The Oregon Department of Health has confirmed a fatal case of H5N1 avian influenza in an indoor cat from Washington County, linked to Morasch Meat’s “Northwest Naturals” brand turkey raw & frozen pet food. Additional cases tied to raw diets have surfaced in other states, including the deaths of 20 big cats at a sanctuary in Washington. Due to the risk to both pets and humans, please be aware of this disease and take steps to prevent exposure.
The CDC has new rules for all dogs that are entering the US, including those coming over from Canada and other “low-risk” countries. These new rules go into effect on AUGUST 1ST, 2024, and are substantially more involved than the previous requirements. If you have travel plans or think you may need to bring your pup across the border at some point, please ensure you're up to date on these new requirements.
As anyone with a pet can tell you, when the COVID-19 pandemic first surged onto the scene in early 2020 suddenly the simple task of booking a veterinary appointment became an incredible challenge. As hospitals nation-wide closed their doors to all but the most critical emergencies, routine care such as vaccinations and spay and neuter surgeries came to a standstill. When a well-intentioned woman rescued four pregnant cats off the street at the beginning of 2020, she had no idea that three years later she would find herself with well over 60 cats.
As the weather forecast soars well into the 90s, veterinary hospitals brace for patients suffering from heatstroke. This potentially deadly condition can set in rapidly, especially for certain dogs - knowing the risk factors, warning signs, and how to keep your pup cool are essential for making sure that both you and your pets can safely enjoy the summer.
It’s the season to start gardening – but for those of us with cats and dogs, sometimes beautiful flowers can hide a deadly danger. Whether you’re looking to exclusively grow a pet-safe garden or want to ensure any toxic plants are kept out of reach, researching your flower choices is the easiest way to ensure you can cultivate a garden that’s both beautiful and safe.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a deadly disease that affects both wild and domestic birds including ducks, chickens, turkeys, geese, guinea fowl, quail, and more. This disease is extremely contagious and often fatal, and was recently confirmed in wild mallard ducks in Middlesex and New London counties, in addition to a flock of backyard chickens in Long Island. Due to the serious risk HPAI poses, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has issued a warning to all poultry owners.
*As of March 2nd, HPAI has been confirmed in a flock of backyard pet birds in New London county.