Carroll County Animal Hospital

Happy Halloween! Be careful trick-or-treating and make sure you leave the super heroes behind to guard your house while your out! (@noah_and_lincoln @animals.inwildlife)

Tomorrow is the Big Day! Halloween is here are now's a great time to review some safety topics for your pets. Candy: a lot will be passed around, handed out and traded tomorrow and it's a good idea to remind kids that chocolates, sugar-free candies, brownies and chocolate chip cookies are toxic to dogs. are also harmful to pets. This is one of the only times that you'll be telling the little ones NOT to share their goodies, right? Stick with flameless candles and batte...ry operated lights when you can! Curious kittens and puppies can be mesmerized with the real thing and get burned if jack-o-lanterns are knocked over or if they become entangled in strings of lights. Fake cobwebs can also entangle pets and glow sticks can be poisonous if broken open or chewed up. Costumes can be restrictive and pose choking hazards if there are pieces that can be chewed off. It's always a good idea to have a test-run before the Big Night to see if the costume fits properly or causes any stress for your pets before they wear them for an extended time. Masks and costumes on trick-or-treaters, constant doorbell ringing and door knocking also causes stress for cats who are used to a quiet environment and for dogs that believe their role in life is to protect the home and guard their space! If trick-or-treaters come to your home you can reduce the amount of stress for your pet by: ***sitting outside so you meet the kids before they reach the front door ***placing pets in the back of the house or basement in a quiet room with a comfortable place to relax with a chew toy and play soft music or the TV (make sure you put a sign on the door if you're having guests over) ***spray the room with Feliway for cats which is a natural stress reducer spritz available on Amazon or at pet retailers. If you have a super-social dog that loves to be in on the action, make sure they have a reflective collar or harness on with an easy-to-spot ID tag in case they dart out the door or become separated from you during the noise and activities. Enjoy the day and call us for any needs you may have! We will be here from 8 a.m. til 9 p.m. all weekend! If you think that your pet has eaten any harmful substances after hours, call the ASPCA poison control hotline at (888)426-4438. See more

Meet Sharpay, a two year-old female guinea pig who was recently in for an abscess on her right hip. Cysts and abscesses are common in guinea pigs with most occurring along the jaw line or on their hip or back. They are pus-filled pockets that cause swelling and pain and usually result from a scratch from the environment or from a cage mate. Once the abscess is drained and the area cleaned, the pet will take antibiotics for a week or so to make sure the infection does not reoccur.

Today is National Chocolate Day and a good time to revisit why chocolate is so bad for your pets! Chocolates, with the exception of white chocolate, contain methylxanthines which are substances found in cacao seeds (also used to make coffee). This substance is toxic to dogs and causes: Increased heart rate Excitability Nausea and vomiting Excessive thirst and urination... Panting Abnormal heart rhythms Seizures Death in larger quantities When rating chocolate, dark chocolates contain more concentrated amounts of methylxanthines than milk chocolate. White chocolate contains insignificant amounts of methylxanthines, but is high in fat and sugar and can cause stomach upset. With Halloween coming up, kids can also help keep candy up high where pets can't reach them and reminded not to share their goodies with furry family members. If your pet eats chocolate, call our office (770)832-2475 or the ASPCA poison control hotline at (888)426-4435 even if you think it might have just been a small amount! See more

Today is National Black Cat Awareness Day (and October is Black Cat Awareness Month) when we attempt to dispel the myth that black cats bring bad luck, especially if they cross your path. Groucho Marx is famous for stating that "If a black cat crosses your path...it's probably going somewhere!" That sentiment seems to be true for most pet lovers who have a black cat in their life. In some areas, black cats are not adopted out from shelters during the month of October due t...o their abuse and misuse for Halloween pranks with subsequent abandonment. At other times of the year, shelters report that black cats are 50% less likely to be adopted out than other color coats. As with dogs, black is a dominant gene when it comes to coat color, so there are likely more black cats than other colors. This Halloween, you can help right the wrong and dispel the myth associating bad luck and black cats! If you're open for adopting a new fur baby, why not choose one with a beautiful black coat? See more

