for-paws-blog

Taxi is on the road

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:38:50 +0100

Taxi dog and the Sacramento Bee have made a connection and now you can read all about it at Sac Paws, the premier pet community resource in central California.

For Paws Hospice is pleased to be a partner blog of the Bee; now we have two great cities to call home Tampa Bay and Sacramento.

Please visit the Taxi dog blog and join our community of pet families and For Paws working to keep pets and their families together.

Welcome to Taxi dog's blog

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:11:18 +0100

To all our new readers from Sacramento Connect Extranet welcome.

Just a word of explanation then please take some time and explore. Yes, we're located in Florida which is a lot like CA but with more beaches and alas, fewer vineyards. To be more accurate, we're in Tampa Bay with all its rich heritage of spanish exploration, Cuban cigars and people who get excited about their pets; like Sacramento we have lots and lots of dogs here.

I work for For Paws Hospice, at least that's who pays the bills for this internet acreage and so I thought it would be a great idea if we could get Sacramento Connects to pony up some extra space and we'd be connecting to two great communities on different coasts, kind of a twofer, ya know.

We like pets, and pet families and we love Sacramento so seemed like a match made in...well you get the idea.

As I said, I do the driv'n around here but only as far as the company is concerned, when you're in my cab you're the boss and we'll go anywhere you want. So sit back, relax and where to, the flag is down.

Taxi dog

First stop, lets eat! I know where the food is fresh and the prices are right, One Dog's Kitchen. There's a menu in the seat back for you.

Open publication - Free publishing - More pet

Standards of care in animal shelters

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:30:01 +0100

December 6, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians released “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters,” a document that the organization calls "the first comprehensive report of its kind."

Among the contributors to this two-year project are Doctors Kate Hurley and Sandra Newbury of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Hurley directs the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Newbury works for the program as the national shelter medicine extension veterinarian, and she is the lead author of the guide.

Pet columnist Steve Dale published an article about the project: Standards of care...

Open publication - Free publishing - More shelter

Tug-o-war

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:10:50 +0100

Beauregard has a new friend he met in hospice, Dobby. Dobby is recovering at hospice from an injury received shortly after birth. The three month old chihuahua has lots of play in him and needed someone to work off all that energy; at 95 pounds and recently rescued from life as a chained dog the German shepherd needed a friend as well. Now they have each other and that's the best therapy we know. Taxi d

Experts urging equine vaccination

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:27:31 +0100

Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus rising: Animal Health Experts Warn Horse Owners About Early Danger Signs of Widespread Mosquito-Borne Diseases

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 -- Animal health experts warn that fatal cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile are being reported in numerous states, even in areas where activity has been low for several years. This follows a rise in the early warning signs of mosquito-borne diseases that include Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile and Western Equine Encephalitis. This doesn't bode well for either horses or humans.

To help prevent the spread of additional cases, Pfizer Animal Health and other health organizations are strongly encouraging horse owners and veterinarians to follow the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) guidelines for vaccinations against mosquito-borne diseases.

"If horses aren't vaccinated, this situation could become much worse," says Kevin Hankins, DVM, MBA, Equine Veterinary Services at Pfizer Animal Health.

States like Florida that monitor the development of mosquito-borne diseases through sentinel chickens are seeing an upsurge in the detection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis across the state, and in many areas that are not usually affected. This is considered to be a serious warning that unvaccinated horses from across the country are at risk for contracting Eastern Equine Encephalitis as well as other mosquito-borne illnesses, particularly West Nile and Western Equine Encephalitis.

"Historically, we've seen Eastern Equine Encephalitis restricted to the south and southeast parts of the country," says Julie Wilson, DVM Diplomate ACVIM at the University of Minnesota. "But we're now seeing many cases reported in northern regions that include Michigan, Massachusetts and up into Maine." In addition, officials at the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office have recently confirmed the first case of West Nile virus in Kentucky in 2010 in a mare with no history of immunization against the disease. California has also reported the number of West Nile cases to have more than doubled from 2009.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners says that Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus are considered core vaccinations for horses, along with tetanus and rabies. Though annual vaccinations should happen in early spring, the AAEP also recommends boosters after five or six months.

