Summer Hours Updates

Hello Broadway clients,

Firstly, we would like to thank you all for your patience, understanding, and kindness throughout this changing COVID-19 climate. To say it has taken a toll on our staff, our hospital, our community, and our pets at home would be an understatement. We are grateful everyday to be able to help you and care for your family’s pets.

We have a few announcements that we would like to share, namely in regards to our upcoming summer schedule.

We have made the difficult decision to close on Saturdays again. Our hours, starting the week of May 17th, will be: Monday and Friday 8am-5pm, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8am-6pm. Please know that we did not make this decision lightly as we want to be available for your pets in their time of need, but we feel at this time that it will be the best decision for our hospital to ensure that we are giving your pets the time and attention that they (and you!) deserve when they are in our care. We expect these hours throughout the duration of the summer, potentially continuing into the fall months.

As there has been a significant increase in sick visits, critical cases, requests for appointments, and new clients moving to the area we are hoping that our new schedule will allot more time for patients in need, while also serving our regularly scheduled patients in a more timely manner and decreasing wait times for those with scheduled appointments.

With that being said, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday’s from 11am-5:00pm we will be accepting all urgent and emergency calls that come through the office. These visits may take longer based on the urgency of appointments that come in (just like a human emergency room).

Additionally, we are in the process of switching medical software programs. This means that our patient portal will be updated in July to a newer system. The goal for this is to develop more clear communication between our staff and you, allow you access to your pets records at any time, allow you to place refill requests through our app instead of waiting on the phone, and bring back the ability to schedule appointments online! Please stay tuned for more information on this.

Our ultimate goal is to serve this wonderful community and ensure that your pets are healthy and cared for. Thank you for trusting us and supporting us while we continue to grow and develop better ways to increase our knowledge, efficiency, and ability to practice the best medicine for you and your animals.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to respond to this email and we will address them as best as we can.

Thank you, as always. – BAH Management and Staff

December COVID-19 Update

As this pandemic progresses, we promised to keep you informed on how we are handling changing demands and CDC recommendations in order to keep our staff, clients, and business running as smoothly as possible. Here are some of those updates.

Our hours are changing:

• Starting the week of 12/14, we will be open Monday through Friday 8-5 pm.
• We will be closed on Saturdays for the foreseeable future.
• Every other Thursday from 12-2:30 pm we will be closed for a staff meeting.
• As we train new staff members and get through flu season, we anticipate to eventually be open later during the week to accommodate those who are unable to make it in during our regular business hours. We will keep you updated when that changes.

At this time, we are not accepting any new clients. We do anticipate this to change in the future, but we want to focus our efforts on keeping our established patients cared for and healthy.

Wellness examinations and elective appointments are being booked out further than usual, currently around 5-7 weeks.

We are still running a curbside service. Pets are taken inside for examinations by a member of our staff, and communication with the doctor is done over the phone. When interacting with a member of our staff, masks are required (even if you are in your car). If you do not wear a mask, we cannot help you, unfortunately.

Phone lines and email communication are busier and wait times are longer due to the increased demand for appointments and services.

Some upcoming changes include the ability to check-in at the front desk again. We have installed plexiglass at the reception counter and equipped our staff with appropriate PPE to keep our front staff, and you, safe. Only one person will be allowed in the lobby at a time, and masks and the use of hand sanitizer will be required.

As always, if you have questions please don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email.

We do hope that this pandemic will end soon, as we miss seeing you all inside and bonding over your pets. Let’s keep doing our part as a community to end the spread of COVID-19.

Thank you for your understanding.

-BAH Doctors and Staff

October COVID-19 Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospital has changed some protocols for how we are running our business. We will remain open during normal business hours, however the process for bringing your pets in for exams and treatments has changed.

Unfortunately at this time our lobby is still closed, and you will be unable to come into the hospital with your pet for their exam or services (don’t worry however, they are in very good hands with our staff!). The doctor will examine your pet and give you a call to discuss exam findings and recommendations.

• For checking in for appointments, park in the lot and read the posted signs in front of your car. Make note of what spot you are in, and see the staff member at the front door. Make sure to wear your mask and remain 6 feet apart from our staff and other clients.
• For picking up medications or prescription diets, please call the front desk and we will bring them out to your car.

We will let you know of any other changes, and when we are ready to open our doors back up. We do miss seeing you all inside and bonding over your pets, but we appreciate your understanding and effort in keeping you, our staff, and our doctors safe and healthy.