Today is National "Pitbull" Awareness Day founded in 2007 by Jody Preis of "Bless the Bullys", a Pitbull rescue in Tennessee. The goal of the movement is to restore the name of the American "Pitbull" Terrier that has become tarnished from decades of inbreeding and aggressive training by dog fighters. Pitbulls (officially known as American Staffordshire Terriers or Am-Staffs) were originally bred for bull-and bear-baiting in the 1800's in England, like several other muscular... breeds of dog like the Bull Terrier and the English Bulldog. However, as dog fighting became a sport in America(and continues now illegally), the breed has had a tarnished reputation based on the aggression that is fostered with fighting dogs. The AKC lists traits such as loyalty, gentleness and highly intelligent along with confident and good natured. A few facts about the breed: An Am-Staff named Stubby was the most decorated dog of World War I and earned the rank of Sergeant. The American Staffordshire Terrier was bred to be heavier than the English ancestors. The AKC first acknowledged the breed in 1936. They are highly trainable and love puzzles and mental challenges. While the Staffordshire Terrier has a long history of being lovable and loyal to children and other household pets, they also have a more recent history of unprovoked attacks that is followed closely by the news media. There are countries where legislation prevents owning Pitbulls. Bottom line: no dog should be left unattended with children or unfenced where they could roam free and merge with other dogs to form their innate "pack" tendencies. As with other breeds of dogs, it's best to check the background and temperament of the parents of puppies when available, purchase from a reputable breeder and train them with acceptable behavior from the puppy phase. See more

You can't be empty-handed if these guys come knocking on your door! We've got you covered with this yummy recipe for Peanut Butter Bacon Dog Treats! Perfect for Halloween and assembly is easy enough for the kids to get involved (ignore the flour on the floor, it's about memory making!). Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder... 1/2 cup crumbled bacon bits 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol) 3/4 cup hot water 1 egg, lightly beaten Preheat over to 350 degrees and line cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with non-stick oil. Mix flour, baking powder and bacon bits in large bowl and make a hole in the center. In another bowl, combine hot water, peanut butter and egg and mix well. Pour liquid mixture into center of flour mixture and combine well, adding more flour if dough is too sticky. Rollout on floured surface and cut out into desired shapes. Bake for 30-35 minutes until dry and light brown. Cool completely on wire rack and store enough cookies for a week in airtight bag on counter. Store remaining treats in an airtight bag in the freezer for up to two months. See more

Meet Timmy and Tonya, 6 week old Weimaraner puppies that came in for their first set of vaccinations. Weimaraners originated in Germany and are known for being loyal, fearless and obedient. They are in the sporting group and have lots of energy. Weimaraners need dedicated time for exercise for optimal obedience, health and contentment. Timmy may grow to be 90 pounds while Tonya will potentially top out at 70 pounds. (See second picture for an example of a full grown male.)

Check out the ferocious teeth on this little guy. Hope he's not waiting around the corner on Halloween! Happy Friday! We're here all weekend if your pets need a doctor or if they're overdue for a check-up and flea medications. With the cool evenings, fleas are looking for warm bodies to ride on! (@fayclup)

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and we want to help dispel a myth...that black dogs are less likely to be adopted than other colors. This is a commonly held(and repeated) theory that has been passed along for decades. However, a study by the ASPCA actually found that people who adopt shelter dogs do not choose their pets based on color and that black dogs do not stay in shelters longer than shelter-mates of a different color. One explanation for the rumor is that there... are simply more black dogs in shelters (and in the world) since black is a dominant gene for coat color. Therefore, shelter workers and volunteers are used to seeing more black dogs which have fewer distinguishing markings with their coats. In any case, dogs of every description deserve a chance at their forever home and in your hearts! If you have room to spare, consider adoption this holiday season. #ccah #carrollcountyanimalhospital #dog #dogs #blackdogs #dogsofinstagram #adoptadog #adoptashelterdog #dogparents #doglovers #dogsofinsta #dogparent #doglover #dogmom #dogdad #dogfamily #dogfacts #dogmyths #doglife #blackdogsofinstagram #petlovers #petparents #petlife #petfacts See more

