a picture of roundworms in a petri dish. Roundworms are a parasite that both humans and animals can contract.

Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and other intestinal parasites can be found everywhere in the environment.  Infection of these parasites may lead to poor health, vomiting and/or diarrhea, anemia, and, in more severe cases, death.  However, through proper husbandry and wellness, intestinal parasites can be avoided.  In addition, with the modern prescription preventatives and treatments available today, no pet should suffer from the infestation of intestinal parasites. 

Methods of Infection

Worm eggs, or larvae, are found in the pet’s feces.  Infection occurs when a pet ingests infected material.  In some cases, as with Hookworms, larvae can infect the pet through penetration of the skin.  Pets can also become infected when drinking contaminated water.  Pets that roam freely are more at risk for infection, but no pet is risk free.

Preventative Care

To prevent infection, Veterinarians will recommend a regular schedule to examine the pet’s fecal material.  In some cases, veterinarians will recommend regular deworming for a pet with a prescription anthelminic, or dewormer.  Other preventative measures include:

• Following through with the veterinarian’s recommendations regarding flea and tick control and heart worm preventative. There are a variety of forms available for prescription including oral, topical and injectable.
• Not allowing a pet to roam freely or spend time in areas that are heavily contaminated with the feces of other pets
• Not allowing the pet to drink standing water as it is likely contaminated
• Cleaning up the pet’s stool on a regular basis

Signs of Infection

Pets may not show any clinical signs of intestinal parasite infection which is why preventative care is crucial.  Visible signs of intestinal parasite infestation may include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, lethargy, distended abdomen, bloody stool, anorexia, or even worms seen in the feces or around the tail.  Should any of these or other signs be noted, an immediate visit to the veterinarian is warranted.

A microchip is a permanent form of identification.  A microchip contains a number that can be registered to your pet.  The number is read using a special “reader” that can be used to identify your pet.  It is about the size of a grain of rice, and is injected by a veterinarian underneath a pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The insertion process is similar to administering a vaccination and only takes a few seconds.  Insertion of the microchip does not require anesthesia or sedation.  Typically, pets do not react to this process any more than they would to a vaccine.

How does a microchip work?

The microchip will last a pet’s entire life and is read by passing a scanner over the pet’s shoulder blades.  The scanner will emit a radio frequency that provides the necessary power to transmit a unique code.  It is this unique code that absolutely identifies the pet in the case that it gets separated from its owner.  Most microchips come with a tag that includes the pet’s code, or microchip number, and should be placed on the pet’s collar.  Shelters and veterinary offices have the necessary scanners that enable them to retrieve any applicable microchip number of lost pets turned into them.  Once the pet’s microchip number is revealed, the microchip company can be contacted to retrieve the pet owner’s information.  Once the owner has been notified of their pet’s whereabouts, the two can be reunited.  It is necessary that owners register their pet’s microchip once it is placed.  If registration is not completed, the microchip is virtually useless.

Are microchips harmful to pets?

Veterinarians have been placing microchips in their patients for years.  Over these years, microchipping has been proven to be very safe.  Most microchips are made out of inert, biocompatible substances.  This means there will be no degeneration of the microchip and no allergic reactions exhibited by the pet.  Microchips can migrate outside of the implantation area, but this does not cause harm to the pet.  In fact, most veterinary offices and shelters run the microchip scanner over the pet’s entire body as migration is common.

Please contact our office at 703-549-7297 to get your pet microchipped and receive $10 off for the month of August! 

By Sandy Levitz Lunner

On the second Sunday of every month, a group of dedicated animal lovers sets out traps throughout the Greater Metropolitan area, including Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Manassas and Fairfax County.

Although it doesn’t sound like something an animal lover would do, it truly is an act of love according to Alyson Burgess of the Humane Society of Washington, D.C. Burgess is the director of the Cat Neighborhood Partnership Program or CatNiPP.

“We’re trying to help neighborhoods and property owners face the problems with feral cats,” Burgess said, “all while treating the cats in a humane and ethical manner.”

The program is for strays and feral cats only. A feral cat is one that was born in the wild and is usually a generation away from being a domestic, Burgess said.