Wait times are still extended due to the increased sanitation protocols and the appointment process taking longer than usual, as well as allotting for staff members staying home due to illness. Please know that we are doing everything that we can to communicate and get back to you within a timely manner.

If you are sick or showing any symptoms of COVID-19, please reschedule your appointment until you are well. This is for the safety of everyone. See the previous update for more information on how we are being affected.

Thank you for your continued support and patience,

BAH Staff

COVID-19 Update

Due to the current situation facing our nation, Broadway Animal Hospital would like to make you aware of our efforts to keep our clients and staff safe. At this time our hospital will remain open during normal business hours. We have instituted the following policies to try to limit the impact that COVID-19 will have:

BAH management

March is Poison Prevention Month

With spring approaching comes spring cleaning, which can expose your pet to household toxins that may not have been available throughout the rest of the year. This March, we are going to go over some common toxins and what issues they can cause for your pet.

While you are cleaning make sure to keep bleach, Lysol, and laundry detergent out of your animals reach. Some other things to consider are,

• Tylenol and Ibuprofen (can cause liver failure). We NEVER recommend giving these to your pet. If you think that they are painful, please have them evaluated by a doctor to get pet safe pain medication.
• Human medications (can cause GI issues, liver or kidney damage, and neurological issues). This includes topical medications that can be licked off of your skin.
• Gorilla Glue (can cause GI issues that lead to emergency surgery or death).
• Old bait, especially if it has fish hooks still in it (can cause GI issues or lacerations that lead to emergency surgery or death)
• Batteries (can cause GI issues that lead to emergency surgery or death)
• Mulch or fertilizer (can cause GI issues, heart issues, or neurological problems)

Oral care is so important in our pets lives. If you’ve ever had swollen gums, sensitive teeth, or an infected tooth you can understand the pain. For pets, it’s even more stressful because they can’t let us know that they are in pain or need their teeth cleaned.

Trust us, we know that brushing your pets teeth can seem like a daunting task if they do not like to be handled. Check out https://broadwayanimal.org/videos/brushing-your-cats-teeth/ for instructions and tips on how to brush your cats teeth. We also have an informational 4-step flier at the bottom of this newsletter for how to get your pet acclimated to their toothbrush.

Dental diets and treats can help keep your pets teeth sparkly and clean. At Broadway, we offer prescription dental diets by Hill’s and Royal Canin. For more information on those visit Hillspet.com or Royalcanin.com

Happy New Years from all of us at Broadway!

As we start the new year and the new decade, we would just like to say thank you for your continued support and patronage. At Broadway, we really do love our clients and patients and think of them as part of our team and our family. We are so happy to be doing what we do, and are grateful to our community for helping us continue to care for pets and thrive.

Our resolutions for the year include seeing more new clients and patients, expanding and improving our medical knowledge and services, and being more involved in the community.

• Old dresser drawers can be turned into comfy pet beds for smaller animals,
• Old, clean tires can be given to dogs (under supervision) who are tough chewers,
• Empty water bottles make a great chew toy for dogs before they get recycled,
• Old t shirts, denim, or kitchen towels can be cut up and braided together as a rope toy,
• Tying shoe laces to sticks and attaching a piece of fabric or a spare feather to the end makes for an easy and fun toy for your cat,
• Filling old bottles with treats and poke a few holes to make a puzzle toy for small pets,
• Using a large old plastic tote to create an outside cat shelter for local strays.

Let us know how you help decrease your environmental footprint and repurpose old household items into toys!

Looking to automate your life and never miss a delivery of your pets prescription food or medicine? Check out our online store to see what products are available for us to ship straight to your home!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Broadway!

We are overjoyed to be celebrating another holiday season this year, and are especially grateful to have clients and patients who make our jobs so special. With that being said, we are here to educate on some of the top concerns and dangers of the holidays, and how to prevent making an emergency trip to see us!

Decorations and holiday snacks are festive and fun to have in the home, but can present some serious concerns for too-curious critters. Some things to take extra care to secure properly (or avoid altogether) include:

• Glass ornaments on the christmas tree
• Light cords or festive display equipment
• Mistletoe
• Chocolate and candies
• Small children toys
• Christmas lilies, poinsettia and cacti
• Candles and open flames
• Strong odors and essential oils (primarily dangerous for birds)

Refer to last month’s Newsletter for a list of holiday foods that can present as toxins to your pet as well! Pancreatitis and foreign ingestion are the top medical issues that we see around this time of year, and are both preventable illnesses.

