56 Medication disposal event on April 28, 2018

Our local cities are teaming up with Lewisville school district and the Drug Enforcement Agency to hold a free medication disposal event. The goal of this operation is two-fold: to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and increased awareness of this critical public health issue. Plus it is a safe way to disposed of expired prescription and Over The Counter Drugs, for humans and pets. ). This a great way to keep medications OUT of the landfills and water supply. For more information-https://www.lisd.net/Page/1587

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As with past events, the Lewisville disposal location will be the parking lot of Lewisville High School at 1098 West Main Street. Many other cities are participating in this event, and all the high schools in the LISD are involved ( Marcus, Flower Mound, Hebron and The Colony)

This is a great opportunity for those who have missed previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. So check out those medicine cabinets and dog medicine stashes and get rid of expired medicines!

55 What is a “Dangerous Dog”?

After the recent attack of a woman in South Dallas by 4 dogs, I have heard this phrase being used. Legally, Texas defines a Dangerous Dog as one that “makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own.”
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/tx-dangerous-subchapter-d-dangerous-dogs
In the recent attack, there were 4 dogs outside their fence: 2 pit bull terrier mixes, 1 boxer mix, and a Queensland heeler mix. None were current on rabies vaccination, not spayed or neutered, and not microchipped. (But the neighbors knew whose dogs they were). Certainly, 4 medium to large dogs “at large”, or roaming the neighborhood can be hazardous. Dogs in a pack can behave very differently than individual dogs, just like teenagers. I see lots of pit bulls, and don’t believe they are more aggressive to humans than other breeds, but they can be dog aggressive. I also caution my pit bull owners to always have the best behaved and well trained dog on the block because they will always get blamed because of the breed’s “reputation”.
When a human gets injured, especially in this case, they seek medical attention. The doctors often are the first to report that a bite has taken place. That triggers the local Animal Control to investigate, ensuring proper management of biting animals, and enforcing local and state rabies laws. Usually, if the pet is current on rabies vaccination, they can be quarantined at home for 10-14 days, and then released. If the rabies vaccination is not current, they will have to be quarantined at Animal Control. If the animal is suspected to be rabid, euthanasia might be recommended, and the head will be sent to Austin to be checked for rabies. There is no “blood test” for rabies. Sometimes after the pet completes the rabies quarantine, the owner does not want the dog back. Or they can’t afford to fix the fence, get all their vaccines, etc. It doesn’t always end happily. In the South Dallas case, the owner authorized euthanasia on all 4 so they could be tested for rabies so the victim wouldn’t have to go through rabies treatment while waiting the 10 days of quarantine.
If owners elect to keep a dog that has attacked a person, a judge might legally deem the dog “dangerous”, and that triggers another set of rules to follow. Those owners must register their dog, keep them vaccinated for rabies, provide proof of homeowners insurance, have them microchipped, keep the fences locked and childproof, and have their fences inspected regularly. They can’t go out in public without a muzzle.
https://www.cityoflewisville.com/about-us/city-services/animal-services/animal-services-ordinances
So a legal “dangerous dog” has to have an unprovoked attack on a human (not a pet), that causes bodily injury, outside the pet’s normal enclosure. If a person comes into your home or fenced yard, and the dog bites them, this doesn’t apply since they were in their normal enclosure. If two dogs “fence fight” and one gets injured, this doesn’t apply. If a dog on leash bites a stranger that wasn’t provoking it, it might be deemed a “dangerous dog”. I worry about some of my canine patients that just don’t like children, are out on a leash, minding their own business, when a child runs up to it and tries to hug them. Those dogs feel provoked, and might bite a child in the face or hands.
The bottom line is keep all your pets (cats too) vaccinated against rabies for your legal protection, and make sure they can’t get out of the yard, or off leash. You are legally responsible for any damages that your pet causes, including injuring another human. Fortunately, most home owners’ insurance policies cover this. If you see a dog “at large”, call Animal Control. They are trained to handle lost, scared, fearful dogs and cats. They can scan them for microchip and identification. And they will be the first place a concerned owner will call to find them.
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/tx-dangerous-subchapter-d-dangerous-dogs

54 Just Add Water

Last week I attended a veterinary seminar on IV fluid therapy. We reviewed when to start intravenous fluids, how much, and which kinds to give depending on the pet’s illness and blood test results.
I was reminded about how important water intake and basic hydration status can affect the health of our pets and us. If Fido or Fluffy become just 5% dehydrated, it is significant. And that can happen easily on a hot day without fresh water to drink, or with diarrhea and vomiting. When they get to 8% dehydrated, they are seriously dehydrated, and we need to intervene quickly.
Most of the time, my patients can drink water and stay hydrated. I was taught “if the gut works, use it.” Sometimes we give fluids subcutaneously instead of oral or intravenous. But I don’t hesitate to go IV if I have to. Staying hydrated all the time is critical to life.
Drinking plenty of water is also very important for my older patients with kidney disease, diabetes, bladder infection, or bladder stones. I talk to owners every day about this.
http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-conditions/warning-signs-dehydration-dogs/
I was pondering this as I was flattened by kidney stone pain a few days later. I have passed numerous kidney stones in the last 10 years, and I know I need to stay hydrated and drink lots of water, but I fail sometimes. I like tea and coffee which are diuretic, and they can leave me a little dehydrated.
We are fortunate in Lewisville to have outstanding local water, rated “Superior Public Water Supply,” so I can’t blame the tap water or justify buying bottled water. Good old tap H20 should be just what the doctor ordered to prevent more stones. But I struggle following my own advice.
https://www.cityoflewisville.com/about-us/departments-services/public-services/water-production
The bottom line is pets and humans need to stay hydrated. So watch your pet’s water consumption and urination. Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times. And if they aren’t drinking normally, or having losses like vomit and diarrhea, bring them in immediately. Dehydration is serious, but sometimes we just have to add water.

53 Local Pet Friendly Events April 5, 2018

I have found 4 fun family and pet events to share with you.

Colorpalooza, Saturday. April 14, 2018. 10am-5 pm. This will be in Downtown Lewisville, at the new Wayne Ferguson Plaza across from City Hall. There will be lots of kid events, and a Pet art activity is scheduled at 10 am.
For more information: https://www.cityoflewisville.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/21170/668

Paws in the Park, Saturday April 21, 2018. 9am-2 pm This Annual event will be at the Gene Carey Animal Adoption Center (formerly Animal Shelter) at Railroad Park. There will be dozens of booths, Weenie dog races and food vendors. For more information call 972.219.3478.
https://www.cityoflewisville.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/24880/22

Campout at Pilot Knoll Park In Highland Village. Sat April 21 2:30 pm- Sun April 22 11 am
This is a fun family campout, and pets on leashes are welcome. The cost is $50 for the campsite, meals, S’mores and a movie! Registration deadline is April 13.
http://highlandvillage.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=1240&month=4&year=2018&day=21&calType=0

Flower Mound Concerts in the Park, Friday nights starting in May, 7pm. These will be at Heritage Park in south Flower Mound and is free. Pets on leashes are allowed and there are nearby dog parks. No alcohol or glass is permitted.
http://www.flower-mound.com/1370/Concerts