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June 2011 Clinic
Report
by Mary Ann Kaye
Hip,
hip, hooray!!! PHS was at last able to use the new clinic
building, beginning with the June clinic. Thanks to Cat Harshbarger,
a sign on the road corner across from Los Porticos denotes the new
location.
Due to a brief
rain early Saturday morning and the sky remaining overcast most of
the day, attendance was fairly light. However, Sunday was bright
and sunny and more people and animals found the new PHS location.
There were 37
animals seen by Dr. Bennett. One of them was a feral cat that was
trapped, neutered, then later released. Here is what was
accomplished at this clinic:
2 dogs were
spayed
1 dog was
neutered
1 cat was
neutered
3 teeth
cleanings were done
2 cat 4in1
vaccinations were given
15 dog 6in1
vaccinations were given
14 rabies
vaccination were given to dogs & cats
Besides the
usual dogs and cats, a pet bunny with a broken leg was brought in to
see Dr. Bennett.
Again PHS
thanks Roberts Grove for giving Dr. Bennett lodging for the
weekend. And appreciation goes to all the volunteers who gave their
time and energy to this clinic: Pat Sylvester, John Vandeurzen,
Penny Dial, Jarka Tesnerova, Angie Markham, Mary Ann Kaye, Mary
Smith and Pat Vandeurzen
Now to last month’s
question: Do dogs sweat when they get hot?
Answer:
Dogs
don't have skin like we do and they can't perspire. (Have you ever
seen a dog with soaking wet underarms?) A dog's body can be easily
overwhelmed by heat, often causing the dog to suffer from
heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.
We have
sweat glands all over our bodies, so we can cool ourselves down much
quicker. Dogs don't have the luxury of overall cooling because their
bodies have very few sweat glands, and most of these are in the
footpads.
The main way dogs cool
themselves is by panting and breathing, so the moist lining of their
lungs serves as the evaporative surface (much like our skin). Many
people believe that a dog's tongue contains sweat glands, but this
is not true.
Dogs also
dissipate heat by dilating (expanding) blood vessels in their face
and ears. This helps to cool the dog's blood by causing it to
flow closer to the
surface of the skin.
Excessive play on a hot day can lead to overheating (hyperthermia)
and eventually to heat stroke. A dog that is overheated will seem
sluggish or perhaps confused. His gums and tongue may appear bright
red, and he will be panting hard. The dog may vomit, collapse, have
a seizure or go into a coma.
When a dog becomes overheated, it is a real emergency situation. If
this happens to your dog, get him to a veterinarian immediately.
Now for a
new question that will be answered in the next clinic article:
What can
you do when your pet is stung by one or more bees, wasps, or other
insects?
MAY CLINIC REPORT
by Mary Ann Kaye
The Veterinary Clinic in May was held on the 28th
and 29th, one week later than usual. Dr. Figueroa was
the attending Veterinarian for the weekend. Due to the change in
schedule and it being the beginning of the summertime slow season,
the clinic was sparsely attended.
Dr. Figueroa, however, did perform the following
procedures:
3 dogs were spayed
2 cat 4in1 vaccinations were given
26 dog 6in1 vaccinations were given
10 rabies vaccinations were given
PHS would like to express its gratitude to Roberts
Grove for letting Dr. Figueroa stay at their facility for clinic
weekend. And thanks to the volunteers who helped with this clinic:
Pat Sylvester, Jeanne Marechal, Juana Itch, John Vandeursen, Angie
Markham, Mary Smith, Penny Dial, JarkaTesnerova, Mary Ann Kaye, and
Jr. Volunteers Serena Kafka &Tessa Eiley.
Now to last month’s question:
Is a warm, dry nose the sign of a sick dog?
Answer:
The temperature of a dog’s nose does not indicate
health or illness. It also does not indicate whether or not they
have a fever. There is an ‘old wives tale’ that cold wet noses
indicate good health and that warm or dry noses indicate a fever or
illness. The only accurate method to access a dog’s temperature is
to take it with a thermometer. Normal dog temperature is 100.5 to
102.5 degrees F.
Question for this month
Do dogs sweat when they get hot?
April Clinic Report
by Mary Ann Kaye
The April clinic was a little busier than the
previous couple of monthly clinics. There was a total of 61 animals
seen by Dr. Bennett.
The surgeries he
performed were:
7 spays (2 cats
and 5 dogs)
4 neuters (2 cats
and 2 dogs)
All 4 cat
surgeries were feral cats. The PHS volunteers who assisted with the
Feral Cat Program were Deb Coston, Ted Berry, Warren & Lisa Jordan,
and Pamela Keck.
Dr. Bennett also
gave these vaccinations:
5 cat - 4in1’s
33 dog – 6in1’s
23 rabies
vaccinations to both cats & dogs
One of the 61
animals seen by Dr. Bennett was Butch. He and his owner were on
their way to this months clinic, when Butch had a little mishap. He
was run into by a bike. Fortunately, after examination by Dr.
Bennett, knicks and scrapes were the only injuries found.
Thank you to the
PHS volunteers who helped with this clinic: Pat Sylvester, Jeanne
Marechal, John VanDeurzen, Juana Itch, Angie Markham, Mary Ann Kaye,
Penny Dial, Mary Smith, and Jr. Volunteers: Serena Kafka & Tessa
Eiley.
We want to
welcome new PHS members: Aaron Stephens, Tracy Barnes, Bob & Sharon
Flindell, and Melina Carcamo. And thank you for continuing support
from this month’s renewing members: Penny Dial, Linda & Charlie
Burrow, and Linda Bisbee.
Now to last
month’s question:
It was invented
back in 1872 and it is a danger to dogs. What is it?
Answer: It
is the toothpick. Some pets like used toothpicks because well…they
often are coated with or smell like remnants of food. Some pets
will play with them and others eat them. Depending on the size of
the pet’s mouth, some toothpicks can get caught and even poke a
whole in the gums or mouth.