Today is National Pets for Veterans Day, a day to increase awareness about organizations like Pets for Vets which pairs shelter animals with veterans who are in need of companionship. Pets for Vets finds suitable dogs (cats and a few rabbits as well) in shelters and foster homes and pairs them through an extensive matching service to a military veteran who desires a companion. The serviceperson finds purpose in helping a pet in need and the pet provides social and emotiona...l support for the veteran as well as easing loneliness, encouraging routine and overcoming trauma. Services like Pets to Vets and other non-profit veteran adoption groups benefit from donor support as well as volunteers that assist in all aspects of their program from fostering and training animals to running events and starting new chapters. For more information about how you can help, or if you know a veteran who could use help finding a well-trained, well-matched companion animal, reach out to https://www.petsforvets.com. See more

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month and a good time to talk about all of those electrical cords that are out for displays during the holiday season. Beginning with Halloween and running through Christmas, most festive lights and ghoulish displays require electricity. Many of the decorations involve extension cords with the perfect size and elasticity to feel like a chew toy for your pets, especially kittens and puppies that are teething! Chewing on ele...ctrical cords can not only produce burns in and around the mouth, it can produce breathing difficulties (coughing, shortness of breath and pink frothy phlegm), muscle spasm, heart rhythm disturbances, seizures and even death. If electrical cords are used for your seasonal displays, you can cover them with rugs, tape, tree skirts, or other deterrents to prevent your pets from unwanted harm. If you are concerned that your pet has come into contact with electrical cords, check their mouth and facial areas for grayish discolorations and take them to your veterinarian for follow-up for any issues that may not be detected with a visual inspection. See more

This is Harley, an 17 year old male Eclectus that came in last week for sinus congestion. Eclectus' are one of the few types of birds that are dimorphic, meaning that there are very distinct visual differences between the sexes. Males are bright green and have a "candy corn"-like beak. Females are deep scarlet and have a black beak.(See third picture as example.) An Eclectus is a type of parrot that has several different sub-types which are native to New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands. They are very active birds that prefer a lot of time out of their cage, interactive toys which can be manipulated and chewed, and plenty of time and attention from their owners.

We continue with several more Autumn dangers for your pets! Looking back, we've already covered mushrooms, antifreeze, fertilizers, Fall bulbs and decorations, fleas/ticks, open flames, apples, acorns, and compost. Today, let's look into: Kids' backpacks hold left-over lunch items and old snacks as do adult's work bags and purses. A favorite food item is grapes and raisins, but they are toxic to pets and can lead to kidney failure and even death. Macadamia nuts are also... a non-fatal no-no for dogs who become weak, lethargic, ataxic and GI distressed. Sugar-free gum, candy and mints are also a danger since the xylitol in those items can cause low blood sugar, seizures and death. Make sure your kids (and adults) know to keep lunch boxes on the counter and backpacks and bags hung on hooks out of pets' reach. Other backpack items like crayons, glue sticks, and permanent markers can cause GI distress if ingested. Pet costumes are cute and Insta-worthy, but make sure they're safe for your pet. If the costumes are stored with Halloween candy, some of the costume decorations could be mistaken for a treat and eaten. Pet costumes are also meant to be worn for short amounts of time and not to be worn during long walks (when trick-or-treating or at costume parties). Monitor your pet for over-heating and provide frequent water breaks and time out of the costume. Human makeup and face paints are not made for pets and may contain zinc oxide. Most dogs are extremely sensitive to any substance on their face because of the sensations on its whiskers and tiny face hairs so they will likely paw and lick off any substances you use. Even small amounts of zinc oxide have the ability to create nausea, diarrhea, heart and liver problems. If you have any concerns about what your pets have ingested, call our office during office hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day or after hours call the ASPCA Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435. See more