to your pet. This creates a potential bite hazard, particularly for children who come in contact with your dog or cat. A pet can easily be stolen with such a system, especially if left unsupervised.

Beyond the risk of intruders, invisible fencing has other inherent shortcomings that can risk your pet’s safety. Some drawbacks are due to owner carelessness, while others occur even when the system is used properly. Following are some common scenarios that could put your pet – or others – in harms way.

• Backup battery supplies must be monitored. Some electronic fence systems come with a backup battery supply in case of a power failure but these need to be maintained. Battery powered collars may indicate when a battery is low. However, danger arises when the pet owner forgets that the battery is low and results in a pet wandering off the property.  
• The invisible system is only effective when the collar is worn; but sometimes it slips off. I’ve been contacted by people who have found dogs without their fence collars, wandering far from home. 
• Some dogs get so excited about chasing an object that they run right through the fence system – despite the painful shock. Once their pursuit has ended, your pet will avoid coming back onto your property for fear of being shocked again.
• Drivers may also be at risk when they observe a dog running in your yard toward the street. Thinking that the dog is headed out of the yard and into the roadway, they might react by slamming on the brakes. Although the dog stops right at the edge of the invisible fence, the driver just narrowly avoids an accident (or not) with the car behind them.
• Collars used for invisible fence systems can cause neck wounds from the metal prongs (electrodes) rubbing against your pet’s skin. These electrodes must make contact with the skin to deliver an electric shock when your pet goes beyond the boundaries. The electrodes come in different shapes, with some being pointed rather than rounded, but both shapes can cause irritation. I have seen horrible neck wounds made by rounded prongs, even when the collar was tightened properly.
• Another concern with collars and the metal electrodes in them is the pressure they put on the trachea (“wind pipe”). Smaller dog breeds are especially prone to tracheal collapse, which can be exacerbated by use of the collar, or potentially initiate the problem. For these reasons, I advise you to not leave these collars on your pets continuously, but rather to put them on only when your pet is going into the invisibly fenced area.

Like many of you, I consider my cats and dogs as part of my family. I have zapped myself with these invisible fencing collars to see what the jolt feels like. I realize most dogs and cats will learn what the warning tone means as they approach the limits of their boundaries once they’ve been shocked a few times and have been properly trained to use the system. However, I’ve concluded that this method is neither a process nor a stimulus that I’m comfortable using with my four-legged family members.  I believe there’s a better, safer way to secure your pets outside – a physical fence. Good fences make more than good neighbors. They keep your animal family members safe inside your property and predators and strangers out.

As described, many of the problems with invisible fence systems result from owner error, lack of good judgment, or misuse, but the inherent drawbacks are equally as problematic. I urge you to carefully consider the options before your purchase. If you do elect an invisible fence system, remember to watch your pet while outside. Regularly check the equipment for proper operation and your pet’s neck for signs of skin irritation from the collar.

Best wishes and keep them happy, healthy, and safe!

By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.

​It’s amazing we still need to keep telling people to not leave their pets and children in a hot car. Yet, after yesterdays visit to the drug store, it’s obvious we still do. I pulled in to the parking space and got out and in the next car is a Jack (Parson’s) Russell Terrier sitting in the front seat of a car with the windows cracked about ½ inch. The dog was panting away and agitated. The car was facing into the sun and you could see the heat radiating off the car. So I asked the cashier in the drug store to make an announcement. No Go. His boss would not let him, “the disruption of customers is against store policy.”  With that information I found the shoppers on my own and had to request that one of them return to the vehicle and attend to the pup and remain with air conditioning running. They did so with great consternation and disbelief in my concern. Every year we hear about children and pets suffering from and dying of heat stroke from being left in cars. Every year it’s in the news, and yet every year it keeps happening. 