One dog was
reported pawing at his mouth in a lot of pain - the owner could not
even restrain him for an examination. When looked at, it was found
that a toothpick had gotten wedged in the roof of the mouth. It dug
in to his gums and they were bleeding. After restraining the pet,
the toothpick was taken out - everything was fine.
So - if you
are a toothpick user - please toss them in the trash where your dog
can't get them.
Question for this month:
Is a warm, dry nose the sign of a sick dog?
(Look for the answer in next month’s Clinic Article)
March Clinic Report
by Mary Ann Kaye
After the hectic
activities in February and early March, we are back to the regular
monthly clinics. The attending vet for the month was Dr. Floyd
Bennett, who offered discounts on all surgeries performed over the
weekend. Along with the discounted surgery cost, Dr. Bennett gave
each surgery patient an exam, nail trim, and flea & tick treatment
for the month. These additional services were given FREE to all
surgery patients.
Other specials
for the month, were Heartgard & Iverhart for monthly heartworm
preventative, and also Advantage & Vectra for cat flea treatments.
These products were offered at half price for all, with an extra
$1.00 discount on each dose for current PHS members.
Sunday started
off with a bang. There was only one surgery scheduled, but even
before that an emergency came through the door. A dog had been hit
on the road and needed immediate attention. Dr. Bennett was able to
see the dog immediately and ascertained that there were no broken
bones, only less serious damage, which was attended to. This was
followed by 3 feral
 cats being brought in by Deb Coston, a PHS Board
member, who is helping with the Feral Cat Program.
For this weekend,
there were 6 traps set in attempt of catching feral cats for surgery
and subsequent release. No feral cats were caught overnight Friday
for the Saturday clinic, but 3 were caught overnight Saturday for
Sunday’s clinic. PHS is still dedicated to reducing the feral
population on the Placencia Peninsula. Currently we will not be
holding special clinics for this purpose, but will be trying to
catch ferals for surgery on the weekends that a vet is here for a
regular clinic.
For the 2 day
clinic there were a total of 39 animals seen by Dr. Bennett. He
performed the following services for them:
1 dog
was spayed; 1 dog was neutered
1 feral
cat was spayed; 2 feral cats were neutered
1 wart
removal surgery; 1 growth removal surgery
1 teeth
cleaning
22
6-in-1 vaccinations given
10
rabies vaccinations
given
We thank the volunteers for the March
clinic who donated their
time and talents to PHS. They were: Penny
Dial, Juana Itch, Mary Ann Kaye, Jeanne Marechal, Angie Markham,
Mary Smith, Pat Sylvester, Jarka Tesnerova, John VanDeurzen, and Pat
VanDeurzen. Also a big thanks to Roberts Grove, who hosted Dr.
Bennett for the weekend.
February Clinics
by Mary Ann Kaye
In
addition to the regular monthly clinic, PHS was kept pretty busy
during February. Both a low cost clinic and a
Feral Cat clinic were
made possible through the generous donations of a Canadian
Veterinary team and the Hopkins Humane Society.
Veterinarian Nichole
Baran and her assistant Ryan Baran, both from
Ontario, Canada, had
been visiting Belize for almost a month. They had come to Belize
armed with the supplies and the endless energy necessary to provide
numerous mini clinics in the Monkey Bay area.
After working here for nearly a month and with supplies completely
exhausted, they volunteered to help PHS with not one, but two
clinics here in Placencia.
The
first clinic was a low cost event that took place at the Community
Center on Placencia on February 1st and 2nd. Spays and neuters were
done for only $50 and shots such as rabies, 6/1 and 4/1 were
provided for only $10. The following services were received at this
clinic:
Neuters - 3
Spays - 6
Hernia Surgery - 1
4/1 vaccinations (cat) -
3
6/1 vaccinations (dog) -
6
Rabies
- 7
Local volunteers helping at this clinic included,
Mary Smith, Mary Ann
Kaye, Angie Markham, Pat Rarrick, John Van Deurzen, Christine Dilts
and Pat VanDeurzen.
After only a day off, the Barans then donated their time for a Feral
Cat clinic hosted by Cat and Dale Harshbarger at their home. The
feral cats were humanely
live trapped in both Maya Beach and
Placencia Village with
the help of volunteer Deb Coston. Helping at the clinic were both
Cat Harshbarger and Carol Lem. Keep in mind that the purpose of
these feral clinics is to control the feral population, not to
eliminate the feral cats whose existence is actually important in
controlling the pest population. The neutering of 4 males and
performing the 3 spays at this clinic will help to keep a large
number of unwanted kittens from joining the feral population.
Special thanks goes out to Robert's Grove for hosting our Canadian
volunteer veterinary team and helping to make their visit to
Placencia special. Additionally, we wish to recognize our sister
Humane Society in Hopkins, without whom neither clinic would have
been possible. Usually, visiting vets will bring in all the
supplies necessary for their clinics. Because the Baran's had
already been hard at work for nearly a month, their supplies were
exhausted and that's when Hopkins Humane Society stepped up to the
plate and donated all the supplies needed for our clinics. Thank
you volunteers. Thank you Robert's Grove, and a special thank you
to the Hopkins Humane Society!
January 2011 Clinic Report
by Bob Thomas
With all the holidays and activities that take place in December, it
was decided to forgo the monthly clinic and focus the attention on
the January clinic. Dr Bennett, the attending veterinarian, was
kept pretty busy on both January clinic days.
Many of the folks who brought their pet in to the
clinic also took advantage of this months’ sale items. Both
Heartguard and Iverhart were offered at half price. All members of
PHS were rewarded with an additional dollar off each dose! Every
month, PHS offers a sale item at the clinic and special discounts on
some items are offered exclusively to members.
