Posts from November, 2011

It’s that time of year again! Sure, you want your pets to take part in the holiday festivities.  Make sure that you aren’t making a post-holiday vet visit, though, by avoiding the following:

• Turkey bones- What may seem like a tasty treat could end up lodged in your pet’s intestines!
• Bread dough- Raw bread dough can expand in your pet’s stomach and potentially cause a life-threatening emergency.
• Raw foods- Pets can get salmonella just like the rest of us.  Undercooked meat and cookie batter are best served cooked.
• Over-indulgence- While Turkey Day often results in loosening a notch on our belts, pets who have a little too much of a good thing may end up with stomach upset, diarrhea, or more serious conditions.

If your pet does end up eating something that he shouldn’t have, please contact us.

Here are the top 10 reasons to consider adopting an older pet when making an addition to your family!

1. By taking home a senior pet you are making a statement- to your friends, your family, and to society, that these lives are valuable too!
2. An older pet is more likely to already be housebroken. No puppy puddles!
3. You know what size pet you are getting!
4. They are ready to go- you can immediately start the fun activities associated with pet ownership like going for walks as they probably can already walk on a leash!
5. Your love and attention won’t ever go unappreciated.
6. Because senior pets are usually the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized in a shelter, you can feel good knowing that you have very likely saved a life.
7. You will be ensuring your new older pet a comfortable, happy life instead of one in a shelter.
8. A senior pet is not likely to demand as much attention as a younger animal- by adopting a senior citizen you can finish your cup of coffee in peace!
9. What you see is what you get.  You can more easily assess temperament, health issues, and other behavior traits in an older pet.
10. You can go to sleep each night knowing that you have made a good choice.

And remember, bring your newly adopted pet to us for a first exam, parasite check, and rabies shot – all FREE!

The week of November 6-12 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, and with around 6-8 million homeless animals in the United States, these facilities deserve some recognition!  Here are a few ways that you can get involved and make a difference too:

• Consider adopting a pet.  Not only are you giving a needy animal a great home, you are freeing up a place and resources for another homeless animal within the shelter system. And remember, we will give your adopted pet a free first exam, parasite check, and rabies vaccine!
• Volunteer.  Get in touch with your local shelter and find out how you can help.  Not all volunteering is cleaning cages and walking dogs.  Your local shelter may need help with fundraising, graphic design, or other areas in which you may have some expertise.
• Donate.  While money is always nice, many times shelters are in need of other items like blankets, towels, food, and the like.  Ask your local shelter what types of items they may need.  Consider initiating a pet food drive or something similar within your church, school, workplace, or community.
• Set an example.  Be sure your pets are spayed or neutered (further helping the pet over-population problem) and are properly identifiable with tags and/or a microchip.

There are countless ways that you can make an impact on the shelter system in your area.  And what better time to get involved?

Pets often require special attention as they get older.  Here are a few common areas where they may need a little help:

Loss of vision/hearing:

Senior pets may not hear or see as well as they once did.  There is often nothing that can be done about these changes, so we must help them as much as possible.  Do not startle pets that cannot hear or see you coming.  Avoid rearranging furniture and other objects in the household if your pet does not see well.

Difficulty getting around:

Arthritis is a very common problem in the older pet.  There are many ways to help your pet get around, though.  Steps or ramps made can help your senior animal continue to enjoy car rides or sitting in the window.  Your pet may require a softer place to rest.  There are also a variety of medications and treatments that can help with arthritis pain.

Changes in personality:

Older pets may not be as tolerant as they once were simply because they hurt.  Take this into consideration, particularly when they are around small children who may not always be gentle.  Pets can also suffer from a form of dementia known as cognitive dysfunction.  Any major changes in personality indicate the need for an examination by your vet.

Accidents in the house:

Loss of housebreaking may indicate a health problem that should be investigated immediately.

If you’re noticing these or any other changes in your aging pet and would like to discuss his care, please feel free to contact us.