Oh Mi’s Grand Opening
by Maralyn Fink
On Saturday I attended the Grand Opening of Oh Mi at their new location on Higham St., the former Reminder building.
There was a large turnout for this event, and it was elbow to elbow inside the store.
They carry a large selection of candy and food, t-shirts, coffee etc. What was real interesting was the flooring, where people had signed paper bags early on, and this was put down as a unique floor. Everyone seemed to enjoy the event.
Congratulations, Oh Mi, on your new location.
Another winter behind us
Barry spotted a couple of robins, so apparently we have made it through another winter.
A Look Back – Post Office Employees
by Barry Clark Bauer
Left to right: Richard Worrall, Warren Anderson, Ronald Hyler, and unidentified.
Without documentation we can only guess this is Ronald’s last day at the Post Office and he is retiring. It may also be a service award presentation for his time spent working at the Post Office.
Bennie and Jessie’s Pet Info – Eye Injuries in Dogs
Even the smallest eye injury (a tiny scratch, for example) can develop into an infected wound and loss of vision. Never gamble with your dog’s eyesight — always seek immediate treatment, even for minor eye injuries.
What To Watch For
If you see your dog squinting, avoiding bright lights, and excessively blinking, examine her eyes. Tear production is also a frequent sign of problems, as is watery, green, or yellow discharge. At worst, the eye may even be out of its socket.
Primary Cause
Much like in humans, eye injuries often occur when a small object enters or becomes embedded in the eye. In addition, scratching or pawing of the cornea, abnormal growth of eyelashes, and inverting of the eyelids can lead to eye injuries.
Immediate Care
1. If the eye is out of its socket, it should be treated as an emergency. Every minute is valuable if the dog’s sight is to be saved, so act quickly:
– Do not attempt to put the eye back in its socket.
– Cover the eye with a damp, clean cloth and bandage it loosely to the head.
– If you can do it quickly, soak the cloth in warm, salty water or a supersaturated sugar solution to help preserve the eye.
– Get immediate veterinary attention, keeping the dog as quiet and calm as possible. Ideally, you should go straight to a veterinary ophthalmologist — most of them keep emergency hours for this type of situation.
2. If your dog is blinking or squinting excessively and avoiding bright lights, there is likely something in his eye:
– Use a thumb to lift the upper eyelid and check for debris underneath.
– Do the same with the lower lid, using the other hand.
– If you can see something that needs removing, but which is not penetrating the eye, flush it out with tepid water or use a damp cotton swab to ease it out.
– If you can’t remove the object, bandage the eye and bring the dog to the veterinarian. Do not delay.
– If the object has penetrated the eye, bandage it immediately or fit the dog with an Elizabethan collar and take him to the veterinarian immediately. Again, most of them keep emergency hours for this type of situation.
3. If the dog is squinting and tearing up excessively or has red eyes, it is usually indicative of a scratched eye. Check for foreign objects in the eye area. If nothing is found, follow these guidelines:
– If you can see a scratch on the eye, cover it with a clean, damp cloth.
– Bandage the cloth to the head, use an Elizabethan collar, or bandage the dog’s dewclaws to prevent further damage.
– Take her to the vet the same day.
4. If the dog’s eyelids are bruised or torn (usually from a fight or other trauma):
– Place a cold compress on the affected eye, to help reduce swelling.
– Keep the compress in place for 10 minutes.
– Take her to the vet the same day.
5. If the dog’s eye(s) has been exposed to chemicals, there may be burn damage:
– Flush the eye with fresh water for at least 10 minutes.
– Refer to the chemical’s packaging to see what further treatment is suggested.
– Bandage the eye to prevent further damage and bring the dog to the vet immediately.
– Remember to bring the chemical’s container or packaging with you. On the way to the vet, call poison control so they are notified and treatment can be initiated promptly.
6. If you see a watery discharge coming from the dog’s eye:
– Check for objects trapped in the eye (see #2).
– Flush the eye using tepid water, diluted cold tea, or a dog-specific eyewash.
– If there is no indication of a foreign object, seek veterinary advice. Your dog may have an allergy, abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid defects, or blocked tear ducts — all of which cause chronic tear production.
7. If you see green or yellow eye charge:
– Flush the eye using tepid water, diluted cold tea, or a dog-specific eyewash.
– See your vet within 24 hours, as it generally indicates an infection.
– Watch for other signs of illness to help diagnosis.
Other Causes
Eye injuries may be caused by fighting, infection, or accidents with chemicals or other harmful substances. Some breeds, such as the pug, are predisposed to eye problems.