​Canines and felines do not expel heat efficiently in hot environments. ​Their main mode of heat transfer is panting and they can transfer some heat from their foot pads, nose, and ears, but they do not sweat or have the large surface area like our exposed sweating skin, to transfer heat. If the interior temperature of the vehicle is close to that of their body temperature (99 Fahrenheit -102.5 Fahrenheit) then they will not be able to cool off and can suffer from heat stroke very quickly. 

The second issue is the physics of heat collection in the car. The infrared radiation (IR) that passes through the glass into the car is trapped and far greater than the IR energy escaping the car. The car continues to heat up. Even if it’s relatively comfortable outside let’s say 75 Fahrenheit, and the windows are cracked open, on a clear day, the car can heat up to 100 degrees (F) in less than 15 minutes and can cause heat stroke and death in pets! Short faced breads like Bull Dogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, etc, are at a greater risk of heat stroke. 

SO, what to do:

1. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR!
2. Leave them at home in cool environment and with plenty of water.
3. Go through the drive-thru if available.
4. If you have to take a pet with you, have someone go with you and stay in the car with the air conditioning running.
5. Go before or shortly after sun rise or after sunset.

If you come across a pet or child left alone in a vehicle on a warm, sunny day, tell the store manager to make announcement, quickly find the owner and non-confrontationally explain that their pet is in danger of heat stroke. If you are not able to find the owner or the owner does not respond to the situation then, you may have to call the police in order to save a life! 

If your companion animal is suffering from heat stroke:

1. Get them out of the vehicle or location and into the shade.
2. Water them down with a hose or bottled water. Get their ears, chest, arm pits, belly, and groin wet. It should not be ice cold as this can lead to shock and can over cool them. Water soaked towels work as well.
3. Keep their mouth wet (with a little water if conscious), and their nose and mouth clear.
4. Get them to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible for further treatment and assessment. It is important to have them seen immediately even if they seem back to normal.  

Please, Please, Please, tell everyone you know with companion animals to never leave them in a warm car unattended! 
​
Best wishes; 
Eric R. Hurwit, DVM

By Eric Hurwit D.V.M. 

A recent visitor to GalacticPet.com had a great question about a very common problem in felines. K.S. inquired about how to treat her cat for hair balls — an excessive amount of hair swallowed by a cat, and then regurgitated. 

Q: “Hi, I’m looking for a hair ball remedy for my nine-year-old cat. She gets sick sporadically, from every four to six days, then she isn’t sick at all. 
A: The best single remedy for hair ball is grooming with a flea comb and brush. Quickly brushing your feline once a day or so eliminates the cause of hair ball, plus it helps your feline in several other important ways: 

• Brushing removes the hair that the cat would ingest when grooming itself, which greatly reduces the chances of building up a hair ball.
• Brushing the cat’s hair coat makes it very glossy, as combing helps to remove dander and spreads oils through the coat. A hypothesis exists, suggesting that cats secrete an inactive form of vitamin D from the skin, which is then activated by sunlight. Cats then groom themselves and ingest the active form of vitamin D. If this hypothesis is correct, grooming your cat will help them nutritionally as well.
• Brushing helps reduce the chances of hair mats forming in the hair coat, particularly problematic in medium- and long-haired felines.
• For many cats — though certainly not all — grooming is a calming, social bonding activity between owner and pet.
• Brushing reduces allergens including dander and salivary proteins. Brushing removes excess hair and dander, thus reducing allergens that play a significant role in human allergies to felines.

There are many hair ball remedies available on the market, but generally I don’t recommend them. Most products just hide the cause and don’t treat the problem. Many products contain mineral oil; this can lead to digestive upset and vomiting, and potentially hinder the absorption/uptake of nutrients in the digestive track. I also advise feline owners to avoid foods labeled as “Hair Ball Formula,” and only rarely recommend the temporary use of Laxitone (mineral oil based) in small quantities when medically indicated. For example, hair ball can occasionally lead to serious medical complications when it becomes too large for the feline to expel through vomiting. In this case, a hard ball, called a trichobezoar, blocks the GI track and need to be removed surgically.

