Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips


Know the limits: Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks. Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. The same goes for very young and very old pets. If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian. Provide choices: Just like you, pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe options to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs.

Stay inside. Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather. Make some noise: A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but it’s deadly. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost under the hood.

 Check the paws: Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During a walk, a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between his/her toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes. Play dress-up: If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Have several on hand, so you can use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder. Some pet owners also use booties to protect their dog’s feet; if you choose to use them, make sure they fit properly.

Wipe down: During walks, your dog’s feet, legs and belly may pick up deicers, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic. When you get back inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned after (s)he licks them off of his/her feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect your pets and the others in your neighborhood.

Collar and chip: Many pets become lost in winter because snow and ice can hide recognizable scents that might normally help your pet find his/her way back home. Make sure your pet has a well-fitting collar with up-to-date identification and contact information. A microchip is a more permanent means of identification, but it’s critical that you keep the registration up to date. Stay home: Hot cars are a known threat to pets, but cold cars also pose significant risk to your pet’s health. You’re already familiar with how a car can rapidly cool down in cold weather; it becomes like a refrigerator, and can rapidly chill your pet. Pets that are young, old, ill, or thin are particularly susceptible to cold environments and should never be left in cold cars. Limit car travel to only that which is necessary, and don’t leave your pet unattended in the vehicle. Prevent poisoning: Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly, as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly. Make sure your pets don’t have access to medication bottles, household chemicals, potentially toxic foods such as onions, xylitol (a sugar substitute) and chocolate.

Protect family: Odds are your pet will be spending more time inside during the winter, so it’s a good time to make sure your house is properly pet-proofed. Use space heaters with caution around pets, because they can burn or they can be knocked over, potentially starting a fire. Check your furnace before the cold weather sets in to make sure it’s working efficiently, and install carbon monoxide detectors to keep your entire family safe from harm. If you have a pet bird, make sure its cage is away from drafts.

Avoid ice: When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don’t know if the ice will support your dog’s weight, and if your dog breaks through the ice it could be deadly. And if this happens and you instinctively try to save your dog, both of your lives could be in jeopardy. Provide shelter: We don’t recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns. Recognize problems: If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect, and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Be prepared: Cold weather also brings the risks of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit, and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water and medicine (including any prescription medications as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least 5 days. Feed well: Keep your pet at a healthy weight throughout the winter. Some pet owners feel that a little extra weight gives their pet some extra protection from cold, but the health risks associated with that extra weight don’t make it worth doing. Watch your pet’s body condition and keep them in the healthy range. Outdoor pets will require more calories in the winter to generate enough body heat and energy to keep them warm – talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s nutritional needs during cold weather.

Source: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cold-weather-pet-safety.aspx

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Senior Pet Month: Packages for Senior Pets


We can provide you with information on how best to care of your senior pet. Check out our Senior Pet Packages below!


FELINE SENIOR
7 Y EARS AND ABOVE
Indoor Senior Cats
$436 
($300 Savings)
$149 Initial Payment
$24/mo for 12 months
Outdoor Senior Cats
$496 
($350 Savings)
$149 Initial Payment
$29/mo for 12 months


COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION 
VACCINATIONS 
FVRCP-P, RABIES, FELV 
(OUTDOORS), FIV 
(OUTDOORS) 
INTESTINAL PARASITE EXAM 
COMPREHENSIVE SR. BLOOD WORK 
FELV/FIV TEST (OUTDOOR) 
FELINE HEARTWORM TEST 
DENTAL CLEANING 
RADIOGRAPHS (SEE CANINE SR) 
BI-ANNUAL EXAMINATION 
GLAUCOMA SCREENING 
EKG - CARDIAC SENIOR SCREEN


CANINE SENIOR
7 Y EARS AND ABOVE

$595 
($300 Savings)
$149 Initial Payment

$37/mo for 12 months


ALL OF THE ABOVE FOR ADULTS 
- PLUS- 
COMPREHENSIVE SR. BLOOD WORK 
RADIOGRAPHS (X-RAYS) 
SENIOR SCREEN/BASELINE 
CHEST AND ABDOMEN
BI-ANNUAL EXAMINATION 
GLAUCOMA SCREENING 
EKG - CARDIAC SENIOR SCREEN 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Don't Ignore Breathing Difficulties in Shortnosed Dogs

Unfortunately, the only thing normal about noisy breathing for dogs with "pushed-in" faces is
that it is an expected response to a shortened upper jaw, which creates excess soft tissue in the
back of the throat.