The Humane Society of Washington, D.C. developed the program in 2006 based on similar programs in other areas known as Trap, Neuter, Release or TNR. But there are two striking differences between TNR and the version developed by CatNiPP.

“First,” Burgess said, “we trap, neuter and return the cats to their neighborhood colony rather than release them in the wild. And, we’ve added an ‘M’ to the end for ‘Management.’

“So, we’re actually a ‘TNRM’ program. We make sure the cats continue to be fed and cared for.”

And, it works, according to Burgess, because it addresses the root of the problem — the breeding.

“Through CatNiPP,” she said, “the cats are humanely trapped and brought to our clinic where they are neutered, vaccinated and generally examined.”

During surgery, the cats are also eartipped, a procedure that clips just the tip of one ear. That’s a signal to animal control officers and future trappers that the cats have been treated by a veterinarian and are part of a planned colony.

One of the volunteer veterinarians is Dr. Elton Vyfhuis who, together with Dr. Nia Perkins, owns and operates Paws, Purrs and Exotics Animal Hospital in Old Town, Alexandria. In addition to helping with surgeries and treating for parasites and other diseases, Vyfhuis helps set traps as well.

“We caught 90 cats just this month — mostly in Fairfax and Manassas. One of my technicians came with us and it was a good learning experience,” Vyfhuis said.

“It’s my give-back to society.” Sometimes the traps have a surprise occupant, according to Vyfhuis.

“We get wild animals in the traps — including snakes. That’s how I got my current pet snake,” he said.

“It’s a lavender snake we found in a trap that was placed at 21st and Connecticut Streets in the District.”

Vyfhuis had some theories about how a snake ended up taking a stroll on Connecticut Avenue in the District. Although he agreed that the snake might have escaped from a cage, he said it was more likely that someone let it go after realizing they weren’t up to caring for it.

“Maybe when it came time to feed their new pet,” he offered, “they realized feeding a live mouse to a snake wasn’t something they could actually do — even though that’s what the snake needs.

“Some snakes are herbivores, but others need live meat, and if you don’t feed it right, it will end up having health problems.”

Burgess said she’s also heard tales of surprise guests in the CatNiPP traps, although she wasn’t familiar with the doctor’s snake.

“Sometimes a neighbor’s pet cat wanders in. Sometimes a raccoon, opossum or even a stray dog gets in the trap and, of course, the volunteer has to let them go,” Burgess said. “Sometimes, depending on what kind of animal they get, they might have to have animal control release it.

“That’s why,” added Burgess, “you can’t just set the trap and then go out to dinner and a movie. The process has to be managed.”

According to Burgess, the whole process works best if the volunteers who set the traps are able to work with the person in the neighborhood who is feeding the cats since that’s what draws them to an area in the first place. For the trapping to work, the feeder has to start feeding once a day at the same time every day for several days. The night or day before the scheduled trapping, the feeder must withhold the food. If the person feeds the cats the day the trappings are scheduled to happen, the mission will be unsuccessful.

“Food is what gets the cats in the traps,” Burgess said. “If they’re not hungry, it won’t work.” Next trapping is in early August.

To volunteer, contact: aburgess@washhumane.org

Source: Alexandria Gazette Packet – July 29, 2010

By Sandy Levitz Lunner

Over the years, Dr. Elton Vyfhuis acquired a menagerie of furry, feathery and cold-blooded pets. From childhood to now, his animal friends have included a mischievous kitty, unpredictable dog, hamster, a type of bird known as budgerigar, five chickens, two rabbits, two more cats, nine more dogs and several snakes.

The early years helped set him on his career path. While studying veterinary medicine in the mid1990s at Tuskegee University in Alabama, hands-on clinical experience with a variety of animal species helped define his philosophy of veterinary care.

“Dogs, cats, birds, snakes — yes there are slight differences,” he explained. “But, an animal is an animal, and if I can help one, I can help them all.”

