Helpful Info

As a provider of services for animals, we strive to help clients plan for the unexpected. This is why we have created a number of helpful articles, videos and handouts to educate, or remind pet owners to plan for the unexpected.

For any of the items listed below, all that is required is to simply stop by the hospital at 2556 E. Broadway Street, Pearland, Texas 77581. You can find us on Broadway (F.M. 518) between Pearland Parkway and Liberty Drive.

Our newest service is free cards that can be picked up at Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital. These cards are designed to be carried with you so, should it be needed, others will know you have a pet at home that needs to be cared for. We often try to avoid thinking that we may become injured or just unable to return home. But it does happen. Please stop by the clinic and pick up one or more of these free cards and share them with anyone you know that lives alone and has pets. No obligation and you don’t have to be a client of Claws & Paws. It could save the life of that pet.

We have worked out an agreement with Poop Troops to offer one free month of yard pet waste pickup, with no strings attached. All you have to do is contact them at 877.930.POOP (7667) and tell them you heard about them from Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital in Pearland. When signing up for this free month of service, you will be asked for credit card information, but you can cancel at any time. Many of our staff have signed up for this service and are very, very happy with not only the service received, but the customer service when dealing with staff of this company. This company is based out of Frisco, Texas, but they are currently expanding their service area to include the Greater Houston area.

We have created a line of Educational Videos on our YouTube Channel, affectionately called Educational Tracks. We frequently add videos to this channel. About once a month. If you have suggestions for a future video you’d like to see, please email us at Newsletter@CPVH.com and we’ll see if we can put one together for our subscribers.

We also offer “Firemen, Save Our Pets” stickers that you can place on your window in the front and back of your home. If there is a fire, or other emergency, this sticker tells firemen that you have pets and how many you have. This sticker also lets the Emergency Responder know they can bring your pet to Claws & Paws and we’ll keep them until you are able to return to our facility to retrieve them. It is one less thing you will need to worry about in the wake of a disaster. Again, there is no obligation on your part and you do not need to be a client of Claws & Paws to benefit from this service.

We have handouts listing each Emergency Veterinary Hospital in the Greater Houston area, including an overview map with approximate locations mapped out as well. You can stop by and pick up a free copy, click on the image to the left to print one, or download our Free Mobile App and have the information available at the tap of a button. With our Mobile App, you can get turn-by-turn directions if you have your GPS enabled. You never know when you’ll be away from home with your pet and have an emergency where you need to get to the closest Animal Emergency Facility. We think this will help you locate the closest facility.

Texans Gift Pack

Who’s ready for a Texans Gift Pack!

From now through January 31^st, 2017, anyone that purchases a Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital^® Gift Card for a value of $25.00 or more, will be automatically entered into a drawing for a Houston Texans’ gift pack bag (pictured at right). We will select one winner who will be chosen from all entries. To enter, simply purchase a gift card in the amount of $25.00 or more from now through the end of the year. When you purchase a gift card, your name will be entered into drawing to win the Houston Texans Gift pack. Since Super Bowl LI is being held right here in Houston, at NRG Stadium, what better way to announce the winner than on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5^th.

Included in this Gift Pack is a Texans Football, license plate cover, Texans towel, flag and coffee mug, among other items.

Stop by today to get your gift card in time for Christmas, or order it online and we’ll mail it to you (Christmas Delivery not guaranteed). We will mail it as soon as we can, but if you’re looking for this as a Christmas stocking stuffer, come by Claws & Paws this week and pick it up in person. We are optimistic that our Texans will be making the playoffs and we think this is a great way to continue the celebration into the New Year.

Gift cards can be purchased in any denomination and can be used for any services or product within the hospital. These gift cards are not able to be used in our online store at this time.

For more information on Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® gift cards or to order one online, follow this link to our Gift Card page.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

By: Abby the Cat

abby-snowman-final ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, ‘cause I ate the mouse!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

But I knocked them all down with a feline flare;

My humans were nestled all snug in their beds;

Perfect time to MEOW, I’ve got to be fed!

I’m rather starved from all of my naps,

I need my strength, there’s gifts to unwrap.

The boxes and bags and fun twirly ribbon;

I must destroy them! I’m a cat, it’s a given.

I made a hideout in the tree in the hall;

I was rather surprised when no one heard it fall.

The tinsel, the lights, the feathery branches;

The joy, the glee…..the horrified glances.

My humans are up, and they look rather grumpy;

And I couldn’t care less, because I AM QUEEN ABBY!!!!

Remember we’re cats, don’t let us out of your sight!

