Pet news from around Galt and beyond | Country Oaks Veterinary Hospital

Parvo Cases on the Rise

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:14:57 -0800

The first week of November has seen a dramatic rise in Parvo cases at our hospital. Please exercise caution with your new puppies by keeping them away from public places.

Parvo is generally a disease of the younger dogs, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea (often with blood), and lethargy.

The best prevention is vaccinations ( a full puppy series from age 6-8 weeks until they are 16 weeks old, every 3-4 weeks) and keep your puppy off the ground, and do not visit parks or other public places. If your backyard is isolated, you can let your puppy run around there.

Any further questions please give our hospital a call at (209)745-3200

Confirmed case of H1N1 Virus in a cat

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:01:42 -0800

For once it appears we have an answer to the question that I've often received: Do cats and dogs get our cold or flu? I've asked my own doctors before and had a lot of noncommittal answers. But recently the AVMA reported that a 13-year old cat in Iowa developed a respiratory infection after several people in the house had been sick. The cat has since recovered and the test results for the H1N1 virus were confirmed in early November. There is still no evidence that cats can pass the infection to humans.

Arsenic in Galt Water

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:48:06 -0800

Apparently all those in Galt were notified about the arsenic levels in the drinking water being above acceptable EPA levels. The accepted limits are 10 parts per billion, and Galt's water levels of arsenic were from 11.5 to 14.3 parts per billion.

What does this mean to your pets?

Both dogs and cats have not been reported to suffer from long term arsenic exposure (perhaps because they do not live as long as humans). Also the "acceptable" levels recommended for our furry companions is 1 part per million or 1000 parts per billion so that the current elevation in Galt's water should not be a problem. Scientists have never been able to reproduce the skin lesions that effect humans with chronic exposure to arsenic.

Further of note: dog's clear out 45% of the arsenic they have ingested within about 2 hours, where it takes other pets and domestic animals up to two days.

So I think you can rest easy knowing that your pets should be ok drinking Galt's water. Of course, I don't care for the taste...