“Dr. V,” as he’s known by his staff and many of his clients, was perched on a tall stool in one of the colorful exam rooms at Paws, Purrs and Exotics, a veterinary clinic and hospital he opened in Old Town a year ago with fellow Tuskegee grad Nia Perkins, DVM. He shared that growing up, animals were respected, but they weren’t really considered part of the family. “My parents are from Guyana where they were accustomed to animals walking the street and you just fed them and gave them water,” he said.

That view changed after his aunt asked him to take care of her beloved Chow mix while she was on vacation.

“House dogs were a new thing to my parents,” Vyfhuis said. “Now, my parents think of animals as part of the family.

“So over the years we had parakeets, rabbits, hamsters, chickens, snakes — and all of that supported my desire to learn how to treat these types of animals”

He also thinks it may be in his genes.

“My grandfather used to import exotic birds and now I take care of them,” he added, flashing a warm smile.

One of the doctor’s bird clients is Alexandria resident John Ampela, proud papa of a parrot. His love of birds goes back to growing up with a variety of feathered pets, starting with a parakeet.

“I was smitten from the beginning,” he said.

Next was a cockatiel, and finally a larger Blue Fronted Amazon, considered a midsized parrot. Ampela loved each one of the birds he grew up with, but went for many years without. He missed having one around. That is until Duster arrived on the scene.

“Duster — nickname “Bubba” — is a Senegal parrot, a smaller variety,” Ampela said, “but not small in spirit.”

Ampela noted that parrots are very social creatures, used to being part of a flock, and from those characteristics stem some of the joys of having a Duster as a pet.

“We eat together, watch TV together, and he screams in protest when I leave the house,” he said. “Duster always wants to be around because that’s how he’s wired.

“We’ve gone on nine-hour car rides to visit friends and family. He’s a real trooper.”

According to Ampela, Duster enjoys individualized attention and often sits on Ampela’s stomach, “so I can pet him. He’s sort of like a ‘lap bird.’ He even likes to take showers.”

Despite the delights of living with Duster, Ampela admits there are some challenges to having a bird as a pet.

“Cleaning the cage is a constant battle,” he said. “Then there are the days I come home and he’s gotten into something and chewed it to smithereens! Cost me 100 bucks once for a laptop cable, but I was just glad he was OK.

“And there’s the unsolicited bite every now and then,” Ampela added. “Duster is, after all, a wild animal brought into captivity but still driven by instinct.” Birds can also be demanding pets due to their need for social interaction and attention, according to Ampela. He cautions potential parrot owners not to underestimate the responsibility and social demands that birds require.

“Going on vacation means you either bring them along or have a trusted friend or boarding facility take proper care of them.”

Another consideration for would-be parrot parents, according to Vyfhuis, is that birds can be among the most challenging pets to treat.

“They’re very sensitive and nervous. I keep a mirror next to the examination table because it can help calm a bird down — it’s like seeing another bird,” he said; it works as long as the bird does not feel the need to dominate.

Still, he says, some treatment is usually better than none at all.

“Someone brought a bird in with a hole in its chest — probably from a second aggressive bird the owner had. It couldn’t breathe,” Vyfhuis said.

“There really wasn’t much I could do but recommend minimal treatment with mostly over-the-counter medications. Amazingly the bird is doing OK.”

Vhyfuis encourages people to do a lot of research before they buy a pet so they have a realistic picture of what they’re getting into and what will be required of them to keep that animal happy and healthy.

He’s also on a personal mission to clear up the misconception that snakes are slimy. They are not.

“We have relationships with a couple of the schools around here — Jefferson Houston Elementary and T.C. Williams High,” the doctor said. “I like to bring snakes to the kids so they can touch them and see what they’re really like. And I teach them they have to wash their hands after touching reptiles because of things like salmonella.”

Some things with exotics are similar to traditional pets, but there are also differences. According to Vyfhuis, they have some of the same organs, but the organs don’t necessarily work the same way.

“A snake’s liver is different from other animals, and I can’t give it antibiotics for an infection,” he said as an example. “But, a snake won’t have a limpy leg that I have to try to diagnose with cats or dogs. They have no ears, so we don’t have to worry about ear infections. They have limited eye issues. Birds don’t have teeth so there are no dental issues. So, there’s just a minimal amount I have to treat to get exotic pets to optimal shape.”

