FAQs

Adoption Process

This video walks you through the adoption process. You can also download the adoption form here. You can fill the form out at home and bring it in when you are ready to adopt your pet!

Pet Dangers:  The Top 10 Poisons

Visit a family with small children and you're likely to find a home where poisonous chemicals are locked up and medications are out of reach.  Unfortunately, the same isn't always true of homes with pets.  Last year, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases involving pets and toxic substances.  Based on these calls, the ASPCA developed a list of the top 10 poisons that can harm your pet:

1. Human medications
2. Insecticides
3. People food
4. Plants
5. Veterinary medications
6. Rodenticides
7. Household cleaners
8. Heavy metals
9. Garden products
10. Chemical hazards
11. Bad stuff

 In case of a poisoning emergency, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435.

What is Rabies?

It is a highly fatal virus infection of all warm blooded animals(cat, dog, fox, skunk, Horse, cow, etc.) It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Any animal showing symptoms of rabies will die within ten days. Therefore, It is important to quarantine any suspected case for ten days. If the animal Lives that long, it does not have rabies.

What symptoms does a rabid animal exhibit?

Symptoms can be very variable but generally include altered attitude or behavior, (nervousness, anxiety, aggressiveness, biting, snapping, licking, chewing, excitability, seizures, inability to swallow, salivation).

What steps should be taken when someone is bitten by an animal?

1. Clean and disinfect the wound and treat with antibiotics
2. Tetanus booster, if indicated
3. Quarantine the animal for ten days. If the animal lives for ten days, no other steps are indicated
4. If the animal dies during the ten day period, its brain should be examined for rabies
5. If the brain exam is positive, it will be necessary for the individual to undergo a series of inoculations

What is epilepsy?

It is a primary brain disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures Usually occur while the animal is sleeping, or at night. The seizures Generally last one to five minutes. Recovery may be immediate, or Last up to 24 hours. Typically, the animal becomes stiff, chomping His jaw, salivating, urinating, defecating, and paddling. Seizures Are not life threatening unless they last long periods of time. Treatment in not instituted unless the animal has more than one Seizure every four to six weeks. Treatment involves daily Medication with pills.

What vaccines should my dog have?

1. Canine distemper - a series of three shots as a puppy and then annual to three year boosters
2. A2 virus - This immunizes against canine hepatitis and parainfluenza, The same series as distemper
3. Parvo virus - a series of three shots as a puppy and annual boosters
4. Leptospirosis annual vaccinations
5. Corona virus - the same series as distemper
6. Lyme disease - annual vaccinations for all dogs with tick exposure
7. Rabies - annual to three year boosters, depending on the type of vaccine used

What vaccines should my cat have?

1. Feline distemper - two doses as a kitten, then annual boosters
2. Calicivirus - same schedule as feline distemper
3. Chlamydiosis - same schedule as feline distemper
4. Feline leukemia - two doses as a kitten, and annual boosters
5. Rabies - annual to three year vaccinations, depending on the type of vaccine used

What is parvo virus, and how does my dog get it?

Parvo is an infectious disease of dogs characterized by severe hemorrhagic Enteritis(bloody vomiting and diarrhea). It is transmitted from one dog to Another through body secretions, that is vomit or diarrhea. It affects dogs Of all ages but is most severe in pups 6-16 weeks of age.

How can parvo be prevented?

All dogs should be vaccinated against parvo. The vaccine is very effective. Any dog suspected of having parvo should be isolated. It is very important to Disinfect all areas occupied by a parvo animal! A 1:30 solution of bleach Should kill the virus.

What are round worms and how do dogs and cats get them?

These are relatively large worms (up to 10-12 cm in length) that live in the animal’s intestine. They produce thousands of eggs that are passed in the feces. These eggs hatch into larvae that are then injested by another animal. They can also be transmitted to pups in the uterus.

Why are round worms important both to animals and people?

In animals they cause minor to severe gastro intestinal problems that can result in death. People, especially children, can injest infected fecal material. The organisms cause liver and eye disease and can result in blindness.

What are hookworms and how do dogs and cats get them?

Hookworms are a microscopic blood sucking worm that attaches to the intestinal wall. The eggs are passed in fecal material and infect the next host by ingestion or by migration through the skin.

Why are hookworms important to animals and people?

Hookworms in dog and cats cause a severe a blood loss that can result in death. In people the hookworm larva migrates through the skin causing a condition called cutaneous larval migrans.

Under what conditions should a pet be put to sleep (euthanized)?

One of the most difficult decisions that a pet owner will ever have to make is euthanasia. Is the pet so extremely ill or so severely injured that it will never be able to resume a good quality of life? If this is the case, then the pet should be euthanized. If there is a question of the animals’s condition, we should ask ourselves if this pet is enjoying life. If the answer is yes, then we should not euthanize the pet. If the answer is no, then it would probably be a blessing for the pet to be euthanized. Other considerations: Euthanasia might be necessary if the pet has become vicious, Dangerous, or unmanageable. Economic, emotional, space limitations, or changes in life style may necessitate euthanasia.

What is red mange?

This is a an inflammatory skin disease of dogs, caused by a mite, called Demodex canis. It generally occurs in dogs under one year of age, but it can also occur in older animals with a compromised immune system. In the young dog it requires a hereditary predisposition to catch it. It is generally treated with injections or dips. It is not transmitted between animals or people.

What is sarcoptic mange?

This is a skin disease of dogs and cats caused by the sarcoptic mange Mite. It is highly transmissible between animals and people. It is characterized by extreme itching and hair loss. It is treated with injections and dips.

What are ear mites?

Ear mites are a very common cause of ear infections in dogs and cats. The mites cause an inflammation of the ear canal causing the pet to scratch the ear or shake the head. They are treated with local insecticides or injections.

Paul Wysock, VMD

Advisory Board Member of Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter