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A Pet Oxygen Mask Set for Every Fire Truck Can Save Pets’ Lives

“Bark 10-4™” Campaign Created to Help Fire Departments Across America Get Pet Oxygen Masks

Courtesy of Smiths Medical

Norwell, MA, October 1, 2009 – Annually, an estimated half million pets are affected by fires in the United States and more than 40,000 pets die each year due to smoke inhalation. With the right equipment, police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) rescuers can often save a pet’s life. Losing a pet in a house fire can be a devastating experience for a family member. SurgiVet® Pet Oxygen Masks are effective with dogs, cats and other companion animals, but only if they are on hand at the scene of an emergency.

Smiths Medical, the US manufacturer of the SurgiVet® brand of animal health products, announced today that it has teamed up with Bark Buckle UP® to launch the “Bark 10-4™” campaign. During October, which is National Fire Safety Month, industry leaders and pet safety experts Bark Buckle UP®, and Pet Safety Lady™ Christina Selter are teaming up with Smiths Medical and fire departments nationwide to launch the “Bark 10-4™” campaign to raise awareness of the need for Pet Oxygen Masks.

Currently, most of the more than 30,000 fire departments and EMS offices nationwide have more than one truck, and funds to purchase Pet Oxygen Masks often fall short.

The “Bark 10-4™” Campaign was created with the goal of getting a Pet Oxygen Mask on board every fire truck in the country by encouraging the public to sponsor the purchase of Pet Oxygen Masks for their local fire departments. A $25 sponsorship ensures that one mask can be purchased for a fire department; a $65 sponsorship buys a mask set, which includes a small, medium, and large mask.

Sponsorship can be completed at www.Bark10-4.com or from a link at www.surgivet.com. The sponsor designates the specific fire department to receive the gift, which will be delivered with the shipping/handling costs paid by Smiths Medical.

“Vets have used oxygen masks designed especially for animals for years,” according to Regina McIntosh, Vice President of Marketing for Smiths Medical North America. “These masks have found their way into the hands of first responders primarily through word of mouth and the generosity of compassionate pet owners. This program will go a long way toward raising awareness about a product that can save a lot of pets’ live.”

“The mask only works if it is on the truck,” states Jose M.Torres, Battalion Chief ‘A’ Platoon Santa Monica (California) Fire Department. “Together we can save pets’ lives.”

For more information or to participate in the Bark 10-4™ program, visit: www.Bark10-4.com or contact Tammy Dahlstrom at Dahlstrom@aol.com. For more product information about the Pet Oxygen Masks, contact Lisa Huston at Lisa.huston@smiths-medical.com.

About Bark 10-4™

Bark Buckle UP®, is a nationally recognized innovative leader in pet safety that created the program Bark 10-4™ to assist first responders and the public on pet emergency issues and needs. With tours throughout the USA and Canada, and company volunteers in over 20 cities, Bark Buckle UP® leads the charge for educating and promoting awareness for pet safety. For more media information about the Bark 10-4™ campaign, visit: www.Bark10-4.com or www.BarkBuckleUP.com

About Pet Safety Lady™, Christina Selter

Pet Safety Lady™, Christina Selter works closely with Fire, Police, Coast Guard, and EMT personnel who support the pet safety program. She has been featured on television, radio, international auto shows, pet expos, news articles, and guest speaking engagements nationwide. For more information about Pet Safety Lady™, visit www.petsafetylady.com

Smiths Medical

www.smiths-medical.com designs, manufactures, and distributes a line of veterinary-specific medical devices under the SurgiVet® brand. SurgiVet® is a globally recognized brand of products specific to the animal health industry, including a comprehensive range of monitoring devices, anesthesia systems, and critical care consumables. Smith Medical is part of the global technology business Smiths Group.

Provided by MWI Messenger November 2009

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Canine & Feline

Senior Wellness Programs

You may have a senior best friend who may need special attention and would benefit from our Senior Wellness Program. Our pets are very important to us, as they provide us with companionship and unconditional love. As pet owners ourselves, we at Evers Veterinary Clinic are dedicated to helping our pets live longer with the best possible quality of life. As a result, we have designed a comprehensive Senior Wellness Program for our senior friends.