As with any holiday season, there will be traveling to and from family and friends homes for celebrations. We want to encourage smart pet ownership at this time, taking into account whether the location and situation will be safe and appropriate for your pet. If you believe that they will be happy and comfortable, then travel smart and efficient! Always make sure to bring,

• A copy of your pets recent vaccines or medical records
• A few days worth of extra food, treats, and water
• Water and food dishes
• Any medications your pet is on (make sure to get them refilled early!)
• A bed, blanket, or comfort item (also a crate, if they use one)
• Their favorite toy

Reach out to us if your pet struggles with holiday anxiety and let’s talk about ways to minimize that so that everyone can enjoy the season in comfort. This also includes the stress that comes with New Years celebrations.

As always, our accredited doctors and staff are happy to assist in the process of getting a health certificate for airline or intrastate travel. Take a look on the APHIS website for pet travel to find the specific requirements* to travel with your pets, and let us know how we can be of service to make that go as smoothly as possible.

*Please note, our doctors have been advised not to sign any airline forms for emotional service animals. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Finally, we want to wish you all a very happy New Year and a fantastic start to a brand new decade! We have many goals that we hope to achieve in the coming year, and we are happy that we have our clients and patients along for the ride. We strive to continuously learn, grow, and educate to be the best hospital that we can be for our community. Let’s take on 2020 together.

Adopt-A-Senior Month

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! Get them out of a shelter or foster home and into your loving home for the holidays. Provide them with a warm and comforting place to live out their dog days, and get so much love and gratitude in return!

Dr. Folden’s senior girl, Possum (right), loves to hang out with the receptionists and snooze all day.

A few great places to look to start your adoption process is the Humboldt County Shelter or Sequoia Humane Society. They have dogs, cats, and many more types of animals available for adoption.

Puppies, adults, and seniors need different types of care. As puppies, wellness exams, fecal tests, starting flea/tick and heartworm prevention, and vaccinations are the primary source of medical treatment. As adults, boostering vaccines and staying current on preventatives are the key. Routine blood work sets a great baseline for when your pet starts to age further, allowing your vet to look for any changes that may be indicative of future problems. As your pet gets to their senior years, it is extremely beneficial to have them evaluated regularly by their veterinarian. Not only will they perform a full physical exam to look for any new growths or masses on your pets skin, but this will provide an opportunity to look for otherwise hidden arthritic or joint pain and do blood work to check for properly functioning organs.

Managing your older pets pain can be difficult. There are so many products on the market that are sold to alleviate pain it can be hard to know where to start or what to trust. Luckily, our veterinarians have your back. They are well versed in the topic of pain control and have experience with laser therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, and pharmaceutical options. They will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan to keep your furbabies as healthy and pain free as possible during their lifetimes.

The holidays are a time for sharing meals and memories with our close family and friends. It is NOT the time for sharing a meal with your pets. Some holiday foods to avoid giving your pet include:

Happy Almost Howl-oween!

The fall season is upon us, and that means colder weather, longer nights, and less time spent outdoors.

Keeping your pet stimulated while indoors is tremendously important for their health and well being. No one likes to be cooped up indoors and bored all day! For dogs, mental stimulation can be tough. Encourage your pet to play and challenge their brain with interactive toys like Kong’s, treat toys, or puzzle toys. For cats, invest in a laser pointer or dangling toy that allows them to chase around their “prey” and get exercise. More ideas can be found in our pet health library at https://broadwayanimal.org/client-resources/pet-health/articles/?rid=14921.

Chocolate toxicity is a serious concern around Halloween. Kids go out trick or treating, eat a bunch of candy, have a sugar rush, and then pass out cold from the crash. This is the perfect time for your pet to sneak into that bag and grab a snack for themselves. If chocolate is ingested by your dog or cat, we recommend that you contact the ASPCA (poison control center for pets) right away to determine what to do. There is a $65 consultation fee to speak with a specialist, but they will be able to give you advice on how to prevent further damage or advise you to take your pet to the emergency vet. Some signs of chocolate toxicity include, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, hyper activity, or excessive thirst. For more information, take a look at the article on our website (https://broadwayanimal.org/client-resources/pet-health/articles/?rid=537), or from the ASPCA’s Valentine’s day info (https://www.aspca.org/news/chocolate-covered-hazard-what-do-if-your-pet-eats-valentines-day-treat).

