Just like humans, a pet’s health can sometimes change in the blink of an eye. New foods, changes in household environment, maturing pets, weather, stress – so many things can affect your pet’s overall well-being at different stages of their lives. The only difference is they cannot tell us when they are hurting or not feeling good. You may notice a change in behavior, eating habits or vocalization but you’re often left guessing what the underlying cause is, or if there is even one. If you ever notice any unusual variation in your pet’s behavior, a phone call to your vet or a vet visit would be suggested. Many vets often state that by the time a pet is showing outward signs of an illness, it sometimes can be too late for effective treatments for some conditions. Be in tune to your animals, they really can show you with subtle behavior changes over time that are out of character.
Many people know to take their pets to the vet in an emergency, but there are many personal and professional opinions on the frequency of taking your pets in for wellness exams and vaccines. For all your pets, especially senior animals, have a conversation with your vet to determine what’s best for your animal(s). Based on your pet’s overall health and medical condition, a detailed conversation with your vet can help you develop a game plan that will work best for your pet(s) & you. This will vary from animal to animal, and with vets as well.
There are no such things as silly questions….you are the voice for your pet. If you don’t understand a new diagnosis or proposed procedure or treatment, ASK QUESTIONS until you are comfortable enough with the information at hand to make an informed decision. You should trust your vet enough to determine what’s absolutely necessary and what’s preventative. Again, ASK if you don’t understand.
So are annual visits necessary if your pet is healthy?
Crazy as it seems, this answer will vary between licensed veterinarians and often within the same practice. Ask your vet directly what is best for your fur children. In general, an annual examination allows your vet to get the full picture of your pet’s health, from their heart to their lungs to their teeth and bone structure. Going annually will provide your vet the opportunity to notice subtle changes from year to year and address concerns as they arise. Catching an illness or disease early can hopefully help extend your pets life and keep them with you as long as possible.
In addition to the general wellness exam, your vet may recommend yearly vaccinations to help prevent against dangerous, potentially fatal diseases and illnesses. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s overall health and medical conditions to determine if they can receive the following vaccinations. In some cases, your vet may determine that your pet is not a candidate to receive a vaccine due to age or underlying medical conditions. It should be noted, that some counties and jurisdictions also require certain vaccines for required pet registrations/licenses. If you are uncertain of your local laws pertaining to owned pets, contact your local government office and inquire. If there are underlying medical conditions that prevent your animals from getting county required vaccines, ask your vet to write a letter on their practice letterhead. This will hopefully help with a medical exemption to county pet licensing rules if your pet falls into this category.
For cats, your vet will recommend if yours should get the following vaccinations:
Rabies (this is offered as a 1 or 3 year). Ask the pros & cons or do your own research to determine what you feel is the best option for your cat.
FVRCP- also known as “distemper” vaccine. Depending on the age of the kitten/cat, this could be a single or a series of boosters over a specific period of time.
For dogs, your vet will recommend which of the following vaccinations are best for your pooch:
Rabies
Distemper
Leptospirosis
Lyme
Bordatella
Canine Influenza
If your pet is generally healthy but getting along in years, your vet might also recommend routine bloodwork that can be done to establish a baseline for your pet’s health as they age, or to monitor certain current health concerns or changes.
At the end of the day, your pet is your heart and your family member. They are depending on you to give them the best care they need to stay healthy and well. Do your due diligence and your homework to look into the pros & cons of vaccines, if you have concerns. Remember, there is a big wide world often with so many different opinions even from licensed vets. The best option is to find a vet/practice that you trust and know that you can ask as many questions as you need. It’s your prerogative to get all the answers that give you comfort knowing the decisions you make on behalf of your beloved furballs are the best choice possible.
If you get a new medical diagnosis about your pet’s health, you can always opt for a second opinion. Same for treatments & procedures. Be an educated pet owner. Today, there are so many different options for pet care, from traditional veterinarian practices to holistic approaches incorporating acupuncture, lasers, homeopathy, and more. The right approach is the one you have researched and are most comfortable with.
Just like human medical care, if you choose to skip annual exams and potential vaccines, your pet could be placed at risk. A great vet will not only treat your pet as their own, but take the time to guide you thru the process of pet care.
Pet care can get expensive, and times are a bit challenging for some, which is why some people also try to self-diagnose & avoid going to a vet at all. Maybe pet insurance is a more affordable route for you & your pet. Again, so many options available that require a bit of research on your part. Medical vs Dental or a combination of both – what’s best for you? Like people, there are options involving different deductibles, waiting periods and monthly premiums.
At the end of the day, you are your pet’s voice. Wishing your pet(s) health & happiness in this new year!
If you have questions about your pet’s general health or the need of vaccines, please talk to your vet practitioner for their medical advice and guidance.