For those who care to know:
Spays - 2 cats
1 dog
Neuter - 1 dog
Surgery - 1 cyst removal
1 teeth cleaning
Shots - 4/1 - 1
6/1 - 19
rabies - 16
Mark your calendars for February 19th, the date for the 2nd annual
Fur Ball. This years’ event will take place at The Barefoot Bar.
The word is that a lot of great prizes have already been donated.
Look for prize lists and updates through BTIA and on Facebook. For
those of you who attended last years’ Fur Ball, I know you won't
want to miss this one. For those who didn't attend, don't make the
same mistake twice. We guarantee a good time!
A call for PHS help can come in any number of ways.
Sometimes tourists will alert PHS of a problem. In this story, a
PHS member in Riversdale was notified by some tourists that there
were six starving dogs on Bugle Caye. As soon as it could be
arranged, a boat with four PHS members journeyed to Bugle Caye to
investigate. All six dogs greeted the boat and were soon treated to
some chow from the large bag of dog food that had been brought
along. Although not vicious, the dogs displayed a lot of fear of
humans.
One of the dogs, it was noticed, had fishing line
wrapped around one leg. It had obviously been there for some time
as evidenced by the fact that it was now grown into the skin. The
guys made a makeshift snare, captured the dog and removed the
offending fishing line.
It was later learned that a local fisherman was aware
of the dogs and he would stop and feed them what fish he could spare
whenever he could. These dogs all appear to be adoptable, but
remain at Bugle Caye until homes can be found for them. PHS, of
course, continues to provide food for them at the Caye.
A call came from Hopkins requesting a male for
adoption. One of the males was retrieved from Bugle Caye, and aptly
christened Bugle Boy. He was brought to Placencia pending delivery
to Hopkins. It turns out Bugle Boy should be named Houdini as he
has escaped twice and at this time, is still on the lam. He is of
medium size, reddish brown, longish hair and wearing a blue collar
with about 5 feet of chain attached to it. He will answer to any
name - as long as there's food involved! If you spot him, please
notify PHS.
As of this writing, there are still two females and
three males living on Bugle Caye and waiting for some loving parents
or foster parents. If you can find it in your heart to offer love
and a home to one or more of these dogs, either permanently or as a
foster parent, please call PHS.
Did you know that without a sound, two properly
socialized dogs meeting for the first time can size each other up in
just a few moments. An exchange of glances can tell each canine if
they're going to be friends or enemies.
How can dogs do this without a sophisticated verbal
language? The answer: facial expressions, body language and
posturing. Although dogs signal intent by barks and growls, the
message is not complete without the telegraphy of body and facial
language.
Various parts of the dog's body are involved in this
form of communication. Here is a quick primer in canine body
language.
Facial Expressions
A combination of facial expressions communicate a dog's mood and
intentions that can be understood by other species, including
humans. Here are a few examples of facial communication:
* Relaxed mood: Soft eyes, lit up, looking - but not
staring. Ears forward or flopped, with tips bent over (if
anatomically possible). Mouth open, lips slightly back, giving the
impression of smiling. Tongue hanging limply from the side of the
mouth.
* Anxiety: Eyes glancing sideways or away. Ears to
the side of the head or flopped. Teeth clenched, lips firmly
retracted. Tongue either not evident or lip licking.
* Intimidating: Eyes staring like searchlights.
Ears forward, teeth bared.
* Fearfulness: Eyes looking forward or away, pupils
dialated. Ears pressed back close to the head. Panting/breathing
hard through clenched or slightly open mouth. Jaw tense so that
sinews show in the cheeks.
* Stress: Yawning plus other signs of anxiety or
fearfulness (as above).
Head-Neck Position
* Head down ("hang dog"): Submissive or depression.
* Head in normal mid-way position: Everything is all right.
* Head/neck turned to the side: Deference.
* Head held high, neck craning forward: Interest or, depending
on other signs, a challenge.
* Head resting on other dog's back: Demonstrating dominance.
Torso - Trunk - Upper Limb
* Tensing of muscles and raising of hackles: Threat/imminent
fight.
Gestures
* Play bow - head low, rump elevated: The universal sign of
canine happiness and an invitation to play.
* Paws on top of another dog's back: Dominance.
* Looming over: Dominance.
* Rolling over: Submission/deference
* Urinating by leg lifting: Dominance/defiance
* Urinating by squatting: Deference
Tail Position
* Tail up: Alert, confident, dominant.
* Tail wagging: Dog's energy level is elevated (excited or
agitated)
* Tail held low or tucked: Fearful, submissive.
* Tail held horizontal and wagging slowly: Caution.
* Tail held relaxed and stationary: Contented dog.
There is no one sign that gives away a dog's feelings
but if you consider all the body language signs, you can get a
pretty good idea of what's going on in the dog's head. A dog that
is staring at another dog, his ears pricked and his tail stiff, is
probably conveying dominance, or at least a wish for it.
Sometimes body language signs can be ambivalent,
however. For example, it is not uncommon to observe a dog growling
at another dog while occasionally glancing to the side, backing up,
and with his tail wagging. Such a dog is invariably fearful.
Whenever fear signs are present, fear is in the equation. These
dogs are unpredictable with other dogs and will alter their body
language and behavior according to circumstances. If the opposing
dog retires, they may jump around and "look happy". If the opposing
dog approaches too close, the fearful one may snap or bite.
