Shawn M. Finch, DVM

Blogathon 2011 was a success!

Because of you!  Thank you for supporting the animals.  *puppy kisses*  Aren’t you glad I didn’t send you tiger kisses?   You are welcome.   They say thank you too though.  Below are the grand totals from the 24 hours of blogging and donating on November 12 – November 13, 2011.  I am quite sure my family and I will be involved every year from here out.  I love it.  And you.  (((hugs)))

Lions, Tigers and Bears…..$1440 raised

Nebraska Humane Society…..$1160 raised, which was matched by an anonymous Pet Saver, making the grand total $2360! Woo!

Pawsitively Texas…..no available stats so we are assuming millions!

Eagle’s Den Rescue…..$531 raised

Okey’s Promise…..$650 raised

Lucky Dog Rescue…..$250 raised

Columbus Zoo…..no available stats, so we are assuming millions!

Bridey Boyle Liver Shunt Surgery…..$1480.10 raised so far – still accepting donations –  For more information on Bridey or to donate to her surgery, click HERE.  Thank you!!

Bridey is having surgery to correct her liver shunt on Monday, December 5, 2011!  Yay!   We are all thinking of you sweet puppy!  We will be anxious to hear you are well.

North Country SPCA…..no available stats, so we are assuming millions!

I had a really fun time with you all at Blogathon 2011!  I am excited to spend the day with you for Blogathon 2012!  Woo!

Today at Nebraska Humane Society…

Holiday Open House

I am switching to Real Life and heading to Nebraska Humane Society for the rest of the morning!  Hope to see you there!!

*****

And one last thing!  A picture of Joy the Puppy from Right This Minute in the first good snow of the season…

http://twitpic.com/7nsssx

Good News Wrap-Up for the Year

• I have not personally diagnosed or treated any heartworm positive patients this year.
• Most of my dog patients and an increasing number of cat and ferret patients are on monthly heartworm preventative year round.
• As far as I know, the awful flooding in and around Nebraska this past spring has not caused the huge regional increase in heartworm cases that many, including me, feared.

Bad News Wrap-Up for the Year

• Immiticide, the only approved canine heartworm preventative is still not available in the United States.  Melarsomine, the active ingredient in Immiticide, is being imported by Merial in very limited quantities with the blessing of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Anyone hear anything more recent from Merial?
• I missed the November dose of Wormshield for both dogs and the November dose of Revolution for Max the Cat.  If you have a perfect record of heartworm preventative dosing for every dog, cat and ferret you have ever owned ever from adoption forth, you may call me a slacker and throw a box of Heartgard at me.  *ouch*  You are right.  I deserved that.

Cool News Wrap-Up for the Year

• Some veterinarians are offering surgical removal of adult heartworms as a treatment.  Most notably, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has done quite a few of these surgeries since Immiticide became unavailable.

Noodle the Poodle - Wormshield tablet

Joy the Puppy – Wormshield tablet

Unrelated Cute Picture of My Dogs by the Purple Christmas Tree, 2009

Happy, Happy Holidays!

I hope this season is the best yet for you and your family.

If you miss a heartworm dose, do not be too hard on yourself.

Notice, as seen in this picture, that your pets think you are unconditionally awesome.  And they are very good judges of character.

Woo!  This just in from Elizabeth at NHS!

Naughty Kitten found a home!

Nameless Kitty found a home!

Foxy Roxy found a home!

All during Blogathon!  You guys rock.

Please click here to donate to Nebraska Humane Society…

Thank you!!

If you donate money to Nebraska Humane Society during Blogathon, your donation will be DOUBLED by a Secret Pet Saver. So if funds are tight, but you can give a few bucks, your money will go twice as far!

What else can you do to support Nebraska Humane Society?

Volunteer – If you are 15 years old or older, you can volunteer!

Support – In Real Life, on facebook, on twitter – So many pets, most notably the cats, have found homes because of your efforts in spreading their stories and pictures.

Wave – The animal control crew has a tough job.  Day-to-day work is rough, but they often have to check abuse cases, follow-up complaints and do other Pet Saving but emotionally exhausting things.  If you see their white vans with the cute pets and NHS logo, wave to let them know you appreciate them!

Shop – Animal Outfitters, the NHS gift shop right inside the front door has the funnest things – and some hard-to-find essential pet stuff, like unusual Kong products, Angel Eyes and Oxbow small animal products.

And Any Color of Leash You Could Possibly Need!

And Purple Mooses!

Donations – Many of the things needed by the pets at NHS you may already have around the house and not even know they can use!  For more ideas, check the NHS Wish List on their website.

blankets

towels

dog food

cat food

treats

toys

puppy and kitten formula and bottles

Warning: If your gift is too beautiful, they may hang it on the wall to make NHS more beautiful…I LOVE these quilts!  They always make me happy to be at NHS.

If you live outside of Omaha, your local shelter could probably use some of these gifts as well.  You can always call them and ask!

Please click here to donate to Nebraska Humane Society…

Thank you!!

It is 10:00 am Central Time and Nebraska Humane Society is opening RIGHT NOW for adoptions.

I didn’t mean to highlight so many adoptable pets over this past day.  I really meant to post cute pictures to go with my Blogathon posts.  But they are cute, huh?  If we raise lots of money for Nebraska Humane Society, and lots of pets find their forever home this weekend, how cool would that be?

If you happen to adopt a pet this weekend, let me know.

If you know of any pets who have been adopted, let me know.  Elizabeth!  Nikki!  Wake up!  Tell me the story of Dennis the Budgie again.  But make it louder and more dramatic…so I stay awake.  K thanks.

If you have room in your family, adopt.  If you have the means to give, donate.  If you want to know how else you can support Nebraska Humane Society, I will start a brainstorming list and post if for my next post.  Most of the ideas in my head are free…and all of them are fun.

Please click here to donate to Nebraska Humane Society…

Thank you!!

Ok, crisis averted, they just needed some dog food.

Please click here to donate to Nebraska Humane Society…

Thank you!!