Living and Management
Your vet will be able to tell you how to manage a dog with an injured eye. It is likely that damage-prevention measures (such as an Elizabethan collar) or some follow-up treatment will be needed, either at home or at the clinic.
Prevention
There is little that can be done to avoid most causes of eye injuries, although obedience training, which limits the dog’s propensity for fighting, helps. Extra care when using chemicals is also essential; if possible, keep your dog in a separate room when using bleach or similar fluids.
Letter – Superheros say thanks
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children is super thankful for the generous support of our 2018 Superhero 5K Kick Off Event at the St. Johns Big Boy. 15% of sales were donated to our program and guests were served dinner by our Superhero Friends with The League for Enchantment.
We could not serve Clinton County’s abused children without you; thank you!
To hang out with us and our Superhero Friends on National Superhero Day on April 28th for our 5th Annual Superhero 5K Run, Walk, or Fly! please visit our website VoiceForClintonCountyChildren.org. We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Kelly Schafer, Executive Director
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Cat Panting
Even if you’re a cat person, you probably know that canines tend to pant after exercise or when they’re just too warm. This isn’t a trait normally shared by felines.
If you notice your cat panting, it’s important to assess the situation and consider a trip to the veterinarian if your cat’s panting seems out of the ordinary or continues for a long period of time.
When Cat Panting is Normal
Sometimes cat panting is normal and not a reason to be concerned, especially if you know what kind of activity your cat was involved in immediately beforehand.
“Panting can be a normal response in cats that are overheated, stressed and anxious, or after strenuous exercise,” says Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell, DVM, a veterinarian at the Cat Hospital at Towson in Maryland. “It should resolve once the cat has a chance to cool down and rest.” Keep in mind that cat panting under circumstances like these is rarer than it is with dogs, so unless you’re sure of the cause, it’s worth bringing to the attention of your veterinarian.
Signs of Abnormal Panting in Cats
If your cat isn’t stressed, too warm, or tired from recent, vigorous exercise, panting may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
“Panting has been shown to be associated with an underlying cardiovascular disease with panting being the cat equivalent of shortness of breath,” says Dr. Danel Grimmett, DVM, a veterinarian with Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Oklahoma. “Chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchial disease can cause a cat to pant. Therefore, when a cat is noted to be panting, I always recommend the owner consult with their veterinarian. Even in a young kitten, panting can be a sign of problems like an underlying congenital heart problem.”
Causes of Abnormal Cat Panting
Cottrell says there are a number of health problems that could lead to panting in cats, including:
Asthma: “This can cause panting, wheezing, coughing, and increased respiratory rate,” she says. “Asthma occurs when a cat breathes in particles that stimulate an allergic reaction.” Treatment for asthma in cats often involves medications called corticosteroids or bronchodilators.
Heartworm: Although more commonly associated with dogs, cats can get heartworm, which can cause breathing difficulties. “Treatment is supportive care with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and oxygen therapy in more severe cases,” Cottrell says. “As heartworm disease can be fatal, it is important to keep all cats on a monthly heartworm preventative.”
Congestive heart failure: Accumulated fluid in and around the lungs can cause deep, rapid breaths, coughing, and panting, Cottrell says. Treatment might include draining the fluid from around the lungs or medications to dilate blood vessels, get rid of excess fluid, and make the heart contract with more force.
Respiratory infection: As you might expect, respiratory infections in cats make it difficult for a cat to breathe, which could cause panting. “The cause is usually viral but development of a secondary bacterial infection would warrant antibiotics,” Cottrell says. “Humidifiers and steam can help loosen mucus and make nasal breathing easier.”
Other conditions like anemia, trauma, neurologic disorders, abdominal enlargement, and extreme pain can also cause cats to pant.
When to See a Veterinarian About Cat Panting
As the health problems above indicate, panting in cats could signify a serious disorder. Cottrell says signs your cat is having difficulty breathing include open mouth breathing or panting, wheezing, breathing that looks labored, and an increased respiratory rate. If you notice any of these signs or if your cat is panting without strenuously exercising or being anxious or overheated, contact your veterinarian.
No matter the cause of panting in your cat, Grimmett suggests picking up the phone and contacting your veterinarian to seek advice about the need for evaluation or treatment.
“My best advice to owners is to establish a relationship with a family veterinarian before problems arise,” she says. “Once this is accomplished, questions about panting or any other new behaviors can often be addressed by a simple phone call or even an email to the veterinarian. If a vet feels that their patient needs to be examined, the owner needs to trust [the vet’s] opinion and follow that advice.”