Some dogs are affected to the point where they experience brachycephalic (the scientific term for
breeds with pushed in faces) obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS. If left untreated, problems
can get worse to the point where an animal can collapse due to a lack of oxygen.

Owners of affected dogs may be putting them at risk if they do not recognize the problem and
seek treatment, according to researchers Rowena Packer, Dr. Anke Hendricks and Dr. Charlotte
Burn of the United Kingdom's Royal Veterinary College.

In their 2012 study, the researchers discovered that owners of such dogs as pugs, English
bulldogs, Pekingese, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Shih tzus
and others were not aware of the signs of BOAS. In fact, 58% of surveyed owners said their dogs
did not have breathing problems even when more than two-thirds of the dogs showed difficulties
during exercise.

What to watch for
According to Packer, while it is not yet known which are the best predictors of BOAS, signs to
look for include:
• Increased and abnormal breathing noise that sounds like snoring, both when the dog is
awake and asleep
• A shortness of breath while exercising or playing
• Effortful, labored breathing with obvious abdominal movements
• Interrupting exercise, play or eating to catch their breath
• Inability to exercise for reasonable periods of time without becoming out of breath
• Difficulty cooling down after a walk; panting for long periods
• Physical collapse while exercising
• Difficulty sleeping and/or periods where the dog stops breathing during sleep
• Restlessness and difficulty getting comfortable at rest, stretched out head and neck
position, forelegs spread and body flat against the floor
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as difficulty swallowing, and bringing up food,
stomach content or a lot of saliva.

"If you notice these signs, take your dog to your veterinarian for an assessment to learn whether
they are compatible with the disease or due to a different problem," says Hendricks.
"If left to develop," says Burn, "BOAS can lead to secondary problems due to the effort required
to breathe—putting pressure on the voice box, digestive system and heart. In addition, the more
severe the breathing problems, the greater the severity of GI signs. They may reflect
inflammation of the esophagus, stomach ulcers and, in some cases, hiatal hernias, when part of
the stomach can become displaced into the chest cavity during breathing."

Option for severe BOAS
If your veterinarian believes the dog may have BOAS that requires treatment, he or she may refer you to a veterinary surgical specialist. There, the dog's airway is likely to be examined
under general anesthesia to assess whether it shows the abnormalities associated with BOAS—an
elongated soft palate, collapsing voice box and narrowed nostrils.
If present, these abnormalities would be surgically corrected, says Packer. That could mean, for
example, that excess tissue in the nose and throat would be removed.
Surgery may improve clinical signs, she says, but the dog may never be "normal," because of the
head structure and is likely to remain susceptible to heat stress.
For severely affected dogs, where significant secondary problems have occurred—for example,
severe laryngeal collapse—then treatment choices may be limited. In some cases, either
permanent tracheostomy or euthanasia may be recommended.

"That is why it is vital," says Hendricks, "that owners recognize the clinical signs of BOAS and
perceive them to be a ‘problem' as early as possible, so that these secondary changes can be
avoided by early intervention."

Options for mildly affected dogs
For all dogs, including those that have had surgery or have been determined by a veterinarian to
only be mildly affected, owners can help with some lifestyle changes, says Burn. Owners should
do the following:
• Closely monitor the dog to keep it at a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can
exacerbate the condition.
• Use body harnesses rather than collars on walks so the airway is not compressed by a
neck collar if the dog pulls at the leash.
• Avoid walking on hot or humid days. On particularly warm days, keep dogs calm and
indoors in a cool, aerated room with access to water.
• Avoid having dogs in particularly stressful or exciting situations.
Originally published by Healthy Pet.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

MEET THE STAFF: Charlotte Thomas, Technician

Meet Charlotte Thomas, Technician at Fayette Veterinary Medical Center! Charlotte joined the practice in spring of 2012, as a Veterinary Technician. She is always bubbly and optimistic. Charlotte is married with 2 boys, 1 girl, 2 dogs, 1 guinea pig, 9 chickens, a rooster and 9 fish. Charlotte loves spending time at the ball field watching her children play, camping, and going to the beach. We are grateful to have Charlotte on our team!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Dog House Repairs Month

Does your dog have his or her own house? It's Dog House Repairs Month! Make sure that it’s in good shape this summer! Check the interior corners for beehives, and make sure to repair leaks and splinters in the wood.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Happy Work Anniversary to Amber Garrett!

