The government of New Brunswick is conducting a rabies vaccine bait distribution in parks and area frequented by skunks and raccoons in southern NB this summer. In Saint John the vaccine distribution began July 20. The vaccine bait will be distributed in green spaces, parks, hedges and wooded areas. The bait is not harmful to humans, domestic pets, livestock or the environment. However, the public is advised to keep pets under close surveillance during the campaign to ensure they do not ingest the bait intended for wildlife. Members of the public are encouraged to continue to take precautions to avoid coming into contact with the disease. They should: * keep a safe distance from wildlife; * teach children to prevent animal bites by avoiding contact with wildlife and unfamiliar domestic animals; * ensure the vaccinations of pets and domestic animals are up to date; * discourage wildlife from visiting their property by keeping garbage and compost bins secure; * avoid leaving pet food outside; * refrain from relocating wildlife; and * report animals with rabies-like symptoms to 811. More information on rabies, including a surveillance map of confirmed cases, is available online at www.gnb.ca/rabies<http://www.gnb.ca/rabies>

This week marks Dr. Tompkins 10th year as CEO of the Fundy Animal Hospital. Thank You for your continuous support and loyalty. Please stop in to enjoy a cupcake and a homemade dog treat for your furbaby.

I'm sure the Labrador parents out there would agree wholeheartedly.

How have you turned the cone of shame into something fun? Pictures are highly suggested.

Due to the impending, extreme weather forecast, the clinic will not be opening tomorrow, Monday, February 13th. Our plan is to open at 10:00am (or earlier) if possible, on Tuesday, February 14th. Please call ahead to ensure staff has had time to properly open the clinic to serve your pets needs. If you have an emergency please call the clinic and you will be directed to the After Hours Service to provide emergency care to your fur babies. Stay Safe.

Dr. Tompkins was able to meet with international veterinary social media star Dr Andy Roark last week in Fredericton. Dr Roark is well known for his creative and funny take on veterinary medicine. Please check out Dr Roark’s website drandyroark.com, or his you tube show Cone of Shame, for an interesting view of all matters relating to pets, as well as the practice of veterinary medicine.

We are currently experiencing an outbreak of canine “kennel” cough (aka: canine infectious tracheobronchitis) in the Saint John and Rothesay/Quispamsis area. This is a common occurrence every fall, especially at dog parks. Other high risk areas include situations where dogs are in close contact with one another in a closed in space, such as kennels, dog shows, doggy day care and some larger grooming facilities. Even vaccinated dogs are susceptible to this year’s strain. This is a highly contagious infection. The time from being exposed to symptoms is ~ 4-5 days. Most dogs have symptoms and can be contagious for ~ 1 week. If a dog has the canine cough it is recommended to avoid contact with other dogs for a 2 week period after the dog starts coughing. Unvaccinated puppies or adult dogs are at a higher risk of developing complications from the contagious cough, such as a lung infection or nasal symptoms. Most dogs will develop a mild form of the disease characterized by coughing, even though the dog is otherwise normal. If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of coughing, please contact your veterinarian and avoid contact with other dogs. For example, avoid the dog park for 2 weeks if your dog has been diagnosed with the canine cough, and keep a wide distance when passing dogs on a walk. This is very important to prevent transmission to healthy dogs.

It's National Veterinary Technician Week!!! Have you thanked your Vet Tech Today??? We here at FAH would like to take a minute to express our heartfelt appreciation for our RVT's; Mandy, Natalie, Tasha, Deborah, and Charity. Although we value you all, every day of the year, we take this week to honour your commitments to compassion and your high-quality veterinary care for all your patients.

There is a new app by Boehringer called, "Heart2Heart Canine RRR". This app will keep track of your dogs respiratory rate so you and your Veterinarian can stay informed. This app would be beneficial to have if your dog suffers from heart issues.

BEN HAS BEEN FOUND and is home safe & sound with his family. Thank you for all your help!. UPDATE: There is a $1000.00 Reward LOST DOG: Please keep your eyes open for a Bernese Mountain Dog on Rothesay Ave. His name is Ben. Please reply here if you spot him.

We would love to send a big Happy 14th Birthday to Mungo Jerry! Enjoy your special day and thank you for the lovely treats!

We have just had an explosion of dogs getting quills from an encounter with a porcupine. 6 dogs in the last 5 days. Please be watchful of these large rodents out on your lawn or in your neighbourhood when you take you dog out at night or early in the morning. We usually get calls from worried pet owners during the non-daylight hours do to the fact that porcupines are nocturnal. Porcupines eat vegetation (plants and tree bark mainly) and may be hungry this time of year, and enjoying the fresh grass growing in your yard. We tend to get a lot of incidents in the fall as well, when it is the time of year for porcupine mating. The dogs tend to come across the porcupines after a lot of rain, possibly from the rodents being pushed out of their normal forest habitat, and closer to your dwelling to find food and protection. They prefer to live in forest areas, but may choose to go under decks, in sheds and crawlspaces to sleep during the day for protection. They tend to be solitary in nature, and with their bad eyesight you may see them slowly waddle around looking for food. If your dog comes across a porcupine, he/she may just sniff and paw at them and get a face or pawfull of quills. However some dogs will try to attack the porcupine and become covered in quills. Please call your veterinarian to have you dog attended to if they come in close contact with a porcupine. Many owners will try to remove a few quills on their own, only to have the dog become angry with them, and become potentially bitten in the process. While cats tend not to ever come into contact with a porcupine, we have had to take quills out of one cat in the past 5 years. Below is Chipper, who unluckily, before going to bed for the night, met up with a visitor on his lawn.