Thursday, May 19, 2011

Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs

Brookfield Animal Hospital is proud to offer the Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs. This is a highly effective collar that kills ticks, including deer ticks, which may carry Lyme Disease, for up to 6 months. Odorless, Non-staining and water resistant...this collar is exactly what your dog needs to stay protected this season! 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Smarter Than We Realize???

Most dogs know the works "sit" and "stay", but a new study published in the journal Behavioral Processes suggests they could learn a lot more. A Border Collie named Chaser has been trained to understand the names of 1,022 objects.

John W. Pilley, a retired psychology professor at Wofford College, became intrigued by an earlier study that demonstrated a dog named Rico knew more than 200 words, so he purchased a Border Collie puppy and began his own experiment into how dogs comprehend language.

Over the course of three years, Chaser was trained to recognize the names of 1,022 different objects. The objects were toys acquired from second-hand shops that he named everything from "squirrel" to "Uncle Fuzz." Professor Pilley believes she could still learn more.

Chaser also demonstrated she could distinguish nouns from behaviors. She was taught the commands "take", "nose" and "paw" (which meant to touch the object with her nose or paw), and asked to perform these behaviors in different combination on a few of her toys. She could do it every time!

Next, Chaser was trained to recognize categories. Could she understand that a "football" and a "tennis ball", were both a ball, which is different than a "Frisbee," but they were all "toys"? She could! This is something human children learn around the age of three.

Finally, Prof. Pilley wondered if Chaser could learn a new name by exclusion. He put a new toy amongst toys she knew well, and asked her to fetch it using a new name. This was a little harder for Chaser, but she could do it!

These fascinating studies could help scientists understand how children learn language, and help us all be aware that our dogs may be smarter than we realize.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011


When temperatures soar, remember to watch your pet closely for signs of heatstroke or dehydration. Because dogs and cats don’t perspire heavily, their body temperatures rise much quicker than people’s body temperatures. We recommend scheduling exercise in the cooler mornings and evenings…and stopping for rest if your pet is lagging behind, even slightly. Plenty of shade and fresh water is a must, and keep your pet inside for those particularly hot afternoons. Just a tip so you and your pet can enjoy this great season together! 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

May Staff Spotlight

This months’ staff spotlight is Christine, a veterinary assistant at Brookfield Animal Hospital. She writes “I enjoy getting to know the animals individually, and seeing their personalities grow as they grow up and become attached to their families. In my free time I am artistic, and also enjoy outdoor sports such as kayaking, hiking, and fire spinning.” We are proud to have her as a part of the team.
 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011


Spring is here! It's time to go outdoors with your pet and check out all flowers and plants.  Make sure to keep an eye on your pet in case a bee decides he doesn't want your pet to get up close and personal.  There are all sorts of flying critters out in the garden, so make sure your pet is protected from allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. Protect your pet so you both can enjoy the spring season together! 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (or T. gondii). It is a zoonotic parasite, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans, and has been found worldwide. During the reproductive stages, this parasite only exists in cats (both wild and domestic); however, other stages of development are found in all mammals and birds.

T. gondii is transmitted by consumption of oocysts (the reproductive form of the parasite) from cat feces in the environment, consumption of infected meat, and from transfer of the parasite from a mother to her fetus. Healthy adult dogs and cats often show no signs of infection, but puppies and kittens may suffer from heart, liver, vision or neurological problems. Signs of infection may include diarrhea, cough, seizures and death, but are usually not sufficient alone for a diagnosis. Laboratory tests must be done to confirm the infection. Immune-compromised animals, such as cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), are more susceptible to developing severe infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Toxoplasmosis is considered to be a leading case of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States."

The majority of people who become infected only suffer from mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. For newly pregnant women and individuals with a compromised immune system, toxoplasmosis can have severe consequences. Women who are infected just before becoming pregnant or during their pregnancy are at risk for miscarriage or delivering babies with birth defects.

You can reduce your risk of infection and that of your pets as well by keeping these simple tips in mind:
  • Clean litter boxes daily.  Toxoplasmosis takes more than one day to become infectious. 
  • If you are pregnant or immune-compromised, ask someone else to clean the litterbox. If this isn't possible, wear gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning. 
  • Keep outdoor sandboxes covered when not in use. 
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with soil, sand, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and raw meat. 
  • Do not eat undercooked meat (especially lamb, pork or venison), and wash all utensils and cutting boards that come in contact with raw meat. 
  • Do not feed raw meat to your cats. 
  • Keep your cats indoors to prevent them from hunting. 

Friday, May 6, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You are appreciated and we are sure if your pets could, they would say the same thing! Have a great Mother's Day everyone!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

$10 Off Wisdom Panel!

Brookfield Animal Hospital is offering $10 off our Wisdom Panel. Wisdom Panel can determine the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 185 breeds. Once an owner understands a dog’s natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind needs. Act on this incredible discount today!


Click here for more information about Wisdom Panel~! 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week!

Join the event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915 -- American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same. While Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, we should strive to always be kind to animals every day. What is the kindest thing you've done for your pet today?
 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Fleas

As the temperature begins to raise so does something else…the flea population! Ideally, flea control should begin as flea prevention…before flea season starts. As a loving pet owner, you’d do anything to prevent your cat or dog from suffering, after all, they’re part of the family. Yet every year when flea season begins, it’s like an old broken record. Fleas bite, and the scratching and chewing starts again. It’s a painful and irritating routine for you and your pet. But that’s not all. The adult fleas on your pet can actually cause serious medical problems…like flea allergy dermatitis or tapeworms, and in some extreme cases, anemia. We can help! Ask us how to keep your pet flea free, at your next visit!