Exams for exotics can be a little more expensive than those for more traditional pets. That’s because it takes more time to do the exam, but Vyfhuis also spends time educating his clients about their new pets. “A lot of potential problems can be nipped in the bud when they learn about proper care and signs than can show something is wrong.”

And, he encourages clients to e-mail him with symptoms their pets seem to be experiencing. He is often able to suggest treatments in a return e-mail or ask them follow- up questions to help determine if the pet needs to be seen.

“It’s not really about the money,” he added, “but, I hope they will still bring the animal back annually for an exam. As long as the pet is healthy, that’s what matters most. It makes for a happy household.” He also likes to make sure that the pet you have doesn’t carry other pets, meaning parasites.

“People need to know they can get sick from some animal fecal or intestinal parasites and bacteria,” he said. “An annual stool sample can identify problems, and once treated, those pesky parasites can be eliminated.”

He says it’s a good idea to take a new pet to a veterinarian for a wellness check because pet stores often don’t fully examine an animal before they hand it over to its new owner.

“You think you’re getting a healthy animal, and then something doesn’t seem quite right,” Vyfhuis said. “Soon you notice your new rabbit isn’t chewing or passing stools or urine. Now you may have a serious problem. A trip to the vet first might have picked up the problem before it became serious.”

This summer, Paws, Purrs and Exotics is boarding Petrie, a gecko that belongs to one of their clients, Leslie Marcus, a science teacher at F.C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria. She purchased the gecko for her classroom, in part because they are low maintenance. Marcus, who is traveling during her summer break, talked during a telephone interview about Petrie’s contribution to her classroom.

“The students love him,” she said. “Sometimes they come in the classroom and rush to the back instead of going to their seats. They are fascinated by him.”

Marcus feels having Petrie in her classroom is a way to teach students about the importance of animal care. She notes that many students don’t have pets at home, so this at least gives them some exposure. She’s able to use Petrie as a live example of animal adaptations and habits. And, she even sometimes lets students help feed Petrie his live mealworms and crickets.

Although Petrie was purchased with education in mind, Marcus admits to having developed affection for him over the past three years. “I would say I’m attached to him,” she admitted with a laugh. “The kids are, too. Some are a bit squeamish. But one girl remarked he looked like a sleeping baby curled up with his eyes closed.”

Vyfhuis says he thinks that animals find their human caretaker rather than the other way around. “Sometimes they pick you, and that ends up being the best situation for both.”

SIDEBAR

Some Advice

Dr. Elton Vyfhuis comments on multi-species households.

Are there any special considerations multi-species households need to keep in mind in terms of behavior?

Vyfhuis: Be careful with the various species. Some dogs attack cats. Some cats don’t get along with dogs. Some cats will eat birds. Also, many parasites can go from one species to another, and not all pets show symptoms when infected with some parasites — or other conditions for that matter.

Usually, there are species that don’t get together, such as cats and birds. However, I do have several clients that may beg to differ. One owner in particular has over 20 birds and one cat who she swears co-habitats with the birds even to the point of going in their cages.

Training has a lot to do with things as well. Animals can be trained to live together.

How about healthwise? Can they give each other diseases?

Vyfhuis: There are many health factors to consider with inter-species co-habitation. Parasites — both internal and external. Infectious, respiratory ailments can be passed across species. Then there are the zoonotic conditions, meaning they can be spread to one of the most developed animals on the planet — human beings. Examples of such conditions include rabies, and lyme disease, even though it is the tick that actually spreads it.

Are there any species that shouldn’t live together?

Vyfhuis: Greyhounds and cats notoriously don’t do well in the same living quarters. Predator and prey usually can’t live together, such as snakes and rodents. Then there is the whole vaccination issue to consider to prevent conditions from traveling from one pet to the other. For example, a dog can carry and succumb to Distemper. Likewise, a ferret can carry and succumb to Distemper. Vaccinations to both can prevent both from getting the condition and possibly passing to the other species.

