| Advertisement |
|
|
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY -- Every spring, local vets notice an increase in animals with preventable, neurological disorders. And a local animal rescue is trying to find a home for one of the pets affected.
Scooby is a sweet, curious terrier mix -- and he is looking for a home. He is estimated to be between two and three years old.
"So I think he will make a good pet for somebody," says Dr. Jennifer Perusek a veterinarian at Animal Clinic of Granger.
But Scooby isn't ready to go to his forever home yet. He is still battling some major health issues.
If you watch him closely you will notice he jerks around -- almost seizure-like. Those are neurological issues.
Scooby was picked up by South Bend Animal Control as a stray. He was rescued by a local rescue and when he arrived at the Animal Clinic of Granger he had trouble walking and smelled of chemicals.
"His head was shaking. He couldn't pick up dry food. He couldn't pick up bones. He couldn't chew very well," says Dr. Perusek.
Perusck guesses that one of two things probably happened to Scooby: Either he got into some sort of fertilizer or chemical -- Or someone applied the wrong type of medication to Scooby.
Vets see several cases like this every year and there is always an increase in the spring. And they say, for the most part, it is all preventable.
Perusek recommends keeping chemicals out of reach of children and animals and make sure to check with your vet before giving your pets any type of flea or tick medication. Putting the wrong type of medication on your pet or the wrong dose can cause serious side effects -- even death.
Perusek says vets often see issues with over-the-counter medications. Sometimes they don't work as quickly or as well and vet-recommended brands, so people tend to put more than the recommended dose on their pets. Also, vets have seen the affects of dog medication used on cats or vice versa.
Perusek says, over the counter meds are cheaper -- so if you must use them, at least see your vet first and never give more than the recommended dose.
As for Scooby, he will probably always have tremors but that isn't stopping him now.
"Over all, he appears to be very happy and healthy," says Perusek," he is very aware of his surroundings and people. Responsive, excellent vision. He is content watching the birds and chasing them outside."
Scooby is also battling heartworm. As soon as those treatments are done he can be adopted out.