Cold Weather Common Sense -- Posted by AERC_Staff on Tuesday, October 9 2007
USE COLD WEATHER COMMON SENSE TO PROTECT PETS
With the mercury falling within the next few months, Animal Emergency Referral Center advises pet owners to be aware of special precautions and animal care tips to keep their pets healthy, happy, and warm.
“There are a variety of dangers associated with cold weather and pets,” says Dr. Quantz. “Pet owners can take a few simple steps to ensure their pet’s health and safety in the coming winter months.”
Animal Emergency Referral Center recommends these cold weather precautions:

•Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets indoors whenever possible or to provide appropriate shelter, water, and bedding if the pet must be left outside for any length of time during cold weather. Keep pets indoors for general health conditions such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease, and hormone imbalances. Younger and older pets also have compromised abilities to regulate body heat and should be kept indoors.

•Cats are attracted to the warmth of car engines. Check beneath the car, honk the horn or rap on the hood before starting the engine because they can be seriously, if not fatally, injured if the car is started.

•If clean water is not readily available, pets are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters. This puts animals at risk of poisoning from antifreeze, household chemicals, and other pollutants that end up on the street.

•Pet owners may dress their animals in sweaters or outer wear in an attempt to keep them warm, but remember pets lose most of their body heat from the pads on their feet, through their ears and respiratory track.

In addition to dropping temperatures, cold weather dangers for pets include precipitation and wind. Just as in humans, pets can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia during winter months. Although, southern California rarely sees snow, remember that any drop in temperature affects your pet a bit differently than it does you. When in doubt about the weather conditions, it’s best to leave pets indoors.

National Veterinary Technician Week -- Posted by AERC_Staff on Tuesday, October 9 2007
The National Veterinary Technicians in America, Inc. (NAVTA), has proclaimed October 14-20, 2007, as National Veterinary Technican Week. The event is celebrated annually to recognize veterinary technicians for their contributions to the animal health care team and the Animal Emergency Referral Center is please to honor those team members.

"Our Team Cares for Your Animals" is the theme for this year's NVTW activities bringing to the forefront, the very nature of this caring profession. Veterinary Technicians have attended and graduated from and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited Veterinary Technician Program. After graduation, in most states, the veterinary technician is required by law to have taken and passed a credentialing exam in order to practice in a veterinary clinic. Their duties within a veterinary practice vary but most consist of:

Pathology/Lab skills (obtaining & analyzing laboratory samples)

Nursing/Anesthesia (assisting in surgery, administering medications, recovery of patients, emergency/critical care nursing)

Hospital Management/Client Relations

Radiology

The Veterinary Technician performs all of these duties with their patient in mind. Please join the Animal Emergency Referral Center in taking a moment to thank these hard working individuals who care for all animals in the field of veterinary medicine!

When Is It An Emergency? -- Posted by AERC_Staff on Tuesday, May 1 2007
Have you ever been in a situation where Rover slips on his way down the stairs and now he walks with a limp at 11:00 at night? What do you do? Should you call your veterinarian, or just wait until morning?

Animal Emergency Referral Center encourages owners to call. If you’re concerned about your pet, you should never be embarrassed about calling a veterinarian. Most veterinary hospitals provide referrals to emergency hospitals. Remember, you know your pet better than anyone else. If you notice your pet behaving in a way that’s unusual, or something just isn’t right, you may have picked up on a sign of a real problem. By asking a few questions over the phone, an emergency hospital should be able to tell you whether or not you should bring your pet in immediately. Even if you find out nothing’s wrong, you’ll be able to put your mind at ease.

There are some times, however, when you won’t need to call first. If you notice any of the following problems, bring your pet in immediately for emergency care.

Your pet has experienced some kind of trauma, such as being hit by a car or a blunt object or falling more than a few feet.
•Your pet is not breathing or you can’t feel a heartbeat
•Your pet is unconscious and won’t wake up
•Your pet has been vomiting or had diarrhea for more than 24 hours
•You suspect any broken bones
•Your pet is having trouble breathing or something is stuck in his throat
•Your pet is having or has had a seizure
•Your pet is bleeding from the eyes, nose, or mouth, or there is blood in his urine or feces
•You think your pet might have ingested something toxic, such as antifreeze, rat poison, any kind of medicine that wasn’t prescribed to him, or household cleaners
•Your pet, particularly your male cat, is straining or unable to urinate
•You pet shows signs of extreme pain, such as whining, shaking, and refusing to socialize
•Your pet collapses or suddenly can’t stand
•Your pet bumps into things or is disoriented
•Your pet’s abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch, and he/she is gagging and trying to vomit
•You see symptoms of heatstroke
•Your pregnant dog or cat has not delivered a puppy/kitten for more than three to four hours

Hospital Receives AAHA Accreditation -- Posted by AERC_Staff on Wednesday, April 25 2007

Animal Emergency Referral Center has received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

Only 12 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association.  In order to maintain accredited status, Animal Emergency Referral Center must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s trained consultants.

Animal Emergency Referral Center belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine,” says Michael P. Andrews, DVM, AAHA president.  “AAHA hospitals pass stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols.  By attaining accreditation, Animal Emergency Referral Center is demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients.

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more the 36,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals.  Established in 1933, the association is well know among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care.  Ask our team members about AAHA Accreditation.