Owners can help defuse their dog's ambivalence and
uncertainty by taking a strong leadership role. It's amazing how
rapidly a fearful dog's disposition will change when an
authoritative owner steps in and controls the moment. Dogs need
strong leaders
If you
should need to contact PHS or wish to volunteer or become a foster
or forever home to a dog or cat needing a home, please call:
For surgeries, clinic scheduling, or clinic questions, etc., contact
Pat Rarrick @ 610-0522
For Adoptions and general questions contact Mary Smith @ 523-4306
November Clinic Report
by Bob Thomas
The November clinic saw 50 animals come through the door, 24 on
Saturday and 26 on Sunday, keeping Dr Bennet, the attending vet,
pretty busy. For those who care to know, activities at this clinic
included:
Spays
Cats 3
Dogs 1
Neuters
Dogs 1
Cats 1
Surgeries
Teeth cleaning 1
Bot fly removal 1
Abdominal surgery 1
Shots
4/1 (cat) 4
6/1 (dog) 17
Rabies
15
PHS has received a new shipment of Lola's t-shirts and tank tops.
This order included some great new colors and a good selection of
sizes and they arrived in plenty of time for Christmas! They do
make great gifts so if you'd like to order some, you can contact
either Madalon at 523-4091, or Mary Ann at 660-1560.
October Clinic Report
by
Bob Thomas
A
few weeks ago, a picture of two dogs in the village was circulated
to all of PHS members via Email and also on Facebook. It seems
these critters were spotted by some tourists who noticed one had
mange, and neither was neutered. They wanted to identify them so
they could be provided treatment at their expense! Bailey and
Johnny Cake were identified, rounded up and brought to the clinic
where they were neutered, given all their shots and Bailey was
treated for mange. On behalf of Bailey and Johnny Cake and PHS, our
heartfelt thanks to those generous and loving people.
Speaking of puppies let me mention that a box of puppies was
dropped off at Robert's Grove last week. Five adorable "mixed
breeds", four black and one fawn color are in need of homes. Our
thanks go to Shannon Romero for the initial care and housing for
those little guys. Special thanks to Stella Mathews and Linda Tyler
for taking over foster care and welcoming these puppies into their
homes. Remember, these puppies are being fostered. That means
they still need good, permanent, forever homes. Call the number at
the end of this article to learn how one or more of these puppies
could be yours.
PHS
also had four kittens ready for adoption. I'm happy to report that,
Nueve, Barbie, Brutus and Valentine have all found loving homes.
Because these kittens are rescues, neutering and first year shots
are covered by your donations.
Dr
Floyd Bennett was the attending vet for this clinic. Our thanks go
to Robert's Grove for their generosity in hosting Dr Bennett while
he is here.
For
those who wish to know
Spays -
1 cat
Neuter
- 4 dogs
Surgeries
- 1 teeth cleaning
- 1 eye surgery
Shots
- 17 Rabies
- 15 6/1
- 2 4/1
This
month I thought it would be fun to start a series on training you
puppy. Dog training is easy, if you have patience and love.
A new
puppy is always a pleasure to welcome into your home. Those cute
little rascals are friendly, funny, curious as well as mischievous,
however, just like kids; they've got to be introduced to the
guidelines of your home life.
Training your puppy might appear to be an overwhelming undertaking -
where exactly on earth do you begin? Teaching your puppy shouldn't
be demanding or trying. On the contrary, teaching should be a fun
experience for both you and the puppy. Your puppy comes complete
with attitude! For the best results, almost all you need to do is
to teach persistently, calmly and with patience. Here are a few
ideas to get you started.
When
you bring your puppy home, he's bound to be excited and
inquisitive. Everything is brand new to him. If you'll be bringing
him into the house, there could well be a "potty" accident. Don't
flip out and scream at the poor little guy - he doesn't yet know
what is or isn't desirable behavior. Instead, make use of a low,
firm tone of voice, just saying "no" and get him outside. Of
course, the bad action has already happened, but if you don't
terrify him with screaming and yelling, he will quickly come to
understand "going outside" as a people pleaser. Get the idea?
On the
list of puppies greatest attributes is their strong desire to want
to please you. Always keep this simple fact in mind as
you get started training your puppy. He intuitively regards you as
the master within this relationship - unless you provide your puppy
reasons to believe otherwise.
Never
use a heavy-handed method while educating your puppy. If you do, he
may become stubborn or even frightened of you and less ready to
learn. Being very calm during this early time period reduces both
your stress and the puppies and makes new lessons like "sit", "stay"
and "heel" much easier on the both of you.
Giving
encouragement for the right behavior is much like a ray of sunshine
in your puppy's mind. Because of his strong desire to satisfy, he
will learn to understand what correct behavior is and bask happily
in your praise. If he seems a little slow at learning, remained
determined. He'll understand sooner or later. Along the way,
you'll notice your puppy paying closer attention to your wishes,
simply for the pure joy of hearing your praise.
For the
first few days, allow your puppy to discover, so he gets accustomed
to your household. Training should always include just keeping a
sharp eye on your puppy. "Bad" behavior should be discouraged with
a sharp "no". Don't use the puppy's name when you scold because you
don't want the puppy to associate it's name with scolding. Also,
never strike your puppy with your hand because this will only cause
the puppy to fear you and fear is not a good teaching aid when it
comes to commands like "come". The important part is to always keep
your cool be patient and be consistent.
Once your puppy knows all of those "bad" offences, training him to
sit will become fairly easy. With a doggy treat in hand, press his
behind down while saying "sit". Sitting is
natural to a puppy, but he will surely love the treat and the praise
while learning this easy command.
Next
month we'll teach our puppy some new commands like "come" and
"stay".
Christmas is right around the corner. If you are considering a
puppy as a holiday gift, please contact PHS to adopt one of our
adorable puppies! They are healthy, in training, and need loving
forever homes.
If
you should need to contact PHS please call;
For
surgeries, clinic scheduling, or clinic questions, etc., contact Pat
Rarrick @ 610-0522
For
Adoptions and general questions contact Mary Smith @ 523-4306
September Clinic Report
by Bob Thomas
It was no surprise that the
September clinic was a slow one. It is the time of the year when
locals tend to leave for vacation and tourists dwindle to a few.