Are there any additional considerations to bringing additional species of pets into the household?

Vyfhuis: People often like to keep animals that they rescue from the wild as pets. I had a client that rescued two pigeons which are really kind of like rats with wings. We did a stool sample, found a number of parasites. This client didn’t have other animals in his house, but there would have been health issues if he had. And he could have contracted some diseases himself. Now he’s learned how to take care of them and he brings them in for check-ups from time to time.

But it’s really best not to bring animals in from the wild.

Why?

Vyfhuis: First of all, the animal may not be legal to have in your state. Before someone makes a wild animal their pet, they really should make sure it’s legal. If not and you’ve made that animal your pet, it’s too tame to release and illegal to have. Now look what you’ve done. It will not be a good outcome for you or the pet.

If someone is determined to keep a found animal, what should they do?

Vyfhuis: If it’s a pet and it’s legal in their state and it can fit through the front door, I will examine and treat them.

Elton G. Vyfhuis, DVM earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1998. He is co-owner with fellow Tuskegee graduate Dr. Nia Perkins of Paws, Purrs and Exotics Animal Hospital at 133 South Peyton St. in Old Town. For more information, visit the website at: www.pawspurrsandexotics.com.

— Sandy Levitz Lunner 

Over the years, Dr. Elton Vyfhuis acquired a menagerie of furry, feathery and cold-blooded pets. From childhood to now, his animal friends have included a mischievous kitty, unpredictable dog, hamster, a type of bird known as budgerigar, five chickens, two rabbits, two more cats, nine more dogs and several snakes.

The early years helped set him on his career path. While studying veterinary medicine in the mid1990s at Tuskegee University in Alabama, hands-on clinical experience with a variety of animal species helped define his philosophy of veterinary care.

“Dogs, cats, birds, snakes — yes there are slight differences,” he explained. “But, an animal is an animal, and if I can help one, I can help them all.”

“Dr. V,” as he’s known by his staff and many of his clients, was perched on a tall stool in one of the colorful exam rooms at Paws, Purrs and Exotics, a veterinary clinic and hospital he opened in Old Town a year ago with fellow Tuskegee grad Nia Perkins, DVM. He shared that growing up, animals were respected, but they weren’t really considered part of the family. “My parents are from Guyana where they were accustomed to animals walking the street and you just fed them and gave them water,” he said.

That view changed after his aunt asked him to take care of her beloved Chow mix while she was on vacation.

“House dogs were a new thing to my parents,” Vyfhuis said. “Now, my parents think of animals as part of the family.

“So over the years we had parakeets, rabbits, hamsters, chickens, snakes — and all of that supported my desire to learn how to treat these types of animals”

He also thinks it may be in his genes.

“My grandfather used to import exotic birds and now I take care of them,” he added, flashing a warm smile.

One of the doctor’s bird clients is Alexandria resident John Ampela, proud papa of a parrot. His love of birds goes back to growing up with a variety of feathered pets, starting with a parakeet.

“I was smitten from the beginning,” he said.

Next was a cockatiel, and finally a larger Blue Fronted Amazon, considered a midsized parrot. Ampela loved each one of the birds he grew up with, but went for many years without. He missed having one around. That is until Duster arrived on the scene.

“Duster — nickname “Bubba” — is a Senegal parrot, a smaller variety,” Ampela said, “but not small in spirit.”

Ampela noted that parrots are very social creatures, used to being part of a flock, and from those characteristics stem some of the joys of having a Duster as a pet.

“We eat together, watch TV together, and he screams in protest when I leave the house,” he said. “Duster always wants to be around because that’s how he’s wired.

“We’ve gone on nine-hour car rides to visit friends and family. He’s a real trooper.”

According to Ampela, Duster enjoys individualized attention and often sits on Ampela’s stomach, “so I can pet him. He’s sort of like a ‘lap bird.’ He even likes to take showers.”

Despite the delights of living with Duster, Ampela admits there are some challenges to having a bird as a pet.

“Cleaning the cage is a constant battle,” he said. “Then there are the days I come home and he’s gotten into something and chewed it to smithereens! Cost me 100 bucks once for a laptop cable, but I was just glad he was OK.

