  As the year comes to an end, we at DCAS look forward to all the fun surrounding the holidays: gatherings with friends, family, and food! This season, be mindful of how to keep your pet safe. Take extra precautions to avoid accidental ingestion of all those festive foods, especially when cooking with yeast, raisins/grapes, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, onions, turkey, or any fatty foods.
The holiday season can also bring an increase in linear foreign bodies - when cats or dogs eat something stringlike, such as the ribbon on presents/balloons, dental floss, sewing thread, tinsel, etc. The foreign material can get stuck after being swallowed and sometimes emergency surgery is needed to prevent damage to the pet’s stomach and/or intestines.
Unfortunately, pets can also ingest toxins associated with holiday celebrations. Drugs, either prescribed, OTC (over the counter) or recreational, can result in an emergency visit or a call to poison control if accidentally eaten by a pet. Decorations, such as candles, essential oils, potpourri can result in burns, breathing difficulties; and ingesting any part of a lily can cause acute kidney failure in cats. For those with birds, overheated Teflon pans can unfortunately quickly cause death to a bird.
A new hazard to keep in mind this year is what appears to be a new respiratory disease in dogs recently seen in the news. As we travel more this time of year, there is potentially a greater risk of exposure as dogs are placed in boarding facilities or are exposed to infected dogs outside the household. Currently the cause is not known but it seems to spread similarly to COVID, and is suspected to be viral, with potentially severe secondary infections. The disease appears to be limited to dogs and currently there is not a specific test. The symptoms can be a chronic cough that can last 6 weeks, or a severe pneumonia that can result within 2 days from clinical signs. The disease does not seem to respond to traditional treatments and deaths have been reported. It is recommended to talk to your veterinarian to make sure your pet is current on their vaccinations and to avoid contact with other dogs not normally in their household. Dogs with a weaker immune system, such as the very young, old, or with other health concerns, should especially avoid areas where dogs socialize. As veterinarians continue to research these cases, I hope we will have answers soon. We’ll send out information as it’s available. For now, monitor your dogs and report any signs of respiratory disease to your veterinarian.
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
Do you find your canine friend lurking Under-foot, Under the table, and Under-stimulated? Bored dogs may stick close to their humans in hopes of getting dropped food or attention.
During the busy holiday season, this can get old - fast. One solution is to give your pooch something amazing to do away from where you're doing all your busy people things. Long-lasting chews or food puzzles like Kongs can be a life-saver.
But a Kong with peanut butter day after day can get boring too. Here are our tips for making the Kong endlessly entertaining (and delicious) for your pet, giving both of you some much needed "me" time.
Want to have a Holly Jolly Christmas? Let Cheers tell you the secret - adopt her!
This sweet girl has everything you could want in a lap cat - cuddly, loves pets, lots to say, and full of playful energy. She gets along with other cats, but prefers to interact with human friends, getting pets and playing with toys. We don't know what Cheers' life was like before arriving as a stray near Halloween, but we don't want her to spend another holiday at the shelter.
Click her picture to fill out an application today!
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Traveling with Your Pet?
Don't forget your pet's holiday travel checklist!
You wouldn't leave home without your driver's license right? And your pet shouldn't leave home without their ID as well! If you're traveling with your pets this holiday season, make sure you have easy access to the following information. If your pet gets lost or has an emergency, it will be easier to handle if you're prepared.
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ID Tag - check the tag clip is in good condition and the information is legible
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Rabies Tag - not only is it required by law anytime your pet leaves the property, it's another way to help lost pets be reunited with their families
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Collar - these can wear out over time, so make sure your pet's collar fits well and isn't ripped or worn through in any places
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Harness - always check harnesses for wear and to make sure they still fit snugly
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Standard leash - keeping your pet close using a standard size leash is the best way to keep your pet safe
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Cat/Small Animal Carrier - the safest way for a cat or small animal to travel in a car is contained in a carrier placed on the floor behind the passenger seat
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Microchip - is your pet microchipped? Is it registered? Make sure you have the microchip information handy
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Vaccination Documents - take a picture of your pet's rabies vaccine certificate to have on your phone in case you need it
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Medications/food - bring extras in case bad weather puts a crimp in your travel plans!
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Veterinarian Contact Info - store this in your phone for easy access
Hopefully, your holidays are filled with joy and amazing memories, but it's always best to be prepared for problems if they happen. Click the image above for the full recommendations when traveling with your pets.
The DCAS Animal Control Officers would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!!
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 $100 per participant, 16 years old and up.
Follow the link below to register. Slots are available first come, first served.
This course teaches first aid techniques to address the most common emergencies pet owners may experience with dogs and cats in the household. This course will train you to notice abnormalities and detect early warning signs in pets. You will also learn essential pre-vet care and life-saving techniques for those times when immediate action can make all the difference.
Please remember, your slot is not secured until payment is received.
December 9, 2023 9am-3pm
https://bit.ly/DCASFirstAid
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