For those who required vet care for their pet, Dr Figueroa, this
month’s attending vet, was there to serve. Thanks once again, to
Robert’s Grove for their generosity in hosting our vet and his
family.
For those who care to know
this month’s statistics are:
Cat - 1 Spay
1 neuter
4/1 - 8
6/1 - 24
Rabies - 1
______________________________________________________
The current Board of
Directors will be absolved on October 27, 2010. According to the
bylaws, every year the seats of the Board will be up for nomination
and election by the membership of PHS. A notice was sent to all
current members and nominations for the board were received through
October 4, 2010. There will be a meeting on October 27, 2010, 10
AM, at the Jaguar Lanes in Maya Beach for the purpose of electing
the new Board of Directors. If you are a current member of PHS you
are strongly encouraged to vote. If you are not a member of PHS we
strongly encourage you to join so that your voice may also be
heard. New memberships are accepted at any time and will be
accepted at the meeting.
______________________________________________________
It's almost time for the
annual PHS Flea Market! Looks like it will take place
on November 6, 2010 on the basketball court in Placencia Village.
Look for flyers to announce the final time and date. Donations are
currently being sought. If you have any sale-able items, including
wearable clothing, gadgets, linens, dishes, nothing is too big or
too small! You can arrange to have your donations dropped off or
picked up at any of the following locations;
Riversdale - Pat Rarrick
610-0522
Plantation/Maya Beach -
Jacque Fuller 628-0992
Siene Bight - Madalon
Richardson 523-4091
Placencia Village - Penny
Dial 523-3209
_______________________________________________________
I was looking for a topic to
write about this month when someone asked me "what is normal"?
I suppose this could be considered a rather humorous question based
on all the people and places I've met and been to while living here
in Belize, and by the person who is writing this article.
But let me pose the same
question a little differently and I think you'll see where I'm going
with this. What is normal health and behavior for your pet?
Sooner or later we will all
have to deal with illness in our pet. Often, just recognizing that
something is wrong or different early enough can save a life. So
what is normal for your pet? By definition, normal is
an adjective that means, conforming to, adhering to or constituting
a norm, standard, pattern, level or type. By knowing what's normal
in your pet, such as body temperature, heart rate and respiratory
rate, you can better tell if medical care is called for. You might
consider doing these easy tests and jotting down the results so
you'll know your pets "normal" is.
Body Temperature
The body temperature of dogs
and cats is taken rectally. The normal body temperature for
dogs and cats is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the
temperature is less than 99 or over 104, contact the vet
immediately. If you are uncomfortable taking your pets temperature,
ask the vet to take it for you and show you how the next time you're
at clinic. Make a note on their records of their normal
temperature when your pet healthy.
Mucous Membrane
Color
This one sounds technical,
but actually the most common mucous membrane to exam is the gums.
The color of the gums is a good indicator if something is wrong.
The normal gum color is pink. If your pet has pigmented
gums, turning out the eyelid can also give you the color indicator.
Pale, white, blue or yellow gums are cause for concern and you
should contact the vet immediately.
Capillary Refill
Time
Here's a simple method of
assessing blood circulation in your pet. Briefly apply pressure to
the gums and release. The area should whiten and rapidly return to
the normal pink color. Normal refill time is 1 to 2
seconds. If the refill time is less than 1 second or over 3
seconds, immediate vet care is recommended. To practice this test,
you can do it on yourself. Press down on the tip of your
fingernail. The pink skin underneath the nail will turn white.
When you release the fingertip, the color rapidly returns to
normal.
Heart Rate
You can feel your pet's
heartbeat on the left side of the chest at the area where a raised
elbow will touch the chest. It's best if your pet is calm and
quiet. Place your hand over this area of the chest and feel for a
heartbeat. You can also use a stethoscope if one is available.
Count the number of heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply that
number by 4. Be aware that a dog's heartbeat will normally slow
down and speed up with each breath.
Another heart rate test is
to determine your pets pulse rate. The easiest pulse to feel is the
pulse associated with the femoral artery, which is best felt inside
the back leg in the groin area. Place your first two fingers up
high on the inside of your pet's thigh. Slowly feel the area until
you can detect a pulse. This may take a little practice or even
some guidance from the vet at the next clinic.
For dogs, a normal
heartbeat varies on size:
Small dogs and puppies
normally have heart rates of 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Dogs over 30 pounds have
heart rates of 60 to 120. The larger the dog, the slower the
normal heart rate.
Respiratory Rate
Counting the number of
breaths per minute and determining the breathing pattern can be very
important in an emergency. Count the number of breaths your pet
takes in one minute. A good time to do this test is when your pet
is sleeping. Normal respiratory rates:
For dogs, 10 to 30 breaths
per minute. (When panting, normal can be up to 200 pants per
minute.)
Determining the breathing
pattern is also important. In a normal breath, the chest
expands as the breath enters the chest. The chest then sinks as the
breath leaves the chest.
Exhaling requires no
effort. If you notice your pet using abdominal muscles to breath,
gasping, making loud noises, taking shallow breaths, panting
excessively. or exhaling seems difficult, consult the vet.
You might have noticed that
I used "consult your vet" whenever the test conditions seem not
normal. It might seem like a great idea to simply contact PHS
to find out how to treat your pet. Keep in mind that PHS cannot
diagnose, prescribe medications for, or treat your pet. What PHS
can do is to work with the vets to help provide treatment as
prescribed by the vet. If you pets in trouble, save the time by
calling the vet first. I f you need to contact PHS please call:
For surgeries, clinic
scheduling, or clinic questions, etc., contact Pat Rarrick @
610-0522 For Adoptions and general questions contact Pam Thomas @
629-3599
_______________________________________________________
AUGUST CLINIC REPORT
by Bob Thomas
August was quite a month for PHS. We are thrilled to announce the
acquisition of land for a permanent PHS Clinic location. Doug and
Madalon Richardson have donated a portion of their land at Bahia
Laguna for this cause. Look forward to a ground breaking
celebration in the near future.
