Great Falls Animal Hospital: Fall 2005 Newsletter

10125 Colvin Run Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
Telephone: 703 759-2330
Email:

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Safety tips for traveling with that special furry friend
Too attached to keep your dog or cat at home while you venture out on a roadtrip? Here are some important safety tips to help you along the highway.

Always keep an updated vaccine certificate in your glove compartment while traveling. Depending on your chosen location, your pet may need a certified health certificate which you can get at our office. Please call and ask our staff about necessary paperwork.

Never leave home without your driver's license? Your pet shouldn't either! Make sure you pet has updated ID tags. It's a good idea to add tag with the vacation location address on it once you've reached your location. Most tags are just a few dollars, you decide what's more important. Take a current photo of your pet to help prove ownership if you're pet accidentally runs off during a trip. Another great way to help make sure your pet is returned to you is microchipping. Please call our office for more information.

Keep you dog contained or restrained with a seat belt harness or in a carrier while driving. Never allow cats or other small pets loose in the car. Cats should always be contained in a carrier while traveling. Make sure carriers are secured to the seat to prevent any shifting during travel.

Check out possible parasite conditions at your traveling location in order to better protect your pet.

Provide plenty of water for both you and your travelers. The use of air conditioners and or heaters can cause dryness in the air. Take frequent stops to help prevent car sickness and fatigue for both you and your pet. Use caution with unfamiliar areas, keep your dog on a leash at all times while not in the car. Allow your cat a potty break too! Supply your cat with a large enough carrier to hold a small litter box with a small amount of litter. A litter box can easily be dumped in the trash after each use is best due to safety issues having a cat loose in the car. Cat's can easily get spooked and hide under seats and peddles. Take a moment to look at our Pet Travel Kit:

Plenty of water, extra in case of emergency
Food, extra in case of an emergency
Current medications and a pet's first aid kit
Paper towels, in case of accidents
Plastic bags or trash bags for stools
Toys and bedding that smell like home
Extra leash and collar
Carrier
Small litter box w/ supply of newspaper and litter
Vaccine certificate and Rabies certificate
Health certificate if needed
Great Falls Animal Hospital phone number

It's a good idea to locate the closest animal hospital once you've reached your location in case there is an emergency. Call our office if you have any questions. Finally, have a great time!

Death by Heat!
Leave your pet at home while you run errands! Did you know that the temperature inside a car that's not running can reach 20 degrees higher than the current outside temperature, and that's even with the windows slightly cracked open. Just a few minutes in a hot car can have a fatal outcome for children and pets. Fairfax and Loudoun County both have laws prohibiting animals to be left in a car if the outside temperature is over 70 degrees. Any person breaking this law will be ticketed when law enforcement locates them.

Say Cheese!
Introducing the first GFAH pet photo contest! We invite you to send in your favorite picture of your pets. Keep in mind that these photos will not be returned but will become part of a photo album for our hospital. Please limit your choice to only 1 picture per household. Our staff will vote until we get down to 25 finalist, then we welcome you to come in and help choose the final 3. (Only 1 vote per family please) The top 3 finalist will receive prizes! The grand prize winner will also have their picture on our website! Please make sure to send it to the attention of "Photo Contest." Entry deadline is October 15, 2005 so get your cameras out and start posing your pets.

FIGHT ANIMAL CRUELTY
Have you been looking for a way to help abused animals or know of an animal that may need help? With the help of our veterinarians we have composed a list of things to watch as possible signs that the animal may be in trouble.

Emaciated, very thin or boney animals
An animal being physically abused by an owner. For example, striking or kicking.
Limping
Patches of missing hair
Chained without food or water or proper shelter
Chained without shelter in extreme weather conditions
Animals that become aggressive and or cower in fear when approached by their owners
Animals that have large masses on their body; they may even hang off the body.

If you need to report a possible animal cruelty situation, please call your local Animal Control. Fairfax County residents call 703-830-3310, Loudoun County residents call 703-777-0406, and Prince William County residents please call 703-792-6465. If you live elsewhere please contact us for an appropriate phone number.

GFAH Gossip!
Congratulations to Renee Small, our senior technician, who gave birth to Brandon Robert on August 4! At 7 pounds, 12 ounces and a head full of hair, he made a great addition to the Small family.

HOW SAFE IS THE SWIFFER WETJET?
You've probably heard rumors or seen emails about the Swiffer Wet Jet supposedly being toxic to animals and/or children. Well, they were wrong! Recently, the ASPCA Animal Control Poison Center rebutted rumors of the toxicity of recently cleaned floors using the Swiffer Wet Jet. The product does not contain antifreeze. The common cleaning chemicals it does contain are safe to use around pets as long as you follow the label instructions.