​What if your feline’s vomiting isn’t hair ball related? Unless you actually see hair regurgitated there could be another medical condition causing your cat to vomit, such as dietary intolerance, parasitism, or a systemic medical condition. Your first course of action should be to visit your veterinarian so your feline can have thorough exam in order to diagnose the problem. Don’t delay! Your feline’s health may depend on quick treatment.
 
Clearly, the best remedy for hair ball is to prevent it before it causes your feline companion any problem. Good grooming habits promote good health and provide opportunity for bonding exchange. Many of my clients report successful outcomes with this method. My personal experience with my own eight cats is more evidence that brushing is the answer to controlling hair ball without medicinal remedies or special diets. 

By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.

This is the second of a multi-part series on finding the perfect veterinarian. In this article, we’ll focus on basic questions and concerns to address when searching for a primary veterinarian. You can read Part One here.

O.K., so you’ve read “Searching for the Perfect Veterinarian - Part One” and you’ve lined up an emergency vet and have some idea of how to finance an emergency visit. So now let’s focus on finding your primary veterinarian or clinic.

Having the right veterinarian is critically important for maintaining the health of your four-legged, feathered, or scaly family member. Your veterinarian will be a source of comprehensive veterinary medical information and guidance, which will be valuable to you and your family.

As a result of your initial search for an emergency veterinary practice, you probably developed a list of facilities available in your area. If not, use our website, the phone book, or talk with family and friends, and ask them whom they would recommend. Often they have valuable information about their past experiences with local veterinarians.

Once you have a list of potential veterinary facilities, call them and collect some information over the phone. This initial phone contact is an opportunity to gather important information about the practice and to get a sense of how receptive they are to your inquiries. How they treat you on the phone is an indication of how they treat their patients. Note the following:

• Pleasantness of receptionist - are you greeted pleasantly, given thorough answers, or are you rushed through your questions?
• Hold time - if this is going to be your primary veterinary practice, you want prompt service. An unreasonably long hold time on the phone is unacceptable, especially in the event of an emergency. Be certain the practice has an emergency number or automatic extension to  handle your call quickly. 
• Practice knowledge - the receptionist should be able to answer basic questions about the practice. Here are some questions you should ask, and that the receptionist should easily answer:
• What are their hours of operation (days & hours)?
• What are their emergency hours (if applicable)?
• If they do not have after-hours emergency services, whom do they refer patients to?
• How many doctors are there on staff and what are their hours?
• Are there board certified specialists on staff? If yes, what specialties do they offer? Some specialties to inquire about include:
  • Anesthesiology
  • Behavior
  • Emergency medicine/Critical care
  • Exotics
  •  Internal Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Radiology
  • Surgery
• Are the specialists full time or part time?
• Are patients kept overnight? If so, who monitors them in the hospital overnight?
  • Doctor
  • Technician
  • Other
  • No patient monitoring over night. 
• Does Hospital/Clinic have an:
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with Oxygen
  • Isolation ward (separate ward for contagious patients)
• What are exam costs for:
  • Emergency
  • Acute
  • Basic Health
  • Brief Recheck/suture removal
• How much time does the doctor allow for a basic annual exam (10, 20 minutes, or more)? Note: speed does not equal competence!
• What are basic vaccine costs (for comparison purposes only)?
  • Rabies
  • Distemper
• What other services does the practice offer?
  • Boarding
  • Grooming
  • Day care
  • Physical therapy
  • Alternative medicine
  • Training
  • Other
• Does the practice accept Care Credit?
• Which pet insurance does the practice accept?
• What are the payment options?
  • Visa/MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Personal check
  • Debit card
• Does the practice require payment before services are rendered? (Caution: some practices require you to pay or make a deposit for services, including emergencies, before your companion will be treated!)
• Does the practice have a web site?
• Can you refill medications through their web site?

As you collect this information you will quickly assess what each veterinary practice has to offer. Hopefully at the end of this process you will make an educated decision about which practices meet your criteria. You’ll be ready to take the next step and visit the facility for a closer look and to meet the staff. Stay focused on the most important factor, which is to find a competent, caring, and honest veterinarian who communicates effectively with you — and a doctor who also knows when they need to refer a patient for more advanced care.