As September rolls around it is a reminder that fall is quickly approaching, which means the cold weather and rain are soon to be here too. Although we are looking forward to cold nights spent at home and lush green landscape from the rain, we are enjoying the last few days of our summer season. September has two topics of the month that we would like to highlight: Animal Pain Awareness and Disaster Preparedness. Although they are two separate topics, they are both tremendously important in helping your pets live long, healthy, and safe lives. 

Pets experience pain too. Recognizing the signs of pain, whether obvious or hidden, is essential to being able to manage how your companion is feeling and ensure that they are living their best lives. Pain comes in many forms for pets, including broken bones, urinary tract infections (UTI), dental disease, skin rashes, ear infections, indigestion or constipation, and more. Those pets who have just gone through surgical procedures experience expected pain, but pain that can be helped. 

Some more obvious signs of pain are limping, whining, or yowling, but pain can present itself in more covert ways. A cat who is inappropriately urinating around the house may have a UTI that they are trying to tell you about. A dog who is panting more than usual could have a thorn stuck in their foot that is hard to see. Unusual or unexpected aggression can be a sign that your companion is not feeling their best as well. In senior pets we see mobility pain present as they develop arthritis or joint degeneration. Other symptoms can include shaking and tremors, not moving from one spot, hunched posture, inappetence, or not grooming (in cats). 

Luckily in the world of modern science and medicine, there are a lot of steps you can take to prevent or manage pain. Here are a few suggestions for preventative care at home, 

• Regular exercise or enrichment 
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Feeding an appropriate diet and limiting the treats

There are other options as well, but these options require a visit and discussion with a veterinarian to determine what the best treatment plan is. The pain management aids that we use and encourage at Broadway include, 

• Adding fish oil or glucosamine in your pets diet 
• Using an anti-inflammatory (steroids or NSAIDS) or opioid for chronic pain
• Acupuncture
• Laser therapy
• Physical therapy  

For more information on any of these treatment plans above, explore the “Pet Resources” section of our website. There is a ton of great information to help you get informed about what we offer and how it could help your pet!

With the hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes happening all over the country, there is a pressing need to ensure that you are fully prepared in the event of a disaster. Just like you prepare an emergency kit for yourself, you should have one ready to go for your each of your pets as well. 

Some essentials for your dog or cat kit include, 

• A week’s supply of food and a bowl
• A week’s supply of water and a bowl
• Any medications your pet is currently on
• A leash and collar or harness with an identification tag and rabies tag (for dogs)
• A sturdy carrier with identification information
• A litter box and litter, or doggy waste bags 
• A copy of your pets recent medical records (in case of unexpected boarding or medical care) 
• A photo of you and your pet together 
• Familiar items to help them adjust to their new surroundings (blankets, T-shirts, etc.)

For reptiles, a ready carrier, heating pad or light, large bowl for eating or soaking, and water and food supply will suffice. Hamsters and Guinea Pigs should be transported in small carriers with something to hide in, a week’s worth of bedding, food, and water. Birds should travel in a secure carrier with supplies including a blanket or towel, food, water, a perch, and a supply of cage liners.

A vital piece of this is making sure that you are being proactive. Don’t let your pets food and medications run out, and remember to replace the older products with new ones every 2 months to prevent expiration.

Vaccinating your pets is extremely important to increase the health and longevity of their lives. Many diseases or illnesses can be prevented if your pet is inoculated prior to exposure. Yes, even inside dogs and cats should be vaccinated.

The DHPP vaccine is a combination vaccine that allows protection from 4 different illnesses (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus). For younger dogs or dogs with no vaccine history, it is really important to complete a booster series. Parvovirus is one of the most common and contagious diseases amongst dogs and can prove fatal to dogs that are not treated in a timely manner. Distemper is another illness that can be preventable with vaccinations prior to exposure. This can be a one year or a three year vaccine. This is a multi-part vaccine, meaning they receive one and will need to have one booster.

Lifestyle vaccines include Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Influenza, and Lyme.

If you board or groom your pets at all, you are probably familiar with these vaccinations.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through infected wildlife urine. We see this in Humboldt a lot with our deer and raccoon populations, and the bacteria can live in infected soil and water for weeks to months. This infection can be life threatening and is zoonotic, meaning it can transmit to humans as well. This is a two-part vaccine, meaning that they will receive an initial vaccine and a booster 3 weeks later. After that, they will only need it annually.

Bordetella, otherwise known as the Kennel Cough vaccine, is used primarily for pets that are going to be boarding, grooming, or in social situations with other dogs. It protects against Kennel Cough, which can be transmitted and infect other animals through the air (no need for direct contact). For this vaccine they will need to receive one oral dose and it is considered good for one year (although some boarding places require it every 6 months).