Merry Catmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

We hope you enjoyed Abby’s rendition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Don’t forget to check out our staff-produced newsletter, called Quarterly Prints, where Abby answers questions in her Dear Abby column. You (or your pet) can submit questions for her to answer in upcoming issues to DearAbby@cpvh.com.

Veteran

thank-you-veterans Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects and say “Thank You” to those who have served. For one glorious day, veterans are joined by everyone else around the nation who doesn’t spend every waking moment breathing military stuff like veterans do. For one day, we stand united in respect for our veterans.

According to Military.com this holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service, and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” in order to account for all veterans in all wars.

There are several ways to show your support of veterans locally:

Participate in Events – on Saturday, November 12th, the City of Pearland is teaming up with HIKE for Mental Health to host a 4K and 1 mile run/walk with a BBQ lunch after. Proceeds will benefit the William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Pearland VFW Post 7109, Counseling Connections for Change and HIKE for mental Health. It starts at the Pearland Recreation Center and Natatorium on Bailey Road at 9:30am. Lunch is from 11am – 3pm. Cost is $15 for individual registration and $20 for individual registration plus BBQ lunch.
Consider Donating to a Veteran Organization – there are a number of national and local organizations where you can contribute, for both human and animal veteran organizations. A local, Pearland organziation is OATH (Outdoor Association for Texas Heros, Inc). There is a DAV (Disable American Veterans) thrift store in Alvin at 2625 Texas-35 Loop #140. You can donate usable clothing and household items that they can sell use the money to support the activities of the DAV in the Houston metropolitan area.
Help Canine Veterans – U.S. War Dogs K9 Care is an organization that provides items to K9 veterans. You can read more about this organization and how you can help here as we are a drop-off location for this organization.
Sport Some Military Apparel – You can even purchase veteran items that you can wear to show your support of veterans. One such location is the VFW Store at www.VFWStore.org.
Bring Awareness – help bring awareness to the fact that on average 22 veterans commit suicide each day in the U.S. You’ve probably seen a video or two of one of your veteran friends completing 22 push-ups for 22 days in an attempt to bring awareness to this fact. Consider doing this yourself and share these on your own Social Media pages.
Ask Someone About Their Service – just about all of us know at least one person who has served and Veterans Day is a great time to ask them about their service. Sometimes the best thing to do is just listen. Some questions to help you get started are: What branch of the service did you serve in? When did you serve? What was your favorite moment in all the time you served? Do not ask if they have ever shot or killed anyone.
Visit a VA Hospital – many VA Hospitals have events on Veterans Day or you can prepare a special lunch and take it to the VA Hospital and share with a veteran. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center has a Volunteer program.

We currently have two veterans of the Armed Forces on staff here at Claws & Paws. Our Hospital Administrator, Dorian Strickland is a veteran of the Air Force and one of our Veterinary Technicians, Jennifer Larsen is a veteran of the Coast Guard. Both are very proud and honored to have served their country.

National Animal Shelter & Rescue Appreciation Week

city-of-pearland This week, National Animal Shelter & Rescue Appreciation Week is November 6-13 and we would like to recognize what a fantastic group of people the City of Pearland has in our local Animal Services Organization. We would like to encourage each of those reading this to do a couple of things to show appreciation to the wonderful people over at 2002 Old Alvin Road, Pearland, Texas 77581.

Stop by the hospital here and sign a giant card we have that we will deliver to Pearland Animal Services on Thursday or Friday (10^th or 11^th) to show them we support and appreciate all the work they do. They often receive criticism for the job they do and rarely receive thanks. We think this card will go a long way to show them the people in the community appreciate them.
Consider taking something on your own to show them your appreciation. We would suggest cookies, treats or something special to eat for those that work so tirelessly at the Animal Services.
Consider donating items for animals in their care. With winter just around the corner (ha ha), there is always a need for towels, blankets and bedding to help keep pets in the facility comfortable and warm. There is always a need for pet food, dry and wet, for dogs and cats. You might also consider chew toys or rawhides and other supplies; things that dogs and cats just love to play with.
Consider donating monetarily. You can donate directly to the City of Pearland’s Animal Services through their website at http://pearlandtx.gov/departments/animal-services.
1. There is also a local organization that is working to raise money specifically to purchase an adoption vehicle for Pearland Animal Services. You can donate to Pearland Pets, a 501c3 non-profit organization, using the link below.