As a caring owner, you play a key role in helping your senior pet remain healthy. As dogs and cats age, they, like people, have a greater risk of developing certain diseases and conditions. Around the age of seven, dogs and cats begin to enter their "golden" years. A touch of gray around the muzzle, increasing cloudiness in the eyes and a less-frisky gait are some of the more obvious physical changes you might see in your senior dog or cat. Other changes may be more subtle. Exactly when these changes occur will vary from pet to pet, influenced by factors such as genetics, the environment, and nutrition. Because dogs and cats age much faster than humans, it is important to examine senior pets, every six (6) months.

It takes a watchful eye to recognize what may be early signs of disease or health problems. Often when you see outward signs of disease, your pet has already lost significant organ function and has actually been dealing with this diseased state for some time. Common senior pet diseases are obesity, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, dental disease, pancreatitis, thyroid disease, Cushing’s disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. Dogs and cats also suffer from a decline in cognitive function similar to dementia or senility in humans. However, when such conditions are diagnosed in their early stages, treatment to cure such disorders or delay their progress can be given in many, if not most, cases.

With frequent checkups, at least twice a year, we can screen for common senior diseases. By diagnosing and treating problems earlier, we may be able to slow the disease process and prevent pain and discomfort. Once the tests are completed we hope everything is found to be normal! Normal results still give us valuable “baseline data” on which to compare future results and detect even small changes. This way we can work with you to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

If you have a pet over the age of seven and think you may be interested in participating in our Senior Wellness Program, please contact one of our Evers Veterinary Clinic staff members. Our goal is to keep your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.

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Heartworm Awareness

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Rattlesnake Risks for Dogs

Rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats.

They are found in wetlands, deserts and forests, from sea level to mountain elevations. Rattlesnakes are most active in warmer seasons, from Spring to Autumn. In southern latitudes they are occasionally found year-round.

Dogs are at risk for rattlesnake bite.

Dogs can encounter a rattlesnake anytime they are in rattlesnake habitat. You and your dog may live in rattlesnake habitat. Perhaps you travel through or frequently visit places where rattlesnakes are found. Maybe rattlesnakes are around when you take your dog hiking, camping or hunting. Like people, dogs may stumble over the location of a snake by accident. Curiosity or a protective instinct can place your dog at risk. In each case, vaccination helps to protect her.

Damage caused by rattlesnake bite can be serious.

When injected into an unprotected dog, the toxic components of snake venom are very painful and can have serious consequences. Even if your dog survives the immediate effects of a rattlesnake bite, she can be permanently injured.

Treatment of rattlesnake bite is expensive.

Treatment of snakebite may include antivenom injections which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Use of antivenom is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects which can complicate a dog’s recovery. Other costs of snakebite treatment may include hospitalization, intravenous fluids or other medicines. Vaccination is safer than antivenom treatment. Vaccination can reduce the overall effects of snakebite, reduce or eliminate the need for antivenom, and decrease other treatment costs as well.

Protocol for prevention.

The first year your dog is vaccinated, she should receive two doses of vaccine spaced one month apart. Subsequent booster doses are recommended annually in the Spring, or about a month before you take your dog into rattlesnake habitat.

The vaccine stimulates your dog's own immunity.

This process makes vaccination safer than antivenom treatment. Protective antibodies made by your dog in response to the vaccine start neutralizing venom immediately. On average, antibody levels in recently vaccinated dogs are comparable to treatment with three vials of antivenom. This means vaccinated dogs should experience less pain and a reduced risk of permanent injury from rattlesnake bite.

Snakebite is always an emergency.

Even after your dog is vaccinated against rattlesnake venom, she should be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation and care as soon as possible following snakebite. Even bites by non-venomous snakes can lead to serious infections and antibiotic treatment may be needed. A veterinarian can determine if your dog is sufficiently protected for the specific type of snake involved and the amount of venom injected, or whether additional medical treatment would be helpful.

There are many different poisonous snakes.

Red Rock Biologics is developing a variety of vaccines to provide the best protection against poisonous snakes for dogs in each part of the country. Ask your veterinarian which available vaccine formulation is best for your dog.

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