Rat-Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is a bacterial condition that can affect people handling pet rodents.. According to the CDC, people can contract rat-bite fever from bites or scratches from infected rodents, such as rats, mice and gerbils, or even just by handling an animal with the disease without a bite or scratch. It can also be contracted by consuming food or drink contaminated with the bacteria. It is not spread from person to person.  In humans, symptoms of this bacterial condition do not manifest for two to four weeks after exposure to the infected pet.  Rat bite symptoms are visually seen in most cases and include inflammation around the open sore. A rash can also spread around the area and appear red or purple. Other symptoms associated with  rat bite fever include chills, fever, vomiting, headaches, and muscle aches. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are highly effective at treating rat-bite fever, and it is rarely fatal, according to the CDC. The agency recommends that people who handle rats or clean their cages wear protective gloves, wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their mouths with their hands after being in contact with rodents.

$7.00 Rabies Vaccine Clinic

Our hospital is going to be offering a $7.00 Rabies Vaccine Clinic from March 3 to March 14, 2014. By appointment only. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make reservations.

Nutrition and Allergies

 Pets can have allergies to foods or environmental allergens. Food allergens include ingredients commonly found in pet foods such as animal proteins and grains. If your pet has a food allergy, it may cause intense itching, loose stools, flatulence and vomiting. Sometimes a simple change in diet can correct the symptoms of the allergy. However, we recommend you consult a veterinarian to decide which diet is the most appropriate for your pet.

The Pitbull Problem In Georgia

The animal control facilities across the state of Georgia are killing hundreds of pit bulls each week. Each homeless pit bull that dies in the street or sits helpless in a shelter is the product of a breeder, either intentionally or acciden...tally. Responsible pit bull owners have their dogs spayed or neutered. This is crucial to fixing the pit bull overpopulation crisis throughout our state. Pit bull owners have many resources available to help them afford to spay or neuter their dogs. One of those resources is our Low Cost Spay and Neuter Program that our hospital offers to the local residents of Clayton, Fulton and Henry counties. We also accept applications for the Georgia Department of Agriculture Spay and Neuter Program and vouchers from the Clayton Humane Society. For more information about our Low Cost Spay & Neuter Program please call (404) 366-4370.

Apoquel: New Medication To Treat Allergies In Dogs

New Product! We are very excited about this new medication for the treatment of allergies in dogs. APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) is a novel, first-in-class, targeted therapy that provides dogs fast itch control without many of the side effects associated with steroids. This medication is now available at our hospital and via our online store. By prescription only.

 

The Cat - Human Bond

Research suggests that cats treat humans in much the same way that they treat other cats, suggesting that they may be unable to conceptualize the difference between the species. Dogs, on the other hand, behave markedly differently when confronted with a human, suggesting a more sophisticated awareness of species status.