The influenza vaccine is a fairly new vaccine to our hospital. There have been no documented cases of canine flu in Humboldt yet, but there are confirmed cases in all of our surrounding areas and they are growing steadily. This viral infection affects the respiratory tract and can cause coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and lethargy.

These are highly contagious illnesses that can transmit through contact with an infected cat or infected environment. For younger cats or cats without vaccine history, it is strongly encouraged to finish this booster series. This can be a one year or three year vaccine, but does require an initial vaccine and a booster.

Feline Leukemia, a lifestyle vaccine for cats, is a viral infection that causes immunosuppression. This can lead to other serious diseases and ultimately death if not properly treated. This is transmitted through contact with an infected cat or an infected environment. This is strongly recommended for outside cats. This can be a one year or two year vaccine, but does require an initial vaccine and a booster.

Here is a handy vaccination schedule for your new young family member! Please keep in mind, your pet should be seen by a doctor annually to ensure a healthy pet while they are growing and aging. (Also please note, for pets that are less than 20lbs it is recommended to space out the vaccines by about a week to prevent vaccine reactions).

Summer Is Here

With all of the county wide fairs and events going on this summer, there is no doubt our animals will be apart of them! Going to the river, enjoying the events in Old Town, and walking among our many beautiful beaches or forests are in our plans. This July, our focus is going to be on preventing heat related injuries or illnesses.

Every year animals are affected by heat related injuries. Although we do not live in a place where the heat gets to be too high, our pets can still experience these symptoms if adequate care is not taken. Dogs left in cars are especially susceptible to this, with the temperature in the car being far more than the temperature outside.  

Signs of heat stroke include excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, reddened gums, vomiting or diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, uncoordination or even sudden collapse. Please seek medical attention right away if you suspect your dog is overheating. Get them into a place of shade, offer water for them to drink, and use water to cool them down if possible.

Be aware of where you are traveling with your pets as well. Going to the river is a great activity, especially for our swimming dogs, but caution should be taken with the heat as overexertion of play combined with the sun can lead to heat stroke as well.

Burns on the paws from hot pavement are something we have seen at our hospital as well. It can cause blistering and raw skin on their pads that is painful to treat. To avoid this, test the ground temperature with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for your hand, it will undoubtedly be too hot for your pets paws. Try to walk on the soft, cool grass or invest in some very stylish pet booties!

If you see a pet in a hot car with the windows up, please contact Animal Control right away. Refer to your state’s legislation and laws on how to further help a pet possibly in need.

This summer vacation, use your free time wisely. Spend it volunteering your time with animals that are in need. This can include working with a local rescue or shelter to dedicate time at their facility, or even fostering a pet in need because the facilities are too full! There are always ways that we can help animals and our community.

Some of the fun events planned for this month include the Lost Coast Kennel Club’s annual event at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds! The event will include agility trials, obedience trials, best in breed, and more for you to watch or take part in. Another pet friendly event includes Sequoia Humane Society’s Woofstock at Halvorsen Park in Eureka. This event includes the mutt strut, dock diving for dogs, an agility course, live music and street food, and so much more!

At Broadway, we genuinely do care about the health and quality of life of your pet. If you have any questions about heat concerns or any type of summer dangers, give us a call and we will connect you with one of our knowledgeable staff members to answer your questions.

June is… Rattlesnake Awareness Month!

Happy June and official start of summer! This month encompasses a few different holidays including National Rattlesnake Awareness Month, National Adopt a Cat Month, and National Microchipping Month!

Rattlesnakes and how the vaccination works.

With all of the hiking and exploring that we have at our fingertips here in the drier parts of our county, it is important to remember that there is wildlife present in the area that could be dangerous to your furry adventure buddy.

A common vaccine for pets that we recommend is the rattlesnake vaccine. It works a bit differently than other vaccines. The way this vaccine works is that it delays the reaction from the bite by neutralizing the venom so that you are able to safely get your pet to a veterinary professional for help.

To be clear, this vaccine will NOT stop the effects of the venom, but rather slow the onset of symptoms from the venom. This is considered a lifestyle vaccine, meaning that only dogs that may be exposed to rattlesnakes or their venom are encouraged to get immunized.

Snake avoidance training can also help to keep your pet aware and safe while on the trails. They can be trained by scent, sight, or sound to identify potentially dangerous animals around them. If your dog is a traveling dog, we suggest that you to look into some of these training classes.

