On Saturday, April 30th 20 staff members, friends, and clients along with 15 dogs met at Colby Lake Park to support the Humane Society for Companion Animals, Bark in the Park Fundraiser.

Although it was a little chilly, it didn't stop us and hundreds of others from showing their support to such a great organization.

The Humane Society had lots of great booths full of fun and informational things.  There were local vendors, pet related retail, and even a place where you could have a button photo made of you and your furry friends.









Dr. Ammann and her Samoyed McKinley helped the Humane Society by donating their time to the "Ask the Vet" booth.  For a small donation to the shelter, people were able to ask Dr. Ammann a pet related question.  She had a blast and got to meet lots local people and their dogs.

Our team not only raised over $1300.00, but we also won the vet team challenge award for the most team members!  We want to thank everyone who contributed their time and money to help us reach our goal.

Keeping Your Dog Safe Around the Water

As the weather warms up and summer comes into full swing, we tend to spend more time outdoors with our canine friends. Some of our favorite activities with our dogs are swimming and boating.

Swimming is great exercise for dogs; it works their muscles without weight bearing.  There are some precautions to take when swimming with our dogs though.  Make sure they don't tire themselves out.  A dog doesn't always know when enough is enough and may retrieve that tennis ball until they collapse.  Make sure to make dogs rests and give them access to fresh, clean drinking water during any outdoor activity.  If you stop playing for a moment and the dog lays down on its own, they it is time for a break.

If you are swimming on a populated lake or river beware of boats.  Dogs are not very visible on the water and a passing motorist may not see them.  If you are playing in the river be aware of the undertow.  It can quickly sweep an unsuspecting dog under water and down the river.

Boating with dogs can be a very enjoyable activity, but requires some safety precautions.  Just like people, dogs should wear a life jacket while on a boat.  Life jackets for your dog are available at our clinic.  They not only provide your dog with a lifesaving flotation devices, but many also come with handles on the top so you can pull your dog out of the water if necessary.  These jackets are also helpful for dogs learning to swim, or dogs that swim for extended periods of time.

When you are driving your boat it is important to keep your dog securely inside the boat.  If you have to take a quick turn or the dog gets excited and tries to jump out you run the risk of serious injury from the motor, or from banging their head or limbs on the boat.

A dog that spends a lot of time in the water is at risk for ear infections.  You should always use a drying ear rinse after swimming and bathing.  If used properly, these products can prevent most ear infections. 

Dirty lake or river water can also cause a dogs skin to become irritated.  A quick fix for this problem is to rinse your dog off with the hose or in the tub with clean water after swimming.  If your dog spends a lot of time in the water we recommend bathing.  It is best to use a shampoo made specifically for dogs as human shampoo can be irritating.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the water with your dog.  If you take the proper precautions to keep your pet safe and healthy you should be able to spend some wonderful quality time together.

On Saturday, May 7th, about 100 bird enthusiasts gathered at the continuing education center on the St. Paul campus to learn and share knowledge about bird behavior. 

Now in its second year, the Avian Behavior Conference draws veterinarians, bird breeders, and private bird owners to hear speakers on a variety of topics.  Carver Lake Veterinary Center was represented this year by Dr. Kim Ammann and Certified Veterinary Technician, Jessica Carlson.

This year's speakers included Dr. Susan Friedman from the Department of Psychology at Utah State University, who spoke on maintaining good behavior in pet birds by reinforcing with positive rewards.

Barbara Heidenreich, a well known animal behaviorist spoke about solving aggression problems in birds.  In front of a packed room , she trained a blue and gold macaw, that she had never met or handled before, to overcome its fear of her and step onto her hand for a treat.  It was an impressive display of what positive reinforcement can accomplish.

The afternoon speakers included Fern Van Sant, an avian veterinarian from San Jose, CA, who talked about behavior problems and their relation to the natural environment from which these birds come.  Behaviors such a feather picking, reproductive urges, and screaming can be better understood and dealt with when we step back and consider the type of environment our birds would live in their native countries.

We at all times have to remember that our pet birds are not domestic like dogs and cats.  They are wild birds from other countries and have not made the adaptations our other pets have had hundreds of years to make.

The conference is sponsored by the Avian Behavior Council, and has been a great success.  If you are interested in next year's conference or related topics, please visit these websites.

Avian Suites  www.birdboarding.com
Love on the Wing  www.loveonthewing.com
The Soaring Spirit  www.thesoaringspirit.com
The Gabriel Foundation  www.thegabrielfoundation.org

What To Do With Wildlife This Spring

Spring has sprung!  And as we start to see our familiar feathered friends returning, birds and other wildlife will begin breeding and rearing their young.  During this time of year and through the summer months, you might come across a fallen bird's nest or maybe a bunny that looks injured or sick.   If you come across any wildlife you think is in need of your help, please take a moment to access the situation. 

More often than not, baby birds and mammals are "rescued" when help is not needed.  These "kidnappings" can be avoided.  If you find an unfeathered baby bird, look for a nest in nearby trees, bushes, or on the ground (possibly damaged.) A baby bird put back in nests WILL be cared for by its parents. 

If there is no nest or parent birds seen, or if the baby looks sick or injured it needs to go to a wildlife rehabilitation center ASAP.  Put the baby in a warm safe place (a shoe box or paper bag if needed) until you can transport the bird.  Baby birds cannot self regulate heat so you will NEED to provide them with heat.  A heating pad under half the container, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in the box are usually sufficient for short times.

Many baby birds that are found hopping on the ground and are feathered are assumed to be orphaned and are unnecessarily taken.  These little guys often don't need our help and should be left to go on their little feathered way without humans and pets interfering.

Many people come across the path of a baby bunny during the spring.  Bunnies are similar in that they are often "rescued" when it is not needed.  Bunnies wander out of the comforts of their nests quite young.  If you find a baby bunny that has its eyes open he is probably fine.  Bunny nests are often found and damaged easily.  Mother rabbits WILL accept young returned to the nest even after human contact. If you find babies with eyes closed and can't find the nest gently pack them up, supplement heat, and take them to a wildlife rehabilitation center ASAP.

Please keep wildlife,their young, and their nests safe by restricting access from our pets.  If you find any wildlife that is obviously injured, it is an emergency!  Please contact a wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. 

In St.Paul you can call the wildlife rehabilitation center at 651-486-9453. It is located on north Dale St.  You can also call Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release located in the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley at 763-522-4325.  They provide great wildlife hotlines with pre-recorded answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Carver Lake Veterinary Center also accepts wildlife on a limited basis Mon-Thurs. Dr.Kim Ammann is federally and state licensed to treat wildlife.  If you would like more information on wildlife rehabilitation or volunteer opportunities, you can contact any of the numbers listed above.