Beat the Summer Heat

With the beautiful Utah summer weather comes the unbearable heat! Please remember to keep your pet cool during those blistering hot summer days.

While it’s easy for us to cool off at the lake or the pool and to change into cooler clothing, our fuzzy and feathered friends might not fare so well. Here are some tips to keeping your buddy cool:

CATS, DOGS & RABBITS:

1. Keep Water Accessible

Ideally, this means that you should keep the bowl full and change it often throughout the day to keep it cool. Placing it in a shaded area can also help keep it from being too warm. Watch out for those playful pups, they tend to dirty the water by splashing it with their paws!

2. Provide Shade

Preferably, the shaded area should also come with a breeze. Keep in mind that as the sun changes position in the sky, the shaded area might also change positions throughout the day.

3. NEVER leave your pet in the car

Even with the window rolled halfway down, a car’s interior can reach unbearable temperatures VERY quickly during those cloudless sunny days. If you’ve got some errands to run, it’s best to leave your pet at home in an air-conditioned or shaded environment!

4. Do not go for Long Walks or Jogging in the Heat of the Day

Exercise with your dog during the early morning or late evening when outdoor temperatures are cooler. Also, remember to bring along water for both you and your jogging companion.

BIRDS:

All of the above rules apply, and here are just a few more ideas for our feathered friends:

1. Mist often

Add just one drop of original Listerine (gold colored) to a 1 Liter Spray bottle of tap water and mist your bird(s) every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the warmth of the day.

2. Keep indoor birds away from AC Vents

While we run the air conditioner to make the interior of our homes more comfortable, we shouldn’t forget that cool air blown directly on a bird can be bad news! Keep your bird cages away from vents (same in winter when you’re turning the heat on).

3. Keep indoor birds away from Windows

While natural light is the very best thing for birds (they need 12-14 hours of UVA & UVB light daily), windows can create very warm pockets of air around them when direct sunlight shines through. Move your bird cages away from windows that get direct light. Just a few inches from the wall can make a huge difference!

RECOGNIZING HEAT STROKE:

Heat stroke can be identified by high body temperature (between 104-110F degrees), dark or bright red tongue or gums, panting, listlessness, staggering, stupor, seizures, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, coma, and death.

If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. Offer your pet ice cubes and use cool water to cool your pet (not cold water because it can constrict blood vessels and impede cooling) until you can consult your veterinarian. Do not cool your pet below 103F degrees as it can make your pet hypothermic.

If your pet’s temperature returns to normal, do not assume that they are okay. Hyperthermia can cause liver, kidney, and brain damage and an evaluation and blood tests by a veterinarian can determine if your pet is internally healthy.

 

 

RiverWoods Pet Hospital Celebrates Its 11th Birthday!

RiverWoods Pet Hospital is an American Animal Hospital Association accredited facility with medical, surgical, and integrative services available for dogs, cats, and exotic and pocket pets. We are proud to be a part of the Provo/Orem community and to have provided veterinary services to the wonderful people here for the past 11 years! We have always strived to provide only the best service with our excellent staff and state-of-the-art technology.

Thank you to all of those who have been with us through the years, from clients and patients to staff members. You have given our hospital it’s unique and wonderful personality and have helped us grow! We look forward to many more years of greatness to come!

 

Dr. Dobson Receives the 2008 Utah Latino Hero Award

The Latino Heroes Award is an awards program developed by the Regence Group as a part of its ongoing commitment to the Latino community. The  campaign targets individuals who have achieved great personal achievement educationally and professionally, as well as  economically. But in addition, these individuals also engage the Latino community through service in maintaining cultural  preservation, economic growth, and empowerment.

Each hero receives a $2,000 donation granted to a non-profit organization of his or her choice, and given in his or her honor.  Last night, Dr. Yoeny Calas-Dobson DVM received her Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah Latino Hero Award at a ceremony in her honor at the corporate offices in Salt Lake City, UT.  Dale Tingey of the American Indian Services was presented with a check for $2000 in her honor.

Dr. Yoeny D. Calas-Dobson DVM to Receive the 2008 Utah Latino Hero Award

The Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah will honor Dr. Yoeny Calas-Dobson of RiverWoods Pet Hospital, Provo, UT at a reception in Salt Lake City, September 18, 2008.

PROVO, UT  –  September 11, 2008:   The Regence BlueCross BlueShield Latino Heroes Campaign has chosen Dr. Yoeny Calas-Dobson DVM as their Utah Latino Hero for 2008 from the many distinguished nominees as a result of her generous and outstanding service to not only the Hispanic community but to all of the residents of Utah.

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