National Animal Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for a natural disaster is never an easy task, especially when you have a family that includes pets. As storm season approaches we would like to take this time to help you with disaster preparedness. Preparing earlier, rather than later can ensure you have all the necessary items needed for proper care during a time of disaster.

Food

One of the biggest issues when dealing with a disaster situation is running out of pet food. It is extremely important to ensure you have enough pet food stocked up and ready prior to a natural disaster. Ensure you have enough water and dry food put away to last up to 10 days for your pet.

Supplies

Another area pet owners need to do a check up on is additional supplies. If at some point you are required to evacuate you will want to ensure these items are readily available. Items to include in your emergency supplies include

• Extra copies of veterinary records
• Extra collars 
• Extra leashes
• Extra sanitation bags
• Bedding
• Toys
• Disinfectants

Evacuations

If you do end up having to evacuate your home, be sure to have handy evacuation route maps and a list of places that are pet-friendly shelters. You should also know of pet-friendly hotels or family members that could possibly take your pet for short time if needed.

Post Disaster

Both human and pets can be greatly affected post-storm. Watch pets closely, monitoring for any changes in their attitude and behavior. When walking your pet be sure to leash them and keep them close by as drastic changes to their environment may confuse them.
 
Being disaster-ready takes planning and preparedness, but with the right steps, you can ensure both you and your pet are properly prepared. If you still have questions, talk with us to make certain you have taken the all the necessary steps to ensure the best and safest outcome for you and your pet.

Hairball Management

Yes, cats are adorable, hairballs however not so much. Cats are known self-groomers, always working to keep their fur clean and in order. As a kitten grows into a full grown feline,  the amount of fur to deal with grows exponentially. This, in turn, means coping with hairballs.

As a cat licks itself, its tiny sandpaper-like tongue acts as a means to groom out the loose fur it has. This fur is then swallowed and enters the gastrointestinal tract. It generally exits in the cat’s feces, but not always. The fur that does not get passed ends up staying lodged in the stomach until being vomited out, aka a hairball.

Helping to Diminish

1. Ensure your cat is entertained. The more active a cat is the less likely it is to groom itself in an excessive way. 
2. Groom your cat every few days to help reduce the amount of fur consumed by your cat. 
3. Cat food. Certain foods help the cat to pass along swallowed fur. Talk with your Veterinarian to find the right food for your cat. 
4. Supplements. Certain ones may help your cat with passing it out. Talk with your veterinarian to help with the right supplement choice. 

Do know that hairballs are a normal event with a cat. They are especially normal during season change such as winter to spring, as the cat is shedding its heavier winter coat. It’s normal to see a few hairballs during this time, but if your cat is excessively getting rid of hairballs then it may be time to take them to your veterinarian.

Hairballs that do not make their way back up can also cause gastrointestinal issues for your cat. You will want to bring your cat to your veterinarian If you begin to notice symptoms such as

• Change in appetite
• Lethargy
• Excessive retching or gagging
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

 If you find your cat is starting to groom itself beyond normal reason, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. We hope you find these tips useful when it comes to dealing with your feline friend and their hairballs!

Preparing Your Pet For Flea & Tick Season

As the warm weather makes its way in for the summer it’s time to start thinking about protecting your pets from those pesky summer pests. Fleas and ticks can cause a host of different problems for your pet including infections and disease. Thankfully we can help to make sure these little buggers won’t mess with your summer fun and pet walks!

Tips for keeping your pets safe from fleas and ticks

• Collars

Tick collars are a good option and can be most effective at protecting the head and neck area. After attaching the collar ensure it is not too tight and allows for adequate room to breather. Also, follow up and check for signs of irritation or reactions to the collar.

• Flea & Tick treatments

Spending time outdoors with your pet means a higher level of exposure to fleas and ticks. Using a preventive treatment can help to reduce the chance of bites and infection. Consult with your veterinarian  about which treatments would best be suited to your pet.

• Wandering

Keep the amount of time your pets spend wandering through high grass and wooded areas to a minimum. Try keeping them in grassy areas that are well maintained. Also going for walks on sidewalks or trips to the beach are all great options for time outdoors.

• Lawn care

With a properly maintained lawn you can help with keeping fleas and ticks to a minimum. By trimming your lawn and bushes you help prevent spots for ticks to be, thus reducing the number in your yard. You may also consider a lawn treatment if you find areas on your property that have a concentration of ticks. You must exercise caution though as these treatments could be harmful to your pets.

• Be vigilant 

If your pet does spend a regular amount of time outdoors, be sure to check them daily for any signs of fleas and ticks. Keeping your pet’s coat shorter during the summer months can also aid with spotting the elusive little buggers on them.

While fleas and ticks can be a nuisance to you and your pets, following these helpful tips can help reduce the chances of picking them up. Always be sure to consult your Veterinarian regarding health topics for your pets and any preventive treatments you may be considering for them!

Ways Pets Help Improve Your Health

Coming home from a busy day at work, you are greeted at the door by your furry pal waiting for you. A wagging tail and a happy look on their face is all it takes to make your hard day melt away. Having a pet provides you with love and unconditional acceptance not to mention they are always there for you. This bond helps drastically in mental health. Here are some other ways pets help improve your health.

1.     Reduced Pain. It has been shown that with chronic pain such as arthritis, migraines and other conditions that pets can be an affective medicine. A Loyola study found that patients that received therapy dog visits post joint replacement needed 50% less post-op pain medication compared to other patients.