The regular clinic took place at the Placencia Community Center on
the 21st and 22nd but there was plenty more scheduled to keep Dr.
Floyd Bennett busy. He arrived at Robert's Grove on Wednesday
evening and was up bright and early on Thursday morning for the
Monkey River Clinic. Friday was to be one of two feral cat days,
but a family emergency at Feral Cat headquarters caused it to be
cancelled. Monday’s feral clinic went off without a hitch and a
dozen cats were trapped, treated and "fixed". Big thanks to
Robert's Grove for hosting Dr Bennett, and to Cat and Dale
Harshbarger for their support of the feral cat program.
For those who like to know:
Dogs spay - 4
Dogs neutered - 1
Cats spay - 6 (feral)
Cats neutered - 3 @ clinic and 6 (feral)
Rabies Shots- 13
Note: the above does not include the Monkey River Clinic. See
separate article.
The August clinic featured Capstar for Fleas to all current PHS
member as well as the "Rescued is our Favorite Breed" tank tops for
just $25, while they last. We still have a few of these left, so
get them while you can.
Feral cats and feral cat programs are still an area of controversy.
Some are in favor of Trap-Neuter-Return or TNR while others feel
killing is the best solution. In this article, I would like to
discuss feral cats and the benefits of Trap-Neuter-Release
.
Feral cats have been living outside in close proximity to humans for
over 10,000 years. Feral cats choose to resie in locations for two
reasons: one, there is a food source, intended or not, and two,
there is shelter. Feral cats are members of the domestic cat
species, but are not socialized to humans and are therefore
generally unadoptable. Feral cats lead healthy, natural lives on
their own, content in their outdoor home.
Catching and killing feral cats is animal control's traditional
approach for feral cats. Catch and kill attempts may temporarily
reduce the number of feral cats in a given area, but two things
happen: intact survivors continue to breed, and other cats move into
the now-available territory. This is a phenomenon known as the
vacuum effect, and it is documented worldwide. 
Animal control agencies have been catching and killing cats for
decades in a misguided attempt to reduce the number of feral cats in
a given area. They continue to practice catch and kill even though
the number of outdoor cats does not decrease, proving the futility
of these practices.
The TNR program does work. This program involves humanely trapping,
spaying or neutering, vaccinating, and returning the cats to their
original locations. To help identify these cats in the future, one
ear is notched. With their return, they produce no more kittens and
the population stabilizes. The returned neutered cats also benefit
with improved lives because behaviors and stress associated with
pregnancy and mating, such as yowling and fighting, stop. Not only
does Trap-Neuter-Release make good sense, it is also a responsible
and humane method of care for outdoor cats
.
In some cases, feral kittens are brought into the program.
Remember, these are domestic cats that where born in the wild. The
kittens make excellent pets and are usually offered for adoption.
But what about the time between capture and adoption? That's when
foster care becomes important.
For many animal lovers, the idea of fostering a pet can be scary.
To take on all the responsibility, put in all the work, time, energy
and love, just to have to say goodbye - it can be extremely
difficult. There is no doubt that fostering a homeless cat or dog is
an emotional experience. What people don't know, however, is that
there are also many wonderful, unique experiences associated with
becoming a foster owner. In fact, for the right person, having a
foster pet can be one of the most enjoyable and satisfying ways to
interact with the animal world.
Foster homes are needed because there is no other place to provide
for homeless animals. These adoptable pets can be sick, injured, or
simply too young to be adopted. As you can imagine, these animals
require more care and attention than your average pet. For some,
this can be too much to handle, while for others, caring for
especially needy animals can be extremely gratifying.
The whole idea behind foster programs is to nurse animals like this
back to health so they can be adopted out to a "forever"
home. PHS
will cover the costs of any veterinary care and food for the foster
animal: therefore the role of the foster owner is not to provide
financial support, but rather to provide love and patience necessary
for the animal to thrive. By the time the foster pet is ready for
permanent owners, it will not only be in good health, but also will
have learned to love and trust humans. The later is often the
biggest impact a foster owner can make in an animals life.
If
this sort of relationship is one that you think you may be
interested in, contact PHS to learn more.
If you need to contact PHS please call:
For surgeries scheduling etc, contact - Pat Rarrick 610-0522
Rescues and adoptions contact - Pam Thomas 629-3599
or Shannon Romero 600-2473
______________________________________________________
Monkey River - More than Howler Monkeys!!
August, 2010
By: Pam Thomas
The
Placencia Humane Society hosted a clinic for the pets of Monkey
River in August. Dr Floyd Bennet is well known to the people there,
having done clinics there in the past. Our volunteers, Patty
Garlock, Ray and Carol Lim, and Bob and Pam Thomas, met Dr. Bennett
bright and early at the dock at Robert's Grove to await the boat
that would take us all to Monkey River.
The cars
were unloaded and all the necessary clinic supplies were gathered at
the dock. Right on time, a boat could be heard approaching from the
Lagoon. Our ride, captained by Winsley Garbutt of Monkey River, had
arrived. With introductions completed and the boat loaded we left
the dock and began our journey.
The trip
by water from Placencia to Monkey River was a five star ride. Once
through the open water of the Lagoon, the boat zipped into the
mangroves, finding open channels that would first be hidden from our
inexperienced eyes. Around every turn there were birds or awesome
views and I noticed we all had smiles on our faces after the ride.
For me, it was all too soon that we arrived at our first house
call. For the folks who live in Monkey River and would normally
have to bring their pets all the way to the Placencia clinics, it
was a real treat to have Dr Bennett visit them instead.