“And there’s the unsolicited bite every now and then,” Ampela added. “Duster is, after all, a wild animal brought into captivity but still driven by instinct.” Birds can also be demanding pets due to their need for social interaction and attention, according to Ampela. He cautions potential parrot owners not to underestimate the responsibility and social demands that birds require.

“Going on vacation means you either bring them along or have a trusted friend or boarding facility take proper care of them.”

Another consideration for would-be parrot parents, according to Vyfhuis, is that birds can be among the most challenging pets to treat.

“They’re very sensitive and nervous. I keep a mirror next to the examination table because it can help calm a bird down — it’s like seeing another bird,” he said; it works as long as the bird does not feel the need to dominate.

Still, he says, some treatment is usually better than none at all.

“Someone brought a bird in with a hole in its chest — probably from a second aggressive bird the owner had. It couldn’t breathe,” Vyfhuis said.

“There really wasn’t much I could do but recommend minimal treatment with mostly over-the-counter medications. Amazingly the bird is doing OK.”

Vhyfuis encourages people to do a lot of research before they buy a pet so they have a realistic picture of what they’re getting into and what will be required of them to keep that animal happy and healthy.

He’s also on a personal mission to clear up the misconception that snakes are slimy. They are not.

“We have relationships with a couple of the schools around here — Jefferson Houston Elementary and T.C. Williams High,” the doctor said. “I like to bring snakes to the kids so they can touch them and see what they’re really like. And I teach them they have to wash their hands after touching reptiles because of things like salmonella.”

Some things with exotics are similar to traditional pets, but there are also differences. According to Vyfhuis, they have some of the same organs, but the organs don’t necessarily work the same way.

“A snake’s liver is different from other animals, and I can’t give it antibiotics for an infection,” he said as an example. “But, a snake won’t have a limpy leg that I have to try to diagnose with cats or dogs. They have no ears, so we don’t have to worry about ear infections. They have limited eye issues. Birds don’t have teeth so there are no dental issues. So, there’s just a minimal amount I have to treat to get exotic pets to optimal shape.”

Exams for exotics can be a little more expensive than those for more traditional pets. That’s because it takes more time to do the exam, but Vyfhuis also spends time educating his clients about their new pets. “A lot of potential problems can be nipped in the bud when they learn about proper care and signs than can show something is wrong.”

And, he encourages clients to e-mail him with symptoms their pets seem to be experiencing. He is often able to suggest treatments in a return e-mail or ask them follow- up questions to help determine if the pet needs to be seen.

“It’s not really about the money,” he added, “but, I hope they will still bring the animal back annually for an exam. As long as the pet is healthy, that’s what matters most. It makes for a happy household.” He also likes to make sure that the pet you have doesn’t carry other pets, meaning parasites.

“People need to know they can get sick from some animal fecal or intestinal parasites and bacteria,” he said. “An annual stool sample can identify problems, and once treated, those pesky parasites can be eliminated.”

He says it’s a good idea to take a new pet to a veterinarian for a wellness check because pet stores often don’t fully examine an animal before they hand it over to its new owner.

“You think you’re getting a healthy animal, and then something doesn’t seem quite right,” Vyfhuis said. “Soon you notice your new rabbit isn’t chewing or passing stools or urine. Now you may have a serious problem. A trip to the vet first might have picked up the problem before it became serious.”

This summer, Paws, Purrs and Exotics is boarding Petrie, a gecko that belongs to one of their clients, Leslie Marcus, a science teacher at F.C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria. She purchased the gecko for her classroom, in part because they are low maintenance. Marcus, who is traveling during her summer break, talked during a telephone interview about Petrie’s contribution to her classroom.

“The students love him,” she said. “Sometimes they come in the classroom and rush to the back instead of going to their seats. They are fascinated by him.”

Marcus feels having Petrie in her classroom is a way to teach students about the importance of animal care. She notes that many students don’t have pets at home, so this at least gives them some exposure. She’s able to use Petrie as a live example of animal adaptations and habits. And, she even sometimes lets students help feed Petrie his live mealworms and crickets.

