Catnip

Catnip is an herb in the mint family and is safe to use around rabbits. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/San-Clemente-CA/Mikes-Pet-Care/189572726193?ref=mf

H1N1 strikes New York dog

H1N1 strikes New York dog. http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/649382.

Fighting dog, mutilated and survives. See her story.

A Symbol of Hope for Fighting Dogs. Please check out this amazing dog!! http://bit.ly/76mZrb

Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Products

Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets. http://bit.ly/VLMGo

How to use a gentle leader

a good video on how to use a gentle leader. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6XMb2XRVVs

FDA approves first human insulin for veterinary use

FDA approves first human insulin for veterinary use. http://bit.ly/6zP62X

Tapetum lucidum

ever wonder why dogs and cats eyes glow in pics and with headlights? they have a part in their eye called the tapetum lucidum. it reflects light again so they can see better at night. http://bit.ly/5iZeC3

Rescued Puppy

Rescued a puppy last night. She is safely at the San Clemente Shelter waiting on her new home. http://www.petprojectfoundation.org/

Bacteria warning issued at Huntington's Dog Beach

Beach Bacteria Warning: HB dog lovers and surfers. http://bit.ly/2vtorl

FDA issues health alert on beef hooves, pig ears

FDA issues health alert on beef hooves, pig ears.National Report -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded a voluntary recall initiated by PetSmart on Pet Carousel products Nov. 6. http://bit.ly/R35uX

Help stop Korea's pet torture

Please raise awareness to Korea's torture of dogs & cats. http://bit.ly/2u5UTd

IFER-International Foundation for Ethical Research

The International Foundation for Ethical Research is dedicated to supporting the development and implementation of scientifically valid alternatives that refine, reduce, or replace the use of live animals in research, product testing, and classroom education.http://www.ifer.org/

Feline Diabetes

Approx 1 in 400 cats develop feline diabetes mellitus. Feed a diet of low cal/high protein. http://bit.ly/4nbLka

Great Ape Protection Act

Help the Great Ape Protection act pass! http://www.pcrm.org/newsletter/oct09/chimps.html

Victory for Sheep in Minnesota, Pigs in New Jersey!

http://www.pcrm.org/newsletter/oct09/victory.html

Millions of Animals Saved from Chemical Toxicity Tests

http://www.pcrm.org/newsletter/oct09/millions_saved.html

Pet Care/Sitting Dana Point

medical pet care & pet sitting, san clemente, dana point, san juan capistrano, laguna niguel, & laguna beach. www.mikespetcare.com

CPR now offered

I now offer CPR via endotracheal intubation, extrathoracic compressions and positive pressure respiration as part of my service in the event that one of my client's pets collapse while I am visiting. This will be rare, but I am glad that I have the training & the equipment. http://twitter.com/1967bsa

Labor Day ..

I still have availability for Labor Day weekend. Call to schedule your appointment. 949.246.3835 or www.mikespetcare.com

CAUTION WITH FLEA USING CERTAIN FLEA PRODUCTS

There are some very unsafe flea products. Here is a link giving some great info on these products and their ingredients. http://tinyurl.com/p6becv

Treat Fleas Year Round

I run into many clients who only treat their pets as needed for fleas. For our area that should be the entire year, give or take December and January. Pets run the risk of nasty flea bite dermatitis and tapeworms. Whether oral or topical find the treatment that works for your pet and he or she will thank you! http://twitter.com/1967bsa

The Benefits of Spaying your dog early

The chance of your dog developing mammary cancer if you get her spayed before her first heat is 0.05%. This is a very low number. If you wait until after her first heat this number jumps to 8%. If you wait till her second heat it jumps to 26%. This is very significant. Unless you are planning on having a litter then my strong suggestion is to get your female dog spayed at 4-6 months. Hopefully you find this information helpful. http://www.mikespetcare.com

Animal Testing - Right or Wrong?

As most people I am an animal rights advocate. There is still an enormous amount of animal testing being done by the government, military and private companies. I wanted to post a link for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Please visit this site to get information and see how you can help with animal rights. You can email me at mike@mikespetcare.com. The link to PCRM is below. Thank you, Mike

Referrals

Hi Everyone,

Just a note that I am looking for your referrals. Your friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. I live and die by referrals & would really appreciate it if you could pass my info on to someone if you have used me in the past. If you do a search for pet sitting in San Clemente or pet care San Clemente I come up on the first page in Google maps. If you have used me in the past, placing a review would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to continue building relationships and welcome any emails or calls regarding your pup or kitty. Have a great summer!

Mike~

Rattlesnakes are out!

It's rattlesnake season here in San Clemente. Just a warning to keep an eye out for them on the trails on the beach or up in the hills as they like to sun. There is a rattlesnake vaccine that I recommend. THIS DOES NOT MAKE YOUR PET IMMUNE TO THE BITE, but does boost the immune system to combat the venom and buys your pet some time. You still need to get your pet to a vet immediately. Talk to your vet for more information. Email me at mike@mikespetcare.com if you have any ?'s. Have a good summer!

Pet Care & Pet Sitting in Laguna Beach

I had an interesting appointment in Laguna Beach, CA yesterday. It was a physical therapy session for a Min Schnauzer that has a lower lumbar bulging disc & is having problems getting up the hundreds of stairs they have at their home. I consulted with the owner and through the vet's instructions I attempted to perform some ROM (range of motion) P/T. Although the dog was territorial at first, I did get him to be compliant with patience and a muzzle. We did some ROM standing up and it was quite successful. This leads me to the reason for my post. I am looking for more medical oriented clientele in Laguna Beach and wanted to post that information. My goal is to make this doggie's life a little less painful...

San Clemente Times Article

I want to thank Norb Garrett for running an anniversary story on Mike's Pet Care this last week!

Cocoa mulch can be deadly to dogs

As spring approaches, people will start to tend their lawns and gardens. Many will consider using cocoa bean mulch as a fertilizer. Made from spent cocoa beans used in chocolate production, cocoa bean mulch is organic, deters slugs and snails, and gives a garden an appealing chocolate smell. However, it also attracts dogs, which can easily be poisoned by eating the mulch.
Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines. In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.
Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death. (In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.)
If you suspect that your dog has eaten cocoa bean mulch, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Treatment will depend on how much cocoa bean mulch your dog has eaten, when the mulch was eaten, and whether your dog is sick. Recommended care may include placing your dog under veterinary observation, inducing vomiting, and/or controlling a rapid heart beat or seizures.

My coupon at this year's Wagathon

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to let you know that for the first time there will be a valuable coupon towards Mike's Pet Care for new clients in the goody bag given out to the first 1000 guests at this year's Wagathon in Dana Point. This is my third year with Mike's Pet Care and I continue to provide a much needed service, especially to the geriatric and medically challenged community. I have received enormous feedback and look forward to continue to help anyone I can with their pets. Feel free to call or email if you have any questions about your babies. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Mike Russell / RVT

Pet Sitters San Clemente

Pet Sitters San Clemente! Pet Sitters San Clemente! Pet Sitters San Clemente!

Sun Post Article

Thanks to the Sun Post and their staff for publishing an article on Mike's Pet Care last Saturday. Click the link to view the latest article...
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pet-pets-help-2320455-care-feel

Sun Post Article

I wanted to post a big Thank You to Rod Foster of Rod Foster Photography. I am working on an article for the Sun Post and Rod came by to shoot the picture that they will feature. Rod is very professional but also very laid back. He made it a breeze. Check out his site at www.rodfoster.com