Second Chance: Puppies & Preventable Serious Stuff

22 Jan Second Chance: Puppies & Preventable Serious Stuff

I love puppies. I love their roly-poly little bodies, their teeny, tiny, waving tails, and their milky sweet puppy breath. So seeing them in the Critical Care Unit at CSU when I did my clinical rotation always made my gut hurt. There were only two circumstances under which we saw puppies – both of which are preventable – and thus the focus of today’s Pet Column.

Donner

The first circumstance was Parvo.

Parvo is a virus which literally eats the inner lining of a puppy’s intestine and is known for bloody diarrhea and vomiting, which usually either results in an $1800 veterinary hospitalization bill or the untimely death of the puppy or, often times, both.

The good thing is the virus is completely preventable. It is important to know, however, the required vaccinations come in a series. Getting one shot does not protect your new pet. One additional booster shot, sometimes two, depending on the age the puppy is required after the initial shots. If your new puppy has not been vaccinated, get that done immediately.

The second preventable CCU puppy circumstance is trauma, almost always caused by a ride in the back of a pickup truck. Yes, all dogs love the feel of wind through their fur and on their face. But they can get that same feeling through slightly open window, where their lives are not at risk.

Why subject pups to the bed of a pickup where one quick stop could turn them into a launched projectile.

Spend some time in a Veterinary Critical Care unit and I’ll bet you’ll never let your dog ride in the truck bed again.

In a car or cab next to you, they get to feel more like part of the family…

So speaking of puppies, there are some at Second Chance right now who are ready for their new homes! Take Donner, for example, a little 12-week Chihuahua mix boy who is well socialized, neutered, and vaccinated. He is feeling left out because he is the last of his litter to remain unadopted.

And fortunately kitties don’t get Parvo and generally they are not forced to ride in the back of a pick-up, but they too need vaccinations against other viruses and are always in need of homes.

King

If felines are more up your alley you can visit the King of the Cats, whose name is King…

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff & Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)