Although Petrie was purchased with education in mind, Marcus admits to having developed affection for him over the past three years. “I would say I’m attached to him,” she admitted with a laugh. “The kids are, too. Some are a bit squeamish. But one girl remarked he looked like a sleeping baby curled up with his eyes closed.”

Vyfhuis says he thinks that animals find their human caretaker rather than the other way around. “Sometimes they pick you, and that ends up being the best situation for both.”

SIDEBAR

Some Advice

Dr. Elton Vyfhuis comments on multi-species households.

Are there any special considerations multi-species households need to keep in mind in terms of behavior?

Vyfhuis: Be careful with the various species. Some dogs attack cats. Some cats don’t get along with dogs. Some cats will eat birds. Also, many parasites can go from one species to another, and not all pets show symptoms when infected with some parasites — or other conditions for that matter.

Usually, there are species that don’t get together, such as cats and birds. However, I do have several clients that may beg to differ. One owner in particular has over 20 birds and one cat who she swears co-habitats with the birds even to the point of going in their cages.

Training has a lot to do with things as well. Animals can be trained to live together.

How about healthwise? Can they give each other diseases?

Vyfhuis: There are many health factors to consider with inter-species co-habitation. Parasites — both internal and external. Infectious, respiratory ailments can be passed across species. Then there are the zoonotic conditions, meaning they can be spread to one of the most developed animals on the planet — human beings. Examples of such conditions include rabies, and lyme disease, even though it is the tick that actually spreads it.

Are there any species that shouldn’t live together?

Vyfhuis: Greyhounds and cats notoriously don’t do well in the same living quarters. Predator and prey usually can’t live together, such as snakes and rodents. Then there is the whole vaccination issue to consider to prevent conditions from traveling from one pet to the other. For example, a dog can carry and succumb to Distemper. Likewise, a ferret can carry and succumb to Distemper. Vaccinations to both can prevent both from getting the condition and possibly passing to the other species.

Are there any additional considerations to bringing additional species of pets into the household?

Vyfhuis: People often like to keep animals that they rescue from the wild as pets. I had a client that rescued two pigeons which are really kind of like rats with wings. We did a stool sample, found a number of parasites. This client didn’t have other animals in his house, but there would have been health issues if he had. And he could have contracted some diseases himself. Now he’s learned how to take care of them and he brings them in for check-ups from time to time.

But it’s really best not to bring animals in from the wild.

Why?

Vyfhuis: First of all, the animal may not be legal to have in your state. Before someone makes a wild animal their pet, they really should make sure it’s legal. If not and you’ve made that animal your pet, it’s too tame to release and illegal to have. Now look what you’ve done. It will not be a good outcome for you or the pet.

If someone is determined to keep a found animal, what should they do?

Vyfhuis: If it’s a pet and it’s legal in their state and it can fit through the front door, I will examine and treat them.

Elton G. Vyfhuis, DVM earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1998. He is co-owner with fellow Tuskegee graduate Dr. Nia Perkins of Paws, Purrs and Exotics Animal Hospital at 133 South Peyton St. in Old Town. For more information, visit the website at: www.pawspurrsandexotics.com.

— Sandy Levitz Lunner

Source: Alexandria Gazette Packet – July 29, 2010

Hello all and Happy Earth Day! So the question for the day is, what are you doing to make this a greener place to live?

We at Paws, Purrs & Exotics are trying to do our part by recycling our plastic and glass bottles; we utilize a paperless system so all of our records are electronic; when we do use paper, we shred it and use it as kitty litter.

If you think you are not contributing, you’re wrong because every little bit helps. So do your part today, and don’t just stop there, make that change a part of your daily routine. Until next time!

Dr. P.

Hello friends and Happy Tax Day (or not so happy)! Well we are nearing the end of our featured deals on www.buywithme.com. The promotion ends early monday morning. If you have not already, please sign up so that you can take advantage of some great deals for your pet. We are offering $25 healthy pet exams, $35 bath and nail trim, and professional training with Anytime K9.