Remember, the faster you seek medical attention after a rattlesnake bite the more likely that your dog will survive.

Why take the risk? Get your pet chipped.

Although we lock all of our doors, check our fences, and trust our pets to stay within our properties lines that does not always happen. Some dogs or cats just like to take themselves on a walk! This reason is why providing an extra layer of permanent identification for your pet is recommended.

Obtaining a microchip is a fairly simple and painless procedure. The implantation process works similarly to the way that a vaccine is given, under a specific section of the skin through a sterile injection. There is no anesthesia, and the pet generally does not feel any major discomfort. A microchip is NOT a tracking device, but rather has an RFID number programmed into it so that when read by a compatible scanner a number will be recognized and displayed on the screen. If your pet becomes lost or you find a lost pet, this number will lead you to the microchipping company where they can connect you with the registered owner. You must keep the registration updated. The microchip should last the entire life of your pet, so they’ll always be covered.

Call us to schedule your pets microchipping appointment today! We will even register the microchip before you leave with the email, phone number, and address we have on file for you.

Adopt a cat…. Save 9 lives.

Here’s just a few reasons why letting a cat into your home and hearts can change your entire life… They will be your own personal therapist and you only have to pay them in belly rubs or chin scratches. They will listen when you talk without interruption, give you love on a difficult day, and make you laugh until you’re sore. Their individual personalities will shine through and you will see how truly independent these animals are. You will never eat a meal alone again. Sharing a pillow becomes the new norm, and you will forever have a piece of cat hair on your somewhere (they have to mark you, right?). 

Now is the time when our shelters and rescues are overwhelmed with kittens and unadoptable cats! Adopt, foster, donate, educate and do your part to give a loving home to a cat in need.

In addition to the McKinleyville Animal Shelter and Sequoia Humane Society, a few of our local rescues including Sierra Pacific Furbabies, Humboldt Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T), Furever Friends, Companion Animal Foundation (CAF) and Miranda’s Rescue have cats in need of homes. Reach out to them and take home the new, furry, love of your life.

May is… Summer Fun Awareness Month!

Summer is on its way, and so are the fun activities that come along with it! Going to the beach or the river, hiking through our beautiful forests, or spending time outdoors with our family and friends are some of the things we here are looking forward to.

With summer fun, comes summer dangers…

Heading to the river? Make sure that your dog is vaccinated for Leptospirosis and current on their Heartworm preventative! Be on alert for any tricky spots in the bank that could cause a broken bone or laceration.

Watch out for hot pavement as well. Humans don’t quite feel the heat of the pavement with their rubber-soled shoes on, but dog pads get the full heat of it right away. Test the ground, if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for your dog!

Heading to the beach? Watch out for salt water poisoning and sand ingestion. Eating sand can cause indigestion problems and lead to a full blockage in the digestive tract.

Additionally, while many of the beaches around here are beaches that allow dogs to roam off leash, knowing your dogs behavior is really important in preventing fights with stranger dogs. Only allow your dog off leash if they are fully voice controlled and keep an eye out for any particularly rambunctious or unfamiliar dogs. 

Traveling out of the area? Make sure you have a copy of your pets relevant medical records, as well as a health certificate for crossing state or country borders.

Boarding your pet for traveling? Ensure that you pets vaccinations are up to date before you leave so that you are able to safely board your pets while you are away.

Plan ahead for travel! Traveling with your pet can be a big ordeal if you are not properly prepared. Having vaccinations, flea control, heartworm prevention, and a safety kit made up for your pet can be a daunting task. Let us help! We recommend including in your travel kit a copy of your pets current medical records, a recent photo of them, extra food and water, some comfort items like a blanket or pillow, and any medications your pet may be taking. Safe travels this beautiful summer season!

May is also National Salad Month… shout out to our reptile friends for eating all of the yummy fruits and veggies.

As the weather gets warmer, the pests come out to play. Fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other different types of bugs can carry diseases that can pass on to your pet. This month, our topic will be Heartworm disease and Heartworm prevention.

What it is: Heartworm is an infectious worm that can live inside the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs and cats. Transmission occurs when a mosquito takes a bite from a heartworm infected dog, picks up larvae that then develop into the infectious stage, and then bites another pet.

Heartworm can be a pretty serious disease. While some dogs never show symptoms of infection, other dogs can become very ill. Symptoms include coughing, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. The treatment for Heartworm in dogs is extensive, time consuming, and costly. It consists of potentially painful shots, many repeating trips to the vet, and a very strict, no-exercise lifestyle while the treatment is working to rid the heart of the worm. Please see our Veterinary Partner for more information.