Pfizer Animal Health offers a trusted line of vaccines, including WEST NILE-INNOVATOR®, to help protect against West Nile virus. In addition, the Mosquito Shot (TM) (WEST NILE-INNOVATOR® + EWT) helps protect against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) in a single vaccine. All Pfizer Animal Health equine vaccines are backed by an Immunization Support Guarantee. Pfizer Animal Health will support reasonable diagnostic and treatment costs up to $5,000 if a horse properly vaccinated by a veterinarian with one of its antigens contracts the corresponding equine disease (EEE, WEE, WNV, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE), Tetanus or Influenza).

"Given the activity we're seeing in the northern states for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and for West Nile Virus across the country," says Maureen Long, DVM PhD., Fern Audette Associate Professor in Equine Studies at the University of Florida and noted West Nile Virus researcher, "all horse owners within the United States should work with their veterinarians to make sure their vaccine strategies are appropriate."

Pet wheels - the gift of mobility

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:00:47 +0100

Red is a "runt" pit that was rescued from a closet, locked there by youngsters who tried to hide him from their parents, Red still can't stand being locked up. The family that rescued Red has three other dogs all rescues, all hurt in some way; but Red doesn't mind he has brothers and sisters.

Now another situation threatens to lock Red up once again, Red has a debilitating arthritis and a cracked vertebra that may condemn Red to isolation from family walks and backyard romps; Red needs a wheel cart.

Red's owners contacted For Paws Hospice looking to our Cart Share program called Bosco's wheels for help.

Bosco's Wheels is a program that donates used carts to families like Red's who care about their animals but can't afford the $300 - $500 cost of a new cart.

For Paws pays all the expenses to refurbish used carts and fit the patient as well as the cost of rehabilitation care and shipping. The cart is free to the family to use as long as it's needed and then it's returned to For Paws Hospice and made available to another needy pet.

Bosco's list has five carts, three are in use and two available, unfortunately Red needs a cart just a little smaller than the two on hand.

If you have a cart sitting idle and could donate it to Red or any of the other dogs waiting for wheels please contact us at ForPawsHospice@hotmail.com or call 727.639.9285.

Your gift of mobility can change a life.

Evamist warning affects small children, pets

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:15:07 +0100

FDA Advisory: SILVER SPRING, Md., July 29 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that inadvertent exposure to Evamist through skin contact with patients using this product has the potential for adverse effects in children and pets.

Evamist contains estradiol, an estrogen hormone, and is used in women to reduce hot flashes during menopause. The drug is sprayed on the skin between the elbow and wrist, on the inside of the forearm.

The FDA currently is reviewing reports of adverse events in children and pets who were inadvertently exposed to this topical estrogen product. "Women using Evamist need to be aware of the potential risks to children who come in contact with the area of skin where this drug is applied," said Julie Beitz, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Drug Evaluation III. "It is important that people know to keep both children and pets away from the product to minimize exposure."

Evamist was FDA approved in 2007. From July 2007 to June 2010, FDA received eight post-marketing cases of unintended exposure to Evamist in children ages 3 years to 5 years. Adverse events reported in unintentionally exposed children include premature puberty, nipple swelling and breast development in females, and breast enlargement in males.

Since 2007, two reports of secondary exposure to Evamist in dogs also have been received by FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Pets exposed to Evamist may exhibit signs such as mammary/nipple enlargement and vulvar swelling. Patients using Evamist should not allow children to make contact with the area of the arm where Evamist is sprayed and should wash the child's skin with soap and water as soon as possible if contact does occur. Pets also should not be allowed to lick or touch the arm where Evamist is sprayed as small pets may be especially sensitive to the estrogen in this product. If direct contact with the arm where Evamist was sprayed cannot be avoided, it is recommended that women wear a garment that covers the area where the drug was applied.

At this time, it is unknown whether unintended exposure can occur with other topical estrogen products. The FDA is continuing to review adverse event reports and evaluate ways to reduce unintended exposures to these products.

Consumers and health care professionals should report any side effects from Evamist by using the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at www.fda.gov/MedWatch or by calling 800-332-1088.

For further information http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPati entsandProviders/ucm220185.htm

Veterinary Rx discount grant program

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:06:35 +0100

We published the following article earlier this year but it deserves repeating.