The Pearland Adoption Center can always use more volunteers. Registration is easy and you can do so right here. Enter your information and let them know when you’re available. You’ll be contacted and scheduled for volunteer training and then you’ll be ready to help in no time. Studies have shown that people and pets both benefit greatly simply through continued interaction with each other.
You can even volunteer to foster pets in your own home. This allows for more space in the facility and helps decrease the euthanasia rate so more pets can be adopted.
Become a Fan. Like their Facebook Page so you can follow them and see when pets are available or if there is a special need. You can share their posts on your own page to ensure these are seen by many people, even if you’re not currently able to help. They often post photos of lost pets so more people can be looking and hopefully get pets reunited with their families.
Lastly, adopt from your local animal shelter instead of purchasing your next pet. There are millions of animals in animal shelters across the nation in need of a loving home. There may even be one waiting for you.

The group of individuals at Pearland Animal Services does a fantastic job of working to reunite lost animals with their families as well as continuing to work non-stop at adoption events around town to try and get as many pets out of Animal Services and into their new forever homes.

If you end up adopting a pet from Pearland Animal Services, you qualify for a reduced price spay or neuter right here at Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital®. You should only adopt if you are financially able and committed to the long term investment in owning a pet.

Save Big When You Get Your Pet’s Teeth Cleaned

Here at Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® our Doctors and staff care very deeply about the health of your pet’s teeth and gums. Too many times we see tooth loss that could have easily been prevented with proper oral hygiene. Any time there is inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or infection in the mouth, this means discomfort or pain for your pet, whether or not they show it.

bad-breath

Bad breath is not normal!! Most pet owners do not look inside their pet’s mouth. However, dental disease is very common in our pets. It is not uncommon for small dogs to need teeth cleanings starting at 1-2 years of age. Cats and larger breeds may start at 2-3 years of age, sometimes sooner. When your pet comes to us for a physical examination, we make a point of looking in the mouth every time. If a moderate amount of tartar is seen, or an obvious problem in the mouth is noticed, then a teeth cleaning/treatment is recommended. Unfortunately, sometimes problems are below the gum line and cannot be seen with an oral examination while the pet is awake.

So, how can we save you money? Bring your baby in for a physical examination. If the Doctor determines that your pet needs a teeth cleaning, then blood will be sent out to the lab for a pre-anesthetic work-up. This saves you money because it is cheaper to send the blood to an outside lab than doing it in-house on the day of the procedure. Another way we save you money is if you bring your baby back to get his/her teeth cleaned within 45 days of the physical examination, you will receive a 20% discount off the teeth cleaning and teeth x-rays.

Call and schedule an appointment with us today! for more information about teeth cleaning, see our website for our handout at https://cpvh.com/dental-care/.

Service Dog Month

September is National Service Dog Month

AKA: National Guide Dog Month

Originally founded in 2009 by Dick Van Patten, the actor known for playing the dad on the television series Eight is Enough, National Service (Guide) Dog Month was created to celebrate the work of guide dogs in the United States. This was Mr. Van Patten’s attempt to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dog schools in the United States.

Mr. Van Patten visited a guide dog training school in California in 2008 and volunteered to be blindfolded to see the intelligence and skills of the guide dogs in the school. After learning the cost to completely train such a dog (roughly $40,000), he decided to hold a fundraising campaign with the help of the Petco Foundation.

Working Dog National Guide Dog Month was originally established during the month of May, but was changed to September because of other national fundraising drives also held during the month of May. One of the organizations helped by these fundraising efforts is Guide Dogs of Texas.

If you or someone you know is in need of a Guide Dog/Service Dog, you can find out more information about this program from the Guide Dogs of Texas website. Guide Dogs of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization, housed out of San Antonio, that is supported strictly by donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. If you’d like to donate to this organization, you can do so directly through their website. There is a satellite location in Houston as well.

Please remember if you come into contact with someone who has a service dog, don’t reach out to pet him or her. If he/she is wearing a harness, he/she is working and shouldn’t be touched. Always ask the owner of the service dog if you are allowed to pet him/her.

Also located in San Antonio, you’ll find the Working Dog Teams National Monument, the United States’ first national monument to a soldier’s best friend. Dedicated in October, 2013, it recognizes the sacrifices of dogs in combat. The nine-foot tall bronze statue is inscribed with “Guardians of America’s Freedom” and is located at Lackland Air Force Base and features four dogs and a handler. Lackland Air Force Base was chosen as the site of the national monument because the U.S. Armed Forces center has trained dogs for all branches of the military here since 1958.

Can I Take My Pet’s Medications

People Taking Their Pet’s Meds

Don’t do it…

Clients often ask “Can I Take My Pet’s Meds?” There was an article recently published about people taking antibiotics that have not been prescribed to them for their original intended purpose. Many times antibiotics were prescribed for a prior problem and then squirreled away. Other times antibiotics were helpfully given to the person from friends or family members. Most surprising of all, some antibiotics that people have taken are actually taken from their pet!