You can also donate a certificate to one of three rescue organizations we work with, The Washington Humane Society, Tails High, Inc, and The Italian Greyhound Rescue. They would surely appreciate the help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office and we hope to get the chance to meet you very soon. Until next time!

Dr. P

Hello all,

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather as much as we are! So Paws, Purrs & Exotics has some exciting news. Next week, beginning Monday, April 12, we will be the featured business on a great promotional site called “Buy With Me”. These little promotional deal sites are popping up all over the internet world and I love them!

What happens is you sign up at www.buywithme.com to receive a weekly deal. It can be anything from a discount from a great restaurant to services on your car. So we will be offering $25 healthy pet exams, $35 basic bath and nail trim, and we are also teaming up with Anytime K9 to offer $65 professional training classes! 

If you do not own a pet or you just want to help one, you can buy these discounted certificates for friends and family’s pets as well. You may also donate a certificate to one of the three rescue organizations we work with, Tails High Incorporated, The Washington Humane Society, and The Italian Greyhound Rescue. In this case you would send it to our hospital saying who you would like to donate it to, and we will make sure that each organization receives the certificate. This is a great way to help a pet receive some necessary care.

So please help us get the word out to all pet lovers about this great promotion. It will go on from Monday April 12 to Sunday April 18. Also stay tuned because next week you will hear from our Exotics Vet Dr. Elton Vyfhuis and a guest writer. Have a wonderful day!

Dr. P

Hello all,

I can’t believe we are already heading into April! It seems just yesterday we were locked up in our homes, waiting for the blizzard storms to calm, now everyone is out and about with their pets by their side.

Spring is my favorite time of the month because I love to see the flowers and trees in bloom, and of course I love the warmth. But there are a few things that we as pet owners need to know about so that both you and your pet can enjoy the great outdoors.

If you are a dog owner and your pet is not up to date on their physical, please try to schedule soon. If you come to us, we will make sure your pooch is current on necessary vaccines (especially if you plan on taking them to the area dog park), heartworm and tick test, and fecal exam. This will also be a good time for you to discuss any other issues that may need to be addressed.

If you are a cat owner, we recommend updating vaccines, heartworm test (yes cats can get heartworms from mosquitos too), and a fecal exam. I know that some people feel it is not necessary to do as much for their indoor cat, but remember this, we can bring things in the house like ticks, fecal matter on our shoes, and mosquitos can come in on their own. So it is still very important to make sure they have not picked up anything.

As for the pocket pets and exotics, I will let Dr. V. speak on this but I will say that checking fecals (poop as others may call it) is extremely important, and we have caught many parasites from doing it routinely.

Once you have gotten them up to date on everything, now it’s time to make sure we prevent. So flea and tick as well as heartworm prevention is highly recommended (for cats as well), and if intestinal parasites are found, we will make sure they receive the proper treatment.

So I hope this info was helpful, and make sure you get ready for those pesky parasites because they are definitely getting ready for you!

With warm regards,

Dr. P

Hello all. This is Dr. Nia Perkins, co-owner of Paws, Purrs & Exotics Animal Hospital. I hope everyone is having a great start to the new week.  Spring has officially sprung, and we are excited about some new things happening at our spot,  so please visit our website frequently to see what has been added.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new blog which we plan to update weekly. You will become familiar with our doctors, staff, and we even have some featured writers who will pay a visit. We will also have a special blog dedicated to pet fashion, fab places to take your pet, and celebrity pet sitings, written by my sister Patrice.

So please stay tuned for the first official entry coming next week. Dr. Elton Vyfhuis, also known as the all pets doc, and I will dish out info from a doctor’s perspective, but we will try to keep it lively!

If you have questions, comments, or things you would like for us to blog about, please feel free to send a message. Also if you have pictures of your pets or a funny pet video that you have come across, please send to us and visit frequently, because we may feature it.

So welcome, enjoy, and we look forward to providing you with a wealth of pet information. See you soon!

Dr. Nia Perkins (aka Dr. P.)

Please contact us if you’d like to begin receiving your refills or pet’s veterinary prescribed diet through our HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM, ProxyRx.