News & Views

August: Extended Hours at IVS!

our Veterinarian,...

Summer is ‘brush fire’ season in Southern California. Pets and people are ‘out and about’ sharing summer activities together. What can pet owners do to prepare for unexpected pet care emergencies during summer months?

We asked our emergency care specialist Dr. Lara Ashbran, to list items she recommends that our clients include in their ‘home pet care emergency’ kit.

Dr. Ashbran:
Items that can be included in your small animal first aid kit are the following:

2 pairs of medium and large disposable gloves
Leash
Bandage scissors
Digital thermometer – to check temperature rectally
KY jelly – to lubricate thermometer, can also be applies to lacerations to prevent the tissues from drying out
Penlight – to use as emergency light and check the responsiveness of pupils
Brown gauze – to apply muzzle (see booklet) or use for restraint, can also be used as bandaging material
Sterile saline solution – to moisten or flush wounds
2 packets of gauze – for cleaning wounds or padding bandages
2 nonstick bandage pads – sterile dressing to apply to wounds
Bandage Tape – to hold bandages and dressing in place for transport
4 tongue depressors – to apply ointment or use as splints in small animals
2 packages cotton swabs – to apply ointment or clean small wounds
Hydrocortisone 1% cream – to apply to rashes to decrease itching
BNP (Bacitracin, Neomycin, Polymyxin) antibiotic ointment – to apply to small wounds and scrapes
Sterile eyewash – to flush foreign material from the eye or flush eye wounds
Hydrogen Peroxide – to induce vomiting after the ingestion of toxins at the direction of a veterinarian or Poison Control
Instant cold compress
Packet of antibiotic ointment and band-aid for the owner
Small packet of liquid soap – to mix with water to clean hands
Tweezers – to remove ticks
Bottle of drinking water

All of these products can be found at your local drug store.

Have a question for our veterinary staff?
Send your question to us at askus@irvinevetservices.com.
Look for answers in our next newsletter!

Special Announcement from IVS...Extended Hours at IVS!
Extended Veterinary Hours All Day Appointments New Lunch Hour Appointment Availability New Evening Hours All Day Emergency Care Available Call Today for an Appointment
University Park - 949-786-0990 Veterinarian Care Now Available Monday thru Friday 7:00am – 8:00pm Saturday and Sunday 7:00am – 6:00pm	Northpark – 714-573-1890 Veterinarian Care Now Available Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 7:00pm Saturday and Sunday 7:00am – 6:00pm
Veterinary Care Available Throughout the Day

Welcome Dr. Ashbran to IVS

Dr. Ashbran was born and raised in Southern California. She received her B.S. in Biology and Masters in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University. Dr. Ashbran attended Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated as a member of the Phi Zeta Honor Society.

After graduating veterinary school, Dr. Ashbran completed a medicine and surgical internship at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital. After her internship, Dr. Ashbran worked a couple of years as an emergency veterinarian. Due to her time in the ER, emergency and critical care medicine is a special interest to Dr. Ashbran.

Dr. Ashbran lives with her husband, Kevin, and two dogs, “Sahara”, who has been with her since her college days, and “Midge”, who her and her husband rescued after she was hit by a car. In her free time, Dr. Ashbran enjoys hiking, camping, playing and watching soccer with her family.

Enter Your Funny, Silly or Cute Cat Photo for a Chance to win a Litter Box Cabinet

We all love to show off our cat’s photo. If you have the cutest, silliest or funniest photo of your cat, it's time to enter his or her photo in our Photo Contest.

To enter your pet's photo, please email the photo to petphotos@irvinevetservices.com. Please make sure to add your pet’s name in the email. Don’t delay; all entries must be received by August 20, 2010. The winner will be announced in September’s newsletter.

Winner will receive a Litter Box Cabinet. This handsome Litter Box Cabinet is the perfect way to conceal a cat’s litter box. The dark mahogany color and stylish details, including antique-brass colored pull knobs, go with any decor. Fits standard-size litter box while offering cats ample room and privacy and containing mess and odors. Two paneled doors, with magnetized closures, make box removal and maintenance easy. Side opening allows cats discrete entry and exit.

IVS offers Kuranda Beds during your Pets Boarding Stay

This cozy cot style bed is durable, chew proof and allows your pet to relax comfortably up off the ground. The bed’s patented orthopedic design is also beneficial for seniors, especially ones with hip problems and/or arthritis.

Care and Safety Tips for Your Cat’s Next Vet Visit

It’s safe to say that most cats don’t travel by car very often. The most common car trip is usually to the vet and that event causes enough anxiety by itself. Getting stressed out by a car ride to the vet may make it difficult to tell what is “normal” and what is stress-related on the physical exam for some cats. Here are some tips to reduce travel stress to the vet’s office:

Carriers – For safety reasons cats should always ride in a carrier in the car. Cats tend to startle easily and may escape or interfere with your driving if they become frightened. However, most cats run and hide at the mere sight of a carrier. To get your cat used to the carrier, leave it out and open with some treats, special food, toys and maybe a towel. Allow your cat to go in and out and explore the carrier on their own. Once your cat is comfortable in the carrier, begin to close the door for very short periods (seconds). Gradually increase the length of time the door is closed.

Feliway – The pheromone product called Feliway is also a great “secret weapon” for calming down cats. This spray can be applied to the towel or bedding in the carrier to induce a state of calm and content in your cat. A Feliway sprayed towel may be used to cover the carrier so the cat feels safe and “hidden”. For more information on Feliway, visit www.feliway.com

Short car trips – short car trips with no consequence (i.e. a vet visit) may help reduce car anxiety and build confidence in your cat with each car ride.

“Practice” vet trips – Bring your cat to the vet to be weighed and nothing else. The receptionist should be able to recommend a best day and time for a weigh-in. It is best to avoid busy times which may stress your cat. A one-pound gain of loss, in an average 10-pound cat, represents 10% of their body weight, so tracking weight is always a healthy idea.