We strongly recommend against this practice. If antibiotics are left over, then they are not being administered properly. If the wrong antibiotic is used, it may not help and may even hurt the person taking it. Both of these situations can end with the creation of a “super” bacteria that is resistant to most common antibiotics. These types of bacteria are extremely hard to get rid of. A lot of people end up being hospitalized with a huge hospital bill.

When people take their pet’s antibiotics, the pet is not getting the correct antibiotic. Let’s use the following scenario. A pet is diagnosed with a bladder (urinary) infection. A certain type of antibiotic and number of pills are prescribed. When all of the pills are not given, the infection may not clear up and the infection will continue or the pet will worsen again once the pills are stopped. Not only does this harm the pet, for example, the infection can go to the kidneys, but it can also create a strain of bacteria (the “super” bacteria) resistant to common and cheaper medications. Also, in order to determine the problem, the Doctor will recommend further diagnostics such as abdominal x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, repeat urinalysis, and urine culture/sensitivity.

Please, when your pet is prescribed antibiotics, give all of the medication at the correct times. And, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian or us at 281.997.1426.

Meet Our PetMojis

The Secret Life of Pets

This weekend marks the long awaited release of The Secret Life of Pets. In anticipation, some of our staff have made PetMojis of our own pets. You can see them below, as well as follow this link to make one of your own pet. We’d love to see what yours looks like. If you make your own, please send them to us so we can share them with everyone. Send photos to SecretLife@cpvh.com so we can share them.

Frankie

Frankie is one of two English Bulldogs that live in the Wickel household. Maggie is the other one (not pictured), but we’re unsure which one is the “calm” one.

Carl

Carl is one very happy, some would say “goofy” dog. He is one handsome boy and is owned by the daughter (Morgan) of our technician, Christina.

Abby

Many of you will know Abby as our clinic cat. She has lived here at the clinic with us for a number of years. She is very comfortable here and loves seeing us every day.

Buddy

Buddy belongs to Kennel Technician, Erin and as you can see, he is very happy… all the time.

Betty

Betty is the sweet, lovable girl that belongs to our Office Manager, Haley.

Banya

Banya is the cat that belongs to our Hospital Administrator, Dorian. There are two dogs in the house and Banya is definitely in charge.

Gus

Gus is Robin’s kiddo. If you’ve talked to Robin for any longer than about five minutes, you’ve probably heard about Gus… and even seen a photo or two of him.

Myrtle

Myrtle is the sweetest girl around and she is Kristen’s baby. She is a beautiful mixed girl and Kristen says she likes to lay round.

Tigger

Tigger is another one of Kristen’s babies, only Tigger is a little more rambunctious than Mytrle. In fact, Tigger likes to take things that don’t belong to him.

Remember to send your photos to SecretLife@cpvh.com.

Zika – Veterinary Health Alert

Veterinary Health Alert on the Zika Virus from HCPHES (Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services)

Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® has received the following Veterinary Health Alert:

As of June 1, 2016, there have been 618 travel associated cases of Zika Virus reported to the CDC, with 40 cases in Texas (13 in Harris County). There have not been any locally-acquired vector-borne cases of the virus to date.

Mosquito - Website Zika virus is a disease spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically, the Aedes species mosquito (Aedes aegypti). These are the same mosquitoes that spread other viruses such as dengue and Chikungunya.

Zika and People

The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to be hospitalized, and death is rare. There is no vaccine to prevent or medication available to treat this virus. During pregnancy, Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects, and Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Though it is primarily a mosquito-borne virus, spread of the virus through sexual contact has also been reported. If individuals have traveled to Zika-infected areas and suspect they have become infected with the virus, it is recommended they use safe-sex practices and notify their healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Zika and your Pets

At this time there is no evidence of Zika virus infection in companion animals such as dogs and cats. However, non-human primates are susceptible to infection. Infection in non-human primates consists of a febrile illness with little to no outward clinical signs.

Prevention is Key

Prevention of the mosquito bite is key to controlling mosquito transmitted disease. When in areas with Zika and other diseases spread by mosquitoes, take the following steps:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as weather permits.
Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home. Empty or remove all containers that may hold water to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. Follow product instructions

It is not recommended to spray repellents or pesticides on animals and pets.

Repair and maintain window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Use mosquito netting over infant carriers, cribs and strollers.
For animal enclosures, utilize a fan to blow mosquitoes from the vicinity.

We will continue to update you as we learn updated information regarding the virus in both people and pets. For more information please visit the following sites:

Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services:

http://www.hcphes.org/zika

CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Courtesy of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services