The National Association of Counties in partnership with Caremark, corporate owner of CVS Pharmacies has established a grant program to fund discounts on prescription medications to American Families who are either uninsured or underinsured.

The discount card automatically earns on average a 24% discount of prescription drugs at more than 6000 locations across the country.

We contacted the NACo office in Washington, DC and spoke with Jim Phillips, Media Relations, who confirmed the program was intended to benefit the whole family including pets with a valid veterinary prescription.

You can pick up a card at most CVS stores or contact your local county administration to obtain the card.

The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program also lets anyone download the discount card online http://www.rxprintacard.biz/nlc/select.aspx. The program is free and has no restrictions on the number of times it can be used or the total of the savings.

If your community is not on the list you may choose any listed city and download that discount card – there are no restrictions for residency and you do not have to show identification other than a valid prescription.

For Paws Hospice has used the card to assist pet families obtain discounts on their vet prescriptions since May, 2010. The program we found works flawlessly and when used in conjunction with discounts offered by online pharmacies may result in further savings.

One example recently illustrates the combined savings. A patient need veterinary insulin, a 3 month supply $166 from the veterinary office. We contacted CVS and were informed that the insulin could be ordered and the cost would be $144 - with the discount card $114.

We then contacted PetMedsOnline.com, their price for the same 3 month supply $91. We told them about the NACo Prescription Discount Card and although they had not heard about it, promptly reduced the price 20% to $72.

We have subsequently discovered that certain prescription diet pet foods may be subject to the discount.

We called Royal Canin manufacturers of a variety of prescription pet foods. Although Canin does not sell direct they suggested contacting their distributors both online and stores such as Pet Smart. A condition for the sale of prescription pet foods in store is that the store has a veterinary location on site.

Here again it seems in all likelihood the discount card should be applicable just as it would for any prescription medical supply; we'll let you know.

For Paws Hospice now on GoodSearch

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:05:16 +0100

Here's a new easy, way to help For Paws Hospice care for animals in need. Just start using Yahoo! powered GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to your favorite cause every time you do a search!

In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the charity or school of your choice. You pay the same price as you normally would, bit GoodSearch donates a portion of the sale to For Paws Hospice.

Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.

Dixie and Buddy are just two of the animals For Paws Hospice is currently sponsoring for medical assistance; here are their stories.

Help pets stay stress-free this Fourth

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:54:02 +0100

Natural Pet Remedies help pet anxiety from fear of fireworks and other sounds associated with summer.

June 17 - The sounds of summer are in the air and for most, this means relaxation and music to our ears. But for your pet, the louder noises that accompany warm weather -- thunderstorms, fireworks, unfamiliar guests -- are often a source of pet anxiety.

Fears of fireworks and other loud noises are not uncommon for your pet. Dogs often express their fear with destructive behavior such as barking, cowering, and chewing through things. With Fourth of July around the corner, more pet owners are turning to all-natural alternative solutions to calm pet anxiety including RESCUE Remedy Pet. RESCUE Remedy Pet is a natural, and safe alternative to help your pet stay calm and enjoy the fun this Fourth of July!

RESCUE Remedy Pet contains the five flower remedies found in RESCUE Remedy, the original stress relieving remedy available for more than 70 years in an alcohol free formula, ideal for sensitive pets.

Veterinarian Dr. Margo Roman, DVM, recommends RESCUE Remedy Pet to treat pet anxiety caused by loud noises, fear of fireworks, separation, new surroundings, vet visits and more. Dr. Roman, a board member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, explains, "If left untreated, these intense feelings can lead to negative, unwanted behaviors -- a dog with a propensity to bite, a cat who continually urinates on the carpet, a bird who pulls out his feathers each time his owner leaves the house."

Dr. Roman recommends pet owners consider flower remedies this summer should their pets experience any of the following:
  -- Fear of thunderstorms, fireworks or loud noises
  -- Travel anxiety
  -- Separation anxiety
  -- Adapting to new surroundings or people

RESCUE Remedy Pet is available in dropper format and is suitable for use on pets of all shapes and sizes, including dogs, cats, horses, fish (add to water) and birds.

RESCUE Remedy Pet is available nationally in Whole Foods and anywhere natural products are sold. It can also be purchased online at www.rescueremedy.com/pets.