We at Fayette Veterinary Medical Center just want to take a moment to celebrate Amber Garrett’s work anniversary. This year will mark a very special anniversary for Amber. This will be her last here at FVMC. Amber has been with us since June 8, 2001. She started working in the kennel as a kennel technician and has worked her way up to one of our senior surgical technicians. Amber will be leaving us in the fall to start nursing school. It has been her dream and goal to become a nurse and we have and will continue to prayerfully support her. So Happy 12 Year Anniversary Amber, we love you and hope for nothing but the best in your future!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

What Would You Do If....

...your dog ate the bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips that was left out on the kitchen counter?

 ...your cat had a seizure right in front of you?

 ...your dog fell down the stairs and started limping?

 ...your cat was overheating on a hot summer day?

To avoid the feelings of panic that may accompany these situations, we recommend the following steps to better prepare you for a pet medical emergency. The following links summarize the basics you need for giving first aid care to your pet.
Always remember that any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until it receives veterinary treatment.
First aid supplies
Our handy checklist tells you all the supplies you should have on hand for pet first aid. Print out a copy to use for shopping, and keep a copy on your refrigerator or next to the first aid kit for your family, for quick reference in emergencies.
How to handle an injured pet
Knowing how to comfort an injured pet can help minimize your pet's anxiety and also protect you and your family from injury.
Basic pet first aid procedures
Read our simple instructions for providing emergency first aid if your pet is suffering from poisoning, seizures, broken bones, bleeding, burns, shock, heatstroke, choking or other urgent medical problems. Print out a copy to keep with your pet emergency kit.
First aid when traveling with your pet
A few simple steps can better prepare you to help your pet in first aid situations while you are traveling. Remember: pet medical emergencies don't just happen at home.
Pets and disasters
Whether confronted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, or unexpected catastrophes such as a house fire, you need to be prepared to take care of your animals. A pre-determined disaster plan will help you remain calm and think clearly.

Additional pet first aid links

Adapted by an article posted by the AVMA.


Friday, March 29, 2013

It's Allergy Season Again!


 
Any veterinarian who sees allergic dogs has listened to the frustrations of the owners in dealing with the itch, the odor, the hair loss, and the never-ending nature of this disease. Many owners, especially those who have no experience themselves with allergies, have unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved. It is critical to help them understand that allergies are forever......and they will probably always itch more than "normal" dogs.  This is a hard reality to accept, but to be successful in management of allergies, we must be glad when small changes occur over a long period of time.  It is critical to have great follow-up and lots of communication with your veterinarian in order to tailor a plan that fits the patient.  Multimodal treatment usually follows smart diagnostics.  "Guessing" is not the smart way, because treatment for one itchy problem may make another worse.  Let's talk about allergies and see that patient.  Even though it is allergy season, skin infections, parasites, or auto-immune diseases may still be the primary cause of your pet's itchy problem.  Call for an appointment today.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

February is Pet Dental Health Month



Did you know that a healthy mouth is a necessary aspect of your pet's overall physical health? February is Pet Dental Health Month and we urge you to bring your pet in for a dental appointment this month and receive a 10% discount on the total cost of the dental, just mention you saw it on Facebook!!! Keep your pets’ mouth fresh and disease free this February! www.fayettecountypets.com

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Laser Therapy

Fayette Veterinary Medical Center is proud to offer Class IV laser therapy to our clients as an effective treatment for many cases of acute and chronic pain, inflammation and wound healing. Laser therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, and has the benefit of being a drug-free, non-surgical, safe means of providing lasting pain.



 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

National Pet Travel Safety Day

Are you taking a road trip this winter? Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day, a day set aside to remind pet owners of the importance of pet safety on the road. It’s important to use restraints that are designed for pets when you’re traveling in a car or even restraining a carrier. If you have questions about travel safety for pets, we’ll be glad to answer them!