 While
at one of the house calls, it was brought to our attention that
there was a neighbor’s dog that appeared to have mange. The dog was
rounded up and brought in for an exam. Mange it was and since the
owners had no means to pay, PHS picked up the tab for the meds.
Mange is highly contagious, and we felt we should treat the dog so
the other dogs nearby would not catch it.
House
calls completed we are dropped ashore at the Monkey River Village
docks. From there, we made our way to the village health clinic and
started to prepare for our first visitors. That's when we met
Cassidy, a Peace Corp volunteer teaching school there. Dr Bennett
said that we needed a table and next thing we know, Cassidy has half
the little girls in the village helping her round up tables and
anything else we needed. They were such a huge help!
As word
got around that the Vet had arrived, the dogs started to arrive.
All in all, thirteen dogs were examined and received their shots.
We were assured that every dog in the village had been seen and
indeed, Cassidy and
Bob walked around the village going door to door
to personally invite all the dogs and cats. I have to admit that I
was wondering about the cats when finally, late in the clinic,
"Winston" the cat was brought in for his shots. Although not
certain, I believe I heard that this is the only cat in the
village.
After a
long day behind us, we found Winsley waiting at the dock to take us
home. While there, I learned that Monkey River was once a very
popular beach destination for Belizeans, rivalling Placencia. After
spending the day there, I can understand why. I have to say that
the people of Monkey River were friendly, gracious and a pleasure to
mingle with and the the beaches are gorgeous!
 To
make this clinic happen, Sue Harris of Steppingstones Resort in
Monkey River coordinated the house calls, the clinic in Monkey
River, and paid for the boat transportation from Placencia to Monkey
River. Placencia Humane Society donated the Rabies, 6/1 and 4/1
vaccines and Dr Bennet donated his time. An added benefit at this
clinic was in finding a volunteer who is willing to take on the task
of teaching the "Be Kind Belize" program to the children of Monkey
River. Thank you Cassidy for all you help, past and future. Thank
you to our guide and boat captain Winsley Garbutt for a most
enjoyable and professional boating experience.
For me it
was driven home once again that one of the best parts of being a
volunteer with PHS is, with their pets, we meet some terrific
people. Many thanks to all those who helped!
_______________________________________________________
JULY CLINIC REPORT
by Bob Thomas
Wow, here it is, July already. Although many folks are away at this
time of the year, there's always a need for our monthly veterinary
clinics. It was really nice to see Dr Figueroa this month. Dr
"Fig" doesn't get to Placencia very often any more but we always
appreciate his services when he does. He and his family were hosted
by Robert's Grove for the weekend. Let me take a moment, on behalf
of PHS, to express our appreciation and gratitude to Risa and Robert
Frackman, Robert's Grove, for your support and generosity!
Assisting Dr. Figueroa is Veterinary Technician Ms.
Dorcus Lampella
For those who like to know, the statistics for the July Clinic are:
Spays - 2 dogs
Neuters - 2 dogs
4/1 (cat vaccinations) - 3
6/1 (dog vaccinations) - 15
Rabies - 9
Memberships
New individual - 3
Family renewal - 2
Junior renewal - 1
Building Fund Donations - $175.00
Total people served - Saturday 28
Sunday 25
Many of you are taking advantage of the clinics by doing a little
pet shopping for everything from pet medications to leashes and
collars, pet treats and toys, and even pet pillows! There will
always be some special sale going for current members. For
instance, in July, Advantix (for cats) was offered at a great
discount. Another Summer Special offers the Humane Society "Recued
is my Favorite Breed" tank tops for only $25 (while they last!).
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
In the last two months, I've noticed an unusual number of pets
coming to clinic with skin or coat issues of one form or fashion.
Curious as to why the increase, I consulted Dr "Fig" and learned
that there is currently a very high level of mange in Belize. Let
me share what I’ve learned about mange and its' treatment.
Mange is a common skin condition that can cause a lot of discomfort
for your pet. Although there are several types of mange, they are
all caused by a specific type of mite. These mites are so tiny,
they can only be seen with a microscope. Mange will not go away on
its' own. It's important to know the tell tale signs of mange,
because they are the only indication that a problem exists.
_______________________________________________________
JUNE CLINIC REPORT
by Bob Thomas
In June, this peninsula shifts gears and all thoughts focus on
Lobsterfest! It was no surprise then, that the June Clinic was a
rather relaxed one. It provided some time to reflect on some of the
questions that are frequently asked and sometimes difficult to
answer when the clinic is busy. Each month, this platform will try
to address a different matter of interest.
Dr Floyd Bennet was the attending vet again this month. Elsie
Elder a past volunteer for PHS was visiting this month and again
assisted Dr. Bennett as she did for many years.. For those
who like to know, the June Clinics Statistics are:
Spays - 1 cat
Neuters - 2 dogs
Dental Procedures - 4
4/1 shots - 2
6/1 shots - 22
Rabies - 11
Memberships - 1 Patron
Total people served - Sat 13
Sun 17
An often difficult decision for pet owners is whether to spay or
neuter their pet. Concerns range from, "Will my pet get fat and
lazy"', to "I don't want my male dog or cat to feel less like a
male". Well, why should you spay or neuter. Simply put, pet health
and over population are the two main reasons. Let's address over
population first. Consider these statistics as to how just one
litter can result in hundreds to thousands of unwanted pets.
The Prolific Cat
1st year 3 litters = 12 offspring
2nd year 144 offspring
3rd year 1,728 offspring
4th year 10,736 offspring
7th year 324,192 offspring
The Prolific Dog
1st year 4 offspring with 2 females
2nd year 12 offspring
3rd year 36 offspring
5th year 324 offspring
While you digest those staggering numbers, let's look at the
benefits spay/neuter has on your pet. Spaying/neutering helps dogs
and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating or
reducing health problems that can be both very expensive and often
fatal. Spaying your female pet before she goes into heat the first
time reduces the risk of breast cancer and eliminates the risk of
uterine and ovarian cancer in your dog. Neutered males will not
developer testicular cancer and their risk of prostrate cancer is
greatly reduced.