Where it’s found: In warmer areas where mosquitos like to congregate, heartworm is much more prevalent. Around us we see it in areas like Willow Creek, Hoopa, and Southern Humboldt. If the temperature is high, there are likely mosquitos around. This also applies to traveling dogs; if you travel with your pet away from the coast, it is recommended to keep them on heartworm prevention year round.

How to prevent it: While there are many products on the market to combat this parasite, we offer in our hospital a product called Heartguard. This is a 30-day beef chewable that prevents Heartworm infection and controls ascarid and hookworm infections as well. Monthly heartworm prevention is a LOT more inexpensive and less time consuming than treating a heartworm positive dog. There are other preventatives that may be recommended, so we encourage you to discuss the options with your veterinarian.

And remember, because it’s not possible to keep our pets wrapped up all the time, flea and tick prevention is recommended all year round (yes, even in the winter months). The pests in Humboldt are always present; it is easier to prevent infections than treat them.

Give us a call or stop by to pick up some Heartworm prevention! All your pet needs is a current annual exam with our doctors and a current negative Heartworm test to continue preventatives.

Additionally, this month we are offering 10% off all Heartworm tests and 4DX tests! Our In-house Heartworm test only looks for the presence of Heartworm, whereas our 4DX test looks for the presence of Heartworm as well as 3 other tick-borne illnesses (including lyme). Call us to schedule today!
For more information, please see Veterinary Partner’s articles on “Heartworm in Cats” and “Heartworm Treatment in Dogs and Cats.”

March is poison prevention month!…

Sometimes, pets eat things they aren’t supposed to eat (I know, crazy right?).  The most common toxic ingestions are common household items (cleaners or rodent bait), human medications, plants, or foods.

Some household items that are considered toxic are most types of cleaners. Things like Lysol, bleach, carpet fresheners, or bathroom cleaners can be toxic in large amounts. Most cleaners can be used safely around pets, as long as proper label instructions are followed and they do not ingest them in large amounts.

Another concern that is prevalent at home is the access to human medications. Although safe for humans, many of our medications can cause GI upset, vomiting, or other potential harmful effects in dogs when consumed. Things like essential oils, ibuprofen, nicotine patches, and even Advil are cause for concern. It is always advisable to consult with a veterinarian before giving your pet any over the counter medications, and if accidental ingestion occurs contact the ASPCA as soon as possible to determine how life-threatening it can be. Please see the list of household products and medications that are potentially harmful.

Plants make life prettier and help keep clean air running through our houses. Depending on the plant however, they can also be pretty dangerous. Lillies, sago palm, azaleas, aloe, and elephant ears are some common decorative plants that are dangerous for pets. Please see the extensive list of potentially harmful plants, and ensure to keep those out of your pets reach.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

While we enjoy a good stir-fry with garlic and onions and peppers, your pets internal organs will not. It is really important to keep an eye on your pets when you are cooking or eating food, as a small dose of toxic food can cause big problems. Please see the list of potentially harmful foods.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Another common ingestion we see, especially in Humboldt, is marijuana ingestion. While this generally is not life threatening, it can cause some very concerning effects in your pets. Signs of this are ataxia (wobbling, looking like they are drunk), increased flinching, excessive drooling, and incontinence. If you think that your pet has ingested marijuana or is showing any of these signs, please have them evaluated promptly. For more information, please see ASPCA.

https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/shelter-health-poison-control/marijuana-toxicosis-animals

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is a great resource to connect with for accidental ingestion of toxic substances. They provide 24 hour consultation, 365 days a year, to pet parents who are concerned about what their pet might have eaten. This will connect you with a poison control specialist that will be able to give you direction as to what to do next in treating your dog. Their phone number is 888-426-4435, and please be advised that a $65 consult fee will be charged to your credit card for a consult with their specialists.

Let’s keep our pets happy, healthy, and poison free this year!

Does your dog or cat need a New Year’s Resolution? Here are a few that we recommend:

Wag more, Bark less! Spend more quality time with our humans and furry friends doing things we love.

Walk it out! Go for long walks around the block, the beach, the forest, or even the backyard.

Go on a diet! A change of food or new treats can be really beneficial to your pet to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained. A bonus to this is that they are less likely to contract diseases linked to obesity like diabetes or hepatic lipodosis (fatty liver).

If you have any other fun resolution ideas, please send them our way. Here’s to a great 2019.