By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.

Following is the first of an multi-part series on finding the perfect veterinarian. In this article, we’ll focus on the need to have an accessible veterinarian for emergency situations.

Why the search?
Maybe you have moved to a new town, or have gotten your first pet -- or maybe you were unhappy with your last veterinarian and are trying to find a new one. Whatever the reason for your search, having the right veterinarian is critically important for the health of your new family member. It is an investment in a source of veterinary medical information and guidance for yourself and family.

This search is a task requiring diligence and patience, and depending on your location, you may have quite a selection of veterinary clinicians, clinics, and hospitals to choose from. If you take your time investigating and asking the right questions, you are likely to find the right match for you and your furry family member. Remember, you have options as a consumer and can always take your business elsewhere if you’re displeased with your current veterinary care.

While there is no way to be one hundred percent certain of your choice of veterinarian, and no one veterinarian, clinic, or hospital is going to be perfect in every way, it’s possible to find a truly competent veterinarian and facility that meets your standards and matches your personality.

The “Golden Hour”
Imagine this scenario: You have come home after work, or you’re outside working on the yard on a Saturday afternoon and you come inside to find your companion (the furry one) collapsed, or unresponsive, or suffering from a major physical trauma. You’re in a panic, confused and scrambling for the phone book to call a veterinarian. In a true emergency you may have what is called the “Golden Hour,” though usually far less, to get your pet immediate medical attention.

This scenario is one of the most unfortunate and critical situations. Unless your current veterinarian is the closest one to you and is open twenty four hours a day, you should do some research before you face an emergency:

• First, locate the veterinary clinic or hospital that is the closest and or has the shortest driving time. They do not have to become your regular veterinarian. You’re just looking for who can provide the necessary care in the shortest time.
• Once you have found one or more locations, call them to ask if they provide emergency care and/or if they are equipped to stabilize a patient in the event of an emergency.
• Know their hours of service.
• Become familiar with the driving route by either driving to the hospital and or mapping out the route.
• Consider setting up an account ahead of time to save time in the event of an emergency. This is a particularly good idea if your pet is being treated for a current medical condition.

If your closest veterinarian does not provide twenty-four hour service, you should also know the phone number, location, and driving route to the closest twenty-four hour or overnight veterinary emergency hospital. Once your pet has been stabilized, you can always transport them to your regular veterinarian. Note that some overnight emergency hospitals are only open overnight and do not provide services during the day. They will require that your pet is picked up for transfer to a full-service hospital or taken home in the morning.

On the road
Being prepared is equally important when you are away from home. If you plan to travel with your pet, take a copy of your pet’s current medical record with you as well as a photo of your pet in case of an emergency. Take the time before the trip to make sure you know the locations and contact information for veterinary hospitals at your destination and at locations along the way if you are driving and plan to stay overnight along the way. 

Financing an emergency
Being prepared for an emergency also involves being prepared financially in order to afford the cost of emergency medical care and possibly the cost of extended hospital care. Ways to finance medical care include: 

• Care Credit, a credit service that allows you to cover the cost of medical care by splitting up the cost into monthly payments. There are no finance charges as long as payments are made on time. You can apply for Care Credit online at www.carecredit.com/vetmed/endorsements.html or call (800) 677-0718. You can access Care Credit from our website GalacticPet.Com. Select Pet Insurance, Care Credit, then click “visit this business.”
• Pet insurance can provide for needed financial assistance in the event of an emergency. Please visit our site and select the Pet Insurance category for the listings for Pet Insurance providers.
• A savings account may also help in the event of an emergency. Setting aside a little money each week can help to cover your pet’s medical expenses.

In the event of a true emergency, being well prepared can save precious time and help the chances of your companion’s survival. Please take the time and effort to be well prepared. Both you and your companion will be grateful you did!