Pets

“Dear PoPville,

We just got a new puppy this weekend- her name is Maggie and she’s an 8-week-old Goldendoodle. We are in love.

Of course two days after we get her home, I open PoPville and I see the rabies report. I’m kinda freaking out because we literally just got her this weekend and she still needs all of her puppy shots.

With all this in mind, first- am I overreacting? and second- does anyone have any recommendations of vets in or around DC that offer comprehensive puppy vaccinations and checkups for one price? I remember with our first dog, Scout, we paid close to $1000 for all the startup vet visits, and I’m trying to avoid that the second time around. And in light of all the recent rabies reports, I want to make sure I get all of this squared away as soon as possible so Maggie doesn’t get sick.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Massoud Adibpour

Update:

“THIS IS THE INFO DOGMA IS SHARING WITH ITS PACK

DC dog lovers are upset and scared to learn recently that a 1.5-year-old bulldog, Fred, who was in the district as of July 17 was diagnosed with rabies. Fred was a boarding client at Dog-ma even though his family lived in VA. (They wanted him to be able to play outside, and Dog-ma is the only DC doggie daycare with large outside yards.) Fred, like every dog at Dog-ma, he could only join the pack after his humans provided vet documents showing he had up to date vaccinations.

Understandably, that a dog could contract rabies despite up-to-date vaccination is causing a serious reaction within the DC Health Department and DC Animal Control as well as among local vets. The Dept of Health and Fred’s vet suspect a problem with the vaccine batch used on Fred.

Fred was euthanized last week and the various agencies are conducting tests to pinpoint what form of rabies (bat or raccoon vector – it remains known how he got it) and his virus load during the past weeks. This is to determine possible exposures of the critters and humans Fred encountered during the last month of his life out on walks, at his home and at Dog-ma.

We wanted to share what we know and what our plans are to maintain the health and safety of all of the Dog-ma pack and staff: (more…)

“Her name is Heart…she is a tortie, and VERY shy…her sister cries for her. I live in the 1400 block of Florida Ave, NW near Meridian Hill. I am inconsolable. She is extremely shy, please don’t chase…my # is 202 538 6516.”

Thanks to Mike for sending this awesome shot from: “M Street, Navy Yard Metro.”

“I found this small Chihuahua/Jack Russell (?) mix with no microchip yesterday running through the streets of Petworth unaccompanied and with no collar. He needed some medical attention so I took him to the NY Avenue Humane Society after canvassing the neighborhood for most of the day … hopefully his owners have reached out to them. He’s a sweet old guy and I’m sure he misses his parent(s).”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

From the Humane Rescue Alliance:

“Fourth of July fireworks are a celebration of our nation’s heritage as we salute the founding of our country with friends and family. But not every member of the family is in on the celebration. Alexandra Dilley, Director of Behavior & Training at the Humane Rescue Alliance offers the following suggestions for pet owners and guardians to consider:

· The safest place for your pet is at home, not in a crowded, unfamiliar and noisy place. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks could make your pet panic and desperately seek shelter. Locking them in the car is also not an option; your pet may suffer heat stroke.

· Keep pets indoors with window shades and curtains closed. Turn on a television, radio, white noise machine and/or play “calming” music for your pets. Hours of calming music can be found on several YouTube channels.

· Create a safe place in the home for your cat or dog to hide. For example, open a closet door and put in a pet bed, creating an enclosed space with no windows. (more…)