Spaying/neutering you pet has benefits for you pet owners too.
Spayed/neutered pets are, typically, better behaved and more calm.
Male cats are less likely to spray urine and mark their territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle, thereby eliminating
bleeding, and the incessant crying and nervous behaviour that often
accompanies the heat cycle. Neutering decreases the pets desire to
escape and wander the neighbourhood in search of a mate. This
decreases the risk of fights, and death caused by getting hit by
cars. Spaying keeps unwanted males away.
Remember those "concerns" I mentioned at the beginning of this
article? Here are several that we
often hear.
My pet will get fat and lazy. The
truth is, pets get fat and lazy due to over feeding and lack of
exercises.
It's better to have just one litter first.
Medical evidence suggests just the opposite. Females spayed before
the first heat are typically healthier.
The children should experience the miracle of birth.
It is unlikely that the children will see a pet give birth, since it
usually occurs at night and in seclusion. Perhaps it would be
better to explain to the children that sometimes the miracle of life
is that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of many
more.
But my pet is a purebred.
So is about one out of four pets brought to animal shelters. There
are just too many dogs and cats - mixed and purebred alike.
I want my dog to be protective.
Spaying or neutering does not effect a dog's natural instinct to
protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by
genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
I don't want my male dog or cat to fell less like a male.
Pets have no concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not
change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of
emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
My pet is so special that I want a puppy/kitten just like him/her.
A dog or cat may be the world's best pet, but that doesn't mean her
offspring will be anything like her. The truth is, an entire litter
might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
It is too expensive to have my pet spay or neutered.
Whatever the actual price, it is a one-time cost. It's a relatively
small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a real bargain
compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of
the mother and the litter; two months of pregnancy and another two
months until the litter is weaned can add up in cost and
aggravation.
I'll find a good home for all the puppies and kittens.
You just may. But each home that takes one is one less home for
dogs that already need a home.
Overpopulation starts one litter at a time.
The Placencia Humane Society is here to help those who might not be
able to afford the entire cost of the spay or neuter procedure.
If you need to contact PHS please call;
For surgeries, scheduling etc contact Pat Rarrick @
610-0522
Rescues and adoptions etc. contact Mary Smith @ 523-4306
___________________________________________________
MAY CLINIC REPORT
by Bob
Thomas
The Placencia Humane Society, and Dr Floyd Bennet, assisted by
Dorcus Lampella, hosted a
successful May clinic at the Community Center in Placencia. Maddie
was there to greet everyone, get the paperwork going and answer any
questions as the pets and there owners began to arrive. And arrive
they did! For those of you who just have to know, here's some of
what we
 did:
Cat
Neuters - 3
Cat Spay - 5
Dog Spay - 2
Teeth Cleaning - 3
Rabies - 27
6/1 - 24
4/1 – 9
Special guest of PHS this month, 6 feral cats were spay/neutered,
bringing the total to 73 cats since the start of the Feral Cat
Program last October. The donations made to this program are
utilized for this service. It is nice to get this program back on
track after suffering a setback last month when Pat Rarrick, the
head of the program resigned unexpectedly. Her services as the
Clinic Coordinator and head of the Feral Cat Program will be sorely
missed. Special thanks to Debbie Coston and Shannon Romero for
their help in trapping and delivering this month’s felines.
It's the members and volunteers who are PHS. Some help at
clinics, others help with donations of their time or materials.
A call was recently put out for pillows, sheets and towels.
The sheets and towels are used at the clinics for every imaginable
purpose. The pillows will become stuffing in the new Dog
Pillows (Coming soon!). Special thanks to Blue Crab, Toucan Lulu and Graham Berrie for
answering that call. And remember, PHS can always use more. Drop
them off at clinic or contact a PHS for pickup. A special thanks to
Jodie and Erin for the kennel they donated.
Every month there will be a clinic special for current members of
PHS. This month it was 1/2 price Heart Guard Plus. Many of you
took advantage of the special and 14 new or renewed memberships were
purchased so that they could take advantage too. Other membership
benefits include; complementary pet pedicure at monthly clinics,
free Tropic Air emergency pet transportation to Belize City for
veterinary care (some restrictions apply), and email updates for PHS
info and events, adoption email updates. So if you're not a member,
maybe it's time you joined?
Everyone has been talking about how bad the fleas are lately. I
noticed many of the clinic patients were there for skin issues and
"sore spots", or just because of fleas. Hot spots on dogs and cats
are usually self inflicted sores that are red, wet and painful.
Dogs and cats will start scratching because of fleas, bug bites, or
allergies and open the skin to bacteria, which grows, spreads and a
hot spot develops These spots can become very large and grow quite
quickly.
Remember, pets with hot spots have another condition that started
the itching to begin with. The original problem needs to be dealt
with. If fleas are the culprit then a flea preventative needs to be
started. Something like Front line or similar products might work.
After treating the cause, the hot spot itself should be addressed.
An effective "home remedy" would be to mix 1/3 Listerine, 1/3
coconut oil and 1/3 water in a spray bottle. Spray on affected
area. In a severe case, infection is a serious danger and
veterinarian should be consulted.
A
special thanks to all the clinic volunteers and especially our
Junior Volunteers, Evelyn and Kimberly from Seine Bight. Thank you
Robert’s Grove for you generously hosting Dr. Bennet this month.
If
you need to contact PHS please call:
Pat Rarrick
610-0522 (surgery scheduling etc)
Shannon Romero 600-2473 (rescues and adoptions)
Please
contact us if you need additional information about PHS, or,
see the following pages:
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