2.     Lower Cholesterol/Triglycerides.  The American Heart Association notes dogs help their owners adopt a healthier lifestyle. Studies show dog owners engage in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners.

3.     Lower Blood Pressure. Having a pet has shown to decrease and help keep blood pressure in check, especially with people who are at risk or diagnosed with high blood pressure.

4.     Stress Management. Thanks to their continual entertainment and loving ways pets provide a joyful mental break from whatever stresses may be beleaguering you.

5.     Depression Help. Along with medication in mild to moderate depression, those with a dog/cat seem to feel better. Their unconditional love helps with self-esteem along with positive focus provided by caring for them.

6.     Less Allergies. Recent studies have shown infants exposed to dogs have up to a 50% reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma.

Your pets are the heart and soul to your wellness. Through their unconditional love they help you enjoy and live a healthier life!

March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month

Originally the third week of March was dedicated to Poison Prevention Awareness, it has since grown to encompass the entire month. To help keep your pet safe and healthy it is extremely important to understand the harmful poisons that can be present in both your home and yard. Some of the items you may recognize easily, while others you might not have been aware of. 

Common items

Many items you can commonly find in a household such as food, plants and products. Here is a list of common items to help you better know what to be on the lookout for; 

• Chocolate 
• Poisons (rodenticides) 
• Household plants 

1. Lilies 
2. Aloe 
3. Philodendron 
4. Elephant ear 
5. Ivy 
6. Pothos 
7. Jade 
8. Dieffenbachia 
9. Sago Palm 
10. Zamioculcas 
11. Corn plant 

• Medications / Vitamins 
• Xylitol 
• Caffeine 
• Household Cleaners 
• Antifreeze 
• Insecticides 
• Herbicides

What to do?

If you suspect your pet has consumed any of these or another questionable substance, IMMEDIATELY call Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for assistance. The effects of ingestion can be instant or may take a few days. Accurate and timely identification of the questionable substance is also very important. Any information such as a label or ingredients can help save precious time and the life of your pet!

We love our furry friends, and they are an important part of our family. Knowing which items can pose a risk to your pet can help prevent unintentional poisoning! Do your part to keep them safe, stay educated, and if anything does happen don’t hesitate to call!

World Spay Day

February is recognized as spay/neuter month, and February 27^th is World Spay Day. The purpose of this recognition is to help raise awareness about pet overpopulation, the importance of spaying/neutering your pets and the added benefits it can help provide your pet.  

What is Spaying/Neutering

When you have a pet spayed or neutered you are removing their ability to produce offspring. Spaying is the removal of the female reproductive tract while neutering refers to the removal of the male's testes.

Why Spay/Neuter?

When your pet is spayed/neutered there are a number of added benefits to take into consideration. By helping to prevent the birth of unwanted litters you can help keep the pet population down. Spaying and neutering can also help lower the chances of health issues in the long term along with behavioral problems that can occur.

Other benefits include:

• Reduced risk of cancer
• Reduced aggression
• Reduced roaming
• Reduced spraying & marking
• Increased lifespan (3-5 years)

Spay/Neuter Procedure

When a pet is spay/neutered they will go through a full surgical procedure. This is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by a veterinarian. Your pet will undergo a regular surgical process that includes sterilization and general anesthesia. After completion, your pet will then be prescribed medications to help minimize the pain that may accompany the procedure. For the next few days after it is best to keep your pet as relaxed and calm as possible as this will help allow the incision from surgery to heal.

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet spaying/neutering is one of the most significant choices you can make. Contact us to schedule an appointment or for any additional information about spaying/neutering your pet.

Dental Health and Your Pet

Dental health is not only important for humans, but pets as well. A pet should have its teeth and gums checked annually to ensure a healthy mouth and help detect any problems early. Dental problems if left untreated may cause health issues for your pet. Some of the most common dental problems are very similar to people’s and include cavities, tissue inflammation and gum disease.

Brushing your pet’s teeth

Brushing your pet’s teeth may not be easy, but is a great way to help ensure the health of their teeth, gums and mouth. Regular brushings can help prevent many of the common oral issues a pet will encounter. This in turn could also help reduce trips to the vet down the road for dental problems. Not only does brushing help keep a pet’s teeth healthy, but the proper diet (more dry food, less wet) and treats formulated to help with dental health are also very beneficial.   

Health

It is important to have your pet’s teeth checked annually. This allows for early detection of a possible problem along with keeping your pet healthy.  Your pet should have its teeth checked sooner if you notice problems such as:

·      Bad breath

·      Discoloring of teeth, or excessive tartar

·      Pain around the mouth area

·      Bleeding from mouth

·      Broken/loose teeth

·      Extra teeth

·      Unusual chewing, drooling or mouth drooping

·      Refusing to eat, or reduced appetite

·      Swelling around mouth area

Veterinarian Dental Exam

When you take your pet to the veterinarian for their dental exam, it will begin with an oral examination of the pet’s teeth and gums. If needed, x-rays may be taken to help further evaluate the tooth structure unable to be seen. A thorough cleaning will then take place, and this is generally done under anesthesia to help minimize stress and ensure the safety of the pet and veterinarian. The cleaning includes similar procedures a person would experience including scaling (scraping off of tartar) followed up by polishing of the teeth.  

If you are unsure on the proper way to take care of your pet’s teeth, talk with your veterinarian. They can help instruct you on how to properly brush your pet’s teeth along with offering recommendations on dental products, foods and treats. Happy Brushing!