Wiggle Butts & Whiskers Vet Tech Services & Pet Care

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Day!

02/14/2025

Happy Valentines Day from Wiggle Butts & Whiskers! Things to keep in mind if you received chocolates or flowers for Valentines Day.

01/04/2025

Common household items can pose serious risks to our pets. Cats and dogs are naturally curious and often explore their surroundings by sniffing, chewing, and even ingesting objects. Unfortunately, many everyday items can be harmful or even fatal to them. Here are some of the top toxins pet owners should know about:
• Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, coma or death. Always keep alcoholic beverages out of reach and clean up spills promptly.
• Avocado: While healthy for humans, avocados contain persin, a toxin that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or heart damage in pets.
• Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to pets, especially dogs. Dark and baking chocolates are the most dangerous, but even small amounts of milk chocolate can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity.
• Essential Oils: Oils like tea tree and peppermint can be toxic when ingested or applied to pets. They may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or liver damage. Always store essential oils securely and use them cautiously around animals.
• Garlic & Onions: These foods contain compounds that can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Even small quantities can be harmful.
• Grapes & Raisins: These can cause kidney failure in dogs. Symptoms might not appear immediately, so seek veterinary help if ingestion occurs.
• Household Cleaners: Products like bleach, ammonia, and disinfectants are toxic if ingested or inhaled. Keep them out of pets’ reach and ensure proper ventilation when using them.
• Human Medications: Many medications safe for humans can be dangerous or fatal for pets. Never give your pet medication without veterinary approval.
• Ma*****na: With increasing legalization, it’s crucial to keep ma*****na products away from pets. Ingestion can result in vomiting, lethargy, or even coma.
• Rodent Bait: Rodent poisons are highly toxic to pets. If you use these products, place them in areas inaccessible to animals.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. They are available 24/7 for guidance.

Prevention Tips:
• Store hazardous items, including cleaning supplies, medications, and toxic foods, securely.
• Secure trash cans to prevent pets from rummaging.
• Keep toxic plants, such as lilies and azaleas, out of your home and garden.

By staying informed and taking preventative measures, you can protect your pets from accidental poisoning and ensure their safety and well-being.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from Wiggle Butts & Whiskers!!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah !!🎄🕎

11/28/2024

Happy thanksgiving from Wiggle Butts and Whiskers!

11/14/2024

Can heartworms be prevented naturally? - Download as a PDF or view online for free

11/09/2024

🚨 Important Update: Leptospirosis Now a Core Vaccine for ALL Dogs
The 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines have been updated to classify the leptospirosis vaccine as CORE for all dogs starting at 12 weeks of age – regardless of lifestyle, location, or breed.
Why the change?
🌆 ALL dogs are at risk—urban, suburban, and rural.
⚠️ Potentially fatal, even with treatment.
🔄 Zoonotic—it can spread from pets to humans.
🏢 Dogs in daycare and kennels also face exposure risks.
You can find the full update in the Nov/Dec issue of JAAHA, or check out the full 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines here: aaha.org/canine-vaccinations

11/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/AAHAHealthyPet?mibextid=JRoKGi

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is the only organization that accredits small-animal hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. AAHA-accredited practices adhere to the highest-quality standards, which helps ensure the best care for your pet

10/14/2024

Happy Monday everyone! Chloe had an exhausting weekend going apple picking!

10/13/2024

10/09/2024

Check your dogs and cats for ticks! I just took my dogs for a walk on this beautiful fall day and just returned home and found some creepy nymphs on my dogs! Don’t forget to give them monthly flea and tick prevention as well!!

10/09/2024

Bromethalin is one of the most common types of rodenticides currently on the market. It is found in several forms including hard blocks, soft baits, and meal / grain. Depending on the amount ingested, clinical signs can develop as quickly as 2 hours post exposure or as long as 5 days.
Clinical Signs
There are 2 main syndromes seen with bromethalin toxicosis dependent on dose: acute convulsant syndrome and delayed paralytic syndrome.
In sublethal toxic doses, delayed paralytic syndrome will develop within 1-5 days of exposure and progress over 1-2 weeks.
This often starts with mild lethargy and decreased appetite.
This progresses to pelvic limb weakness and ataxia and ultimately, paralysis.
Dogs may develop fine tremors, seizures, abnormal body positioning, and altered to comatose mentation
In doses greater than the lethal dose, the acute convulsant syndrome develops within 2-24 hours of exposure.
This syndrome is characterized by severe tremors, seizures, hyperthermia, agitation, and running fits.
These signs are worsened with stimulation from light and noise.
Cats typically develop paralytic syndrome over convulsant syndrome.
Treatment
There is no antidote for bromethalin, so early decontamination followed by supportive care is extremely important.
If clinical signs develop, mannitol will aide in reducing cerebral edema.
Prognosis
Unfortunately, prognosis is poor to grave if severe clinical signs develop.
Patients with mild clinical signs may recover after several weeks but may have permanent neurologic damage.
If clinical signs can be appropriately managed but no improvement is seen after one week, prognosis is poor.
If you have a patient that was exposed to bromethalin, call Pet Poison Helpline right away for assessment and guidance with treatment needs…. From the Pet Poison Hotline!

09/28/2024

09/20/2024

I'm teeny Poocharella and I'VE BEEN ADOPTED!!

Poocharella (Poodle, Toy/Terrier | Female | 5 lbs (toy). Meet Poocharella, the tiniest little bundle of joy you’ll ever see! This adorable tot has a heart full of sunshine-literally. Poocharella loves nothing more than soaking up the warm rays and curling up for cozy naps in the softest beds she can find. Whether she’s basking in the sun or snoozing away, she’s always as cute as a button! This sweet girl is looking for a forever home where she can keep on napping and bringing joy to everyone around…
https://muttville.org/mutt/poocharella-12131

09/09/2024

First day of pet training academy at Pat Millers Peaceable Paws in Maryland was great! Went for a long walk with the dog (Gotti), that was assigned with me, then attended classes without him to learn about Operant Conditioning, classical conditioning etc. Then I had to clicker train him and teach him his name recognition, then lure him to a sit position and down position, then doggie Sit Ups which is from a sit to down and back to a sit and down again. He is a handsome neutered male, about 1 yr old and very good on a leash already, great with recall, and great with cue’s so far! 💜

09/04/2024

Veterinarians help make specialized diets for dogs and cats with certain diseases. If your vet recommends a diet, listen to them because it will help your pet. This would be in comparison to if your doctor recommended that you cut back on certain foods high in cholesterol, or for a person who may be diabetic, in kidney failure etc.

Don’t miss these 3 articles covering the importance of special diets for diabetic, geriatric, and overweight pets

09/04/2024

I’m so excited for next Monday as I will be traveling to Maryland to attend an intensive, internationally-acclaimed 6-day academy on basic dog behavior and training. This academy provides a solid foundation and college level courses in order to be a dog trainer and behavior professional. These courses involve topics that explore behavior science and the hands-on application of force-free dog training methods! will be assigned to work with a shelter dog who has had little-to-no training prior to coming to Peaceable Paws. They will prepare me to leave with a solid foundation of behavior science as it applies to dog training and behavior, and a deeper understanding of how your dog thinks and learns. I can’t wait to be able to apply my knowledge with your dog. 🐶 🐕 🐩 It will take 3 of these intensive academies and an exam in order to become a CPDT-KA trainer; Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction.