BY Victoria Cowper | JULY 15, 2015
Thirteen not an unlucky number
Who says 13 is unlucky? Not the Foothills Animal Rescue Resale Boutique. Having just completed our second quarter with a 13 percent increase we are all feeling pretty lucky. Under the creative leadership of co-managers Dixie and Lisa the boutique has become a destination shopping experience. The volunteers (our lifeblood) are processing the inventory from a very generous community, ensuring new treasures daily. It solidifies just how important our pets are to us in this community.
All proceeds from the Resale Boutique benefit our life saving efforts. To date we have found new loving homes for 275 dogs and cats that were rescued from overcrowded Maricopa County Animal Care & Control through our New Hope partnership. Sadly, there's no summer vacation from suffering for orphaned, abused and neglected animals in our area. So we can't take a break.
The statement "it takes a village" rings true with the commitment and dedication of our 38 volunteers who process, clean, merchandise and promote our Resale Boutique. If you have not had a chance to visit, we invite you to explore the many unique and wonderful items (pet goods, men's and women's clothing, furniture, artwork, jewelry, housewares, bedding and the list goes on) we have to offer.
The two little words "thank you" don't cover the gratitude and appreciation we extend to our staff, volunteers and community for being as generous as possible with your gifts, whether it be time, gently used items or donations that saves lives.
Visit www.foothillsanimal.org. 23030 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
JULY 15, 2015
Protect your pet from heartworm disease
With summer and the monsoon rains come mosquitoes. With the mosquitoes come an increase in transmission of heartworm disease in dogs. When your dog is bitten by an infected mosquito the heartworm larvae is injected under the skin. It lives under the skin for approximately 2 months before entering the bloodstream and moving to the heart.
The adult worms live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. It takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature within your dog. Heartworms can grow to a foot in length and have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. Because heartworms are able to reproduce within the dog, it is possible for one dog to host hundreds of heartworms. Early in the disease process, dogs typically show no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, coughing, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite and weight loss may be seen. Eventually if left untreated, heartworm disease can progress to heart failure and death in young and old dogs alike.
Heartworm is spread when a mosquito first bites an infected dog. The heartworm larvae must spend time in the mosquito to develop into an infective stage. When the mosquito bites another dog the developing larvae are transmitted to the second dog. Heartworm is not spread directly from one infected animal to another but requires the mosquito for transmission.
Heartworm preventatives are effective the first 1-2 months after infection. They kill the immature larvae living under the skin. Once the larvae mature and enter the bloodstream and heart, preventatives are ineffective. To be certain your pet is protected, preventative medications need to be given once monthly. Because of the potential for missed dosages as well as potential for the parasite to develop resistance to the medication, annual heartworm testing is recommended. Heartworm testing is also recommended prior to starting preventatives.
Monthly heartworm preventatives not only protect your dog from heartworms but also from many other intestinal parasites. Most intestinal parasites in our area are transmitted to your dog by exposure and ingestion of feces from dogs, cats, birds and rabbits. Some parasites, including roundworms and hookworms, are transmissible to people. The Human Center for Disease Control recommends that all dogs be on some type of monthly preventative to protect you and your family.
For more information call Dove Valley Animal Hospital at 480-595-5731 or visit their website at www.DoveValleyAH.com