While we all loaded up for the holidays on tasty food, it’s important to make sure that Buddy didn’t have too many treats! Maintaining an appropriate weight for our pets to ensure that they do not have any long-lasting health problems is necessary, and a big part of that is a healthy diet and daily exercise. A healthy body-type for an animal is determined by using a Body Condition Score (BCS). This score is an indicator of how over or underweight an animal is. The goal is to be in the middle of the scales, indicating a healthy body stature and an acceptable amount of fat and muscle mass. Find more information about how to tell your pets BCS click here (insert link from below).

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/how-find-your-dogs-body-condition-score

If you need any help getting your pets health off on the right foot this year, let our knowledgeable doctors help point you in the right direction!

As always, even though the weather is cooling down the fleas and ticks persist. Keep your pet on flea prevention to help keep the pests out of your home and off of your animals. We have Nexgard, Bravecto, Comfortis, Revolution, and Cheristin to help you combat the fleas.

Coming next month…. February is Dental Month!

We are offering 10% off all dental cleanings for the month of February. Call us to secure a spot now, we will book up quick!

Did you know that your dog or cats’ bad breath can actually be a sign of an unhealthy mouth? Routine brushing and treats at home only help so much, a dental cleaning can really freshen up your pets’ breath and promote better health. Call us now to schedule a consult!

A great example of a cleaning that we performed recently:

December Holiday Season Tips & Tricks

At Broadway Animal Hospital by the Bay, we consider you and your pets family. Our mission is to nurture the human-animal bond, and the holidays are a great time to celebrate that. Spending time with our loved ones – human, furry, feathery, or scaley – is the reason for the season.

With that in mind, it’s important to make sure that we watch out for preventable accidents. Things like accidental ingestions of food or new toys, or even chewing on electrical wires from decorations should be considered. While you may love seeing your family members that live across the country, Fluffy might not be so excited. It’s important to respect an animal’s space, and make sure the young kids aren’t pulling or stepping on their tails!

The most common incident during the holidays comes from accidental ingestion of food or foreign objects. Inspect your pets new toys for any issues before giving it to them, and ensure that it is the proper size so that it won’t get swallowed.

Some holiday foods on the naughty list include: Ham and turkey bones, stuffing, grapes and raisins, alcohol, onions and garlic, chocolate and nutmeg, butter, mushrooms, and gravy. If you aren’t sure if your pet can have it, check first before giving it to them!

Traveling with your pets can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday. To make it easy, Hill’s has compiled some great information on traveling with your pets into a convenient checklist. Their list is easy to read and follow, and has plenty of information to make your travel as stress free as possible for both you and your dog or cat. For traveling with dogs, click here. For traveling with cats, click here.

And if you need a health certificate, wellness exam, or some vaccinations before travel, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d be happy to get you and your pet all squared away before the holidays.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,

The staff at Broadway Animal Hospital.

October is National Diversity Month

Recognizing dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, pocket pets, and more!

At our hospital, we recognize that not all animals are built the same or require the same care. Caring for cats and dogs is a whole different world than care for a guinea pig, bird, or reptile. Luckily, we’ve got you covered! Our veterinarians see a plethora of animal species, with the knowledge and resources to give your critter the best care possible. Our doctors have seen animals such as rabbits, turtles, bearded dragons, snakes, chameleons, birds, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and others.

Although these animals look and act very differently, they all need routine care. This includes annual examinations, blood work, preventatives, and proper education for care at home.

To find out some more information on care for these exotic animals, please see veterinary partner. They have some great links on things like Aggression in Captive Reptiles, Ferret Flea Control, Rabbit Natural Behavior, Rodent Husbandry and Care, Nutrition for Small Mammals, and Signs of Illness or Disease in a Bird.

Reptilesmagazines.com also has tons of information on choosing and caring for your pet reptile. Please choose wisely, these pets need a lot of care and are very particular about their living conditions!

October also has Vet Tech Appreciation Week!!

Show some love for your hard working techs by thanking them at your next appointment and letting them know how much you appreciate their help and care.

These are some of our technicians you might see running around the hospital. They all have a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge, and are dedicated to nurturing the human-animal bond that our clients experience with their pets.

Ed, Chris, and Rick goofing around with their puppy patient.

“Day in the life”

A typical day in the life of a vet tech consists of in-taking appointments, trailing after doctors, giving vaccinations, anal gland expressions, temperatures, cleaning the hospital, filling medications, follow-ups on sick patients, assisting in surgeries, holding dogs during exams, and a whole lot more.

We LOVE our techs