Welcome to happy tails! where your pets' wellness is our priority!
What You Need To Know About Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a deadly disease of poultry. Recently, H5N1, a subtype of HPAI, was detected in wild birds and commercial and backyard poultry flocks in several U.S. States. With the increase of backyard producers and pet bird owners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs your help!
What is HPAI?
Avian influenza is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza type A viruses. These viruses are common in wild birds in the United States and around the world. In most cases, they cause few or no signs of infection. However, some subtypes, like H5N1, can cause severe illness and death in poultry.
How does HPAI spread, and which bird species are most susceptible?
HPAI spreads quickly through direct, bird-to-bird contact. It can also be transmitted via contaminated surfaces (such as clothing, shoes, and vehicles). Wild birds can spread the virus to new areas through their feces. Domestic poultry such as chickens and turkeys are most likely to experience severe disease and death from HPAI, with mortality rates often exceeding 90 percent. Birds of prey, ratites, and psittacine are also susceptible to HPAI infection.
What are the signs of HPAI?
The most common signs of HPAI include sudden death, decreased food and water consumption, lethargy, respiratory distress, nasal discharge, purple discoloration or swelling around the legs and head, a drop in egg production, and diarrhea.
What can you do to keep your birds safe?
There is no cure for HPAI. Good biosecurity is the key to keeping poultry safe.
1) Keep wild birds and rodents out of poultry houses and coops and away from backyard flocks and pet birds.
2) Secure feed bins and water and consider removing bird feeders to avoid attracting wild birds.
3) Keep visitors away from birds and avoid visiting other poultry farms or other people’s birds.
4) Wash hands and scrub boots before and after entering a poultry area. Wear disposable boot covers and coveralls, if possible. If you’ve been in areas frequented by waterfowl, change clothes and shoes before handling poultry.
5) Isolate new birds or those returning from shows for 30 days before introducing them to the flock.
6) Immediately report sick birds to your State Veterinarian or call USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
Questions? To learn more about HPAI, go to www.aphis.usda,gov and search "avian influenza." For more biosecurity tips, go to www.aphis.usda.gov and search "defend the flock." For information about avian influenza and human health, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
SIGN UP FOR PET PRO CONNECT
We are proudly partnered with Pet Pro Connect as our new client communications app!
Chat with our staff, view medical records, request appointments, and refill prescriptions all in one place!
Take advantage of PET PAW REWARDS launching in January of 2022!
Be on the ground floor of this new rewards program!
Ask for an invite and you will receive a special link via text and email!
How Pet Paws Work
- For every $10 you spend on products and services here at Happy Tails, you receive 1 Pet Paw
- These Pet Paws can be exchanged for products and services such as:
- Vaccinations
- Exams like technician visits and annual check-ups
- Blood work and lab tests
- Ear cleanings and nail trims
- Medication administration fees
- This program is completely FREE and available for all clients!
- No need to request Pet Paws! Pet Paws are automatically added to your Pet Pro Connect Account when you make purchases!
- Sign up for Pet Pro Connect and SAVE
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Ending Our Wellness Plan Program
We have decided as a hospital to end the Wellness Plan Program starting in 2022. However, we believe it necessary to honor contracts signed in 2021 that will expire in 2022, as a gesture of goodwill.
Once your plan has expired we will not be renewing it. We understand that this program was helpful to our clients in terms of budgeting so we strongly encourage your to sign up for PET PRO CONNECT! Earn points whenever you pay for your visits and use the points towards yearly wellness services like vaccines and lab tests.
If you have any questions please send us an email!
New Online Pharmacy
We care immensely about providing quick and easy solutions for your pet’s care. In 2022 we will be returning to VetSource as our online pharmacy. Clients who have been with us might remember VetSource from years past. VetSource promises to be a convenient, swift, order-anywhere, round the clock from any device option for sourcing all your food and medication needs. You may choose home delivery and pick-up at Happy Tails options for an expanded array of products and meds. You can trust that all items have been Happy Tails curated to be the safe quality you have come to expect from our in-hospital product lines.
Time To Adjust Prices
Please expect price increases in 2022 on some products and on all Happy Tails services and exams. We get it. No one likes this development, but we have not accounted for inflation for at least three years. Anyone purchasing gas, groceries, or hiring help realizes, especially this last year, how costs have soared. To attract good staff, purchase quality products, and simply keep from losing on every transaction and working ourselves into oblivion – WE MUST ADJUST! We ask for your understanding, as this is an industry-wide, and indeed economy-wide reality.
Staffing Shortages
Like many hospitals in this area, we are experiencing staffing shortages. Our improving technology will help. Although we are looking diligently for new nursing and reception staff, trainable or qualified individuals are difficult to find. We ask that you please be aware of the situation and be patient and kind- especially to our new trainees. Also, please step forward yourself, or refer friends or family interested in part-time or full-time positions at Happy Tails. We appreciate cool-headed maturity (at all ages), flexibility, diversity, and the energy to thrive in a fast-paced clinical setting. Contact Sam Swails (410) 437-7514, Option 3
Prescription Charges
In our effort to align prices with the actual cost of services, we will be adding prescription charges for anyone who does not receive their prescription during a scheduled appointment time. Written prescriptions that are picked up (post appointment) or mailed to clients will be subject to a service charge of $10. The cost of prescriptions processed picked up during appointments are covered by the cost of the product received. These will carry no additional service charge. However, when clients choose to fill their prescriptions outside of Happy Tails, yet burden our staff with the time-consuming processing and handling, our operations suffer. Our staff time is precious, and costly. This new charge reflects that reality.
COMING SOON!
Doggie Daycare
As you may or may not know, throughout all of 2021 we have been diligently expanding and renovating our facilities. We still have improvements underway! In 2022 we will begin to provide large and small doggie daycares with designated indoor care facilities and an outdoor playground. Stay tuned!
Cat Only Boarding Services
Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about your cats! We understand that our feline friends are very special and require care and quiet spaces made specifically for their needs. We are renovating to create a cat only quiet boarding space!