Ringing in the New Year can be full of celebrations, love, and lots of fun food and drinks. However, it can also be filled with danger and risks for your furry friends.
Read on for some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe, healthy and happy in the midst of all of the celebrating.
If you have outdoor pets, be sure and bring them inside before the festivities and outdoor fireworks begin. For people with horses or outside animals, make sure they have a safe, secure space to spend the evening while noisy, outside celebrations are going on.
Make sure your pets do have collars on, and with updated ID tags, especially dogs who are often more frightened than their feline counterparts. Take a few minutes to verify your microchip contact info in the event you’ve had recent changes or simply can’t remember. Being prepared for a worse case scenario may just help your pet in the event they do get outside & you’re aren’t able to readily catch them.
Be sure to keep your eye on all alcoholic drinks. The ingestion of alcohol in pets can lead to vomiting, unsteadiness and a drop in blood pressure. In certain cases, it can be fatal. Be sure all alcohol is kept out of reach and never unattended.
Be cautious of noisemakers and fireworks. While these are fun for you, they very well may terrify your pet. Make sure your pet is in a safe area, perhaps a separate room with comfort items and a place to hide. Make sure the pets do not have a way to escape as they may try to run when the noises start. Make sure all doors and windows are securely closed. Keep your pet inside during the noisy celebrations as they could be easily spooked and run.
Animals will often mistake non-edible products as a snack. Immediately clean up all confetti, streamers and other celebratory objects they can accidentally injest. No one wants to start the new year off at an animal hospital!
If you notice your pet developing anxiety, provide them with comforting items, food, water and try and distract them with play or relaxing activities. Some suggest putting the TV, radio or even a fan on to distract from the noise.
If you are having guests, make sure they know you have pets and make them aware to leave them in their quiet space. Even put a PET ZONE sign on the door to the space so guests know exactly where you furry children are. This will help prevent any accidental escapes. It is beneficial to warn your guests not to feed your pets any human food or snacks. Some people may not be aware of the risks of food and alcohol to pets.
In the event your pet does get out, be prepared with food, treats and favorite toys, to coax your frightened animal back in. Take a leash with you because you will want a means to secure them if loud, outside noises are still going on. Often when pets are in a fear-based mode, they are reluctant to even come to their humans. This will especially be the case if fireworks are going off in your area.
We hope that you and your pets have an enjoyable, safe and Happy New Year.
If your pets are anything like our pets, then we know they love treats and mooching your food!
Many human “snacks” can be dangerous to your animals so pet bakeries have opened around the United States as a way to offer delicious, fun treats that are safe for your furry friends. Not only can you get incredibly healthy treats for your dog and cat, but many are incredibly creative as well. Some of these bakeries even offer birthday cakes! Yes, your pet will definitely be the talk of the town!
With the holidays here, we have gathered just a small list of some amazing pet bakeries offering tasty treats both in-person and on-line. Check them out. You will probably find the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite furball!
But honestly, it doesn’t have to be a special occasion to celebrate your “best friend” with special treats. We’d love to hear your favorites, especially if it’s a fabulous find not on this list. Afterall, good dogs/cats need a favorite source for treats.
Now that Thanksgiving is over & the holiday season is upon us, this is the perfect time for us to go over some important tips to keep your pets safe and healthy.
Your halls will be decked, your tables full of food and your house filled with guests…how can you keep your pets safe with all of this? Read on and find out!
DANGEROUS FOODS FOR YOUR FURRY FRIENDS:
The holidays are filled with delicious food to warm your heart and soul. As much as your pets may beg, please never feed the following treats:
Chocolate or anything containing any amount of chocolate
Alcohol
Yeast Dough
Nutmeg
Dairy Products such as Milk, Cream & Cheese
Eggnog
Various Nuts
Onions
Garlic
Chives
Ham
Bacon
Raisins
Grapes
Bones or carcasses
The artificial sweetener Xylitol
Pets are naturally curious creatures. To ensure they do not pull a sneak attack, keep food away from the corners of the table, make sure all garbage cans are securely closed and never leave any food unattended.
PLANT SAFETY:
A beautiful plant can liven up your home and brighten a dark day. Did you know that some plants are toxic to your pets? Please check out the list below and “pet-proof” your home by removing these plants, not only in the holiday season but year-round too.
Holly
Mistletoe
Lilies
Amaryllis
Balsam
Pine
Cedar
Poinsettias
Potpourris
Tulips
Azalea
Daffodils
Christmas Cactus
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A DANGEROUS HOLIDAY DECORATION:
For some, having a Christmas tree is a tradition that you will never break. However, a tree can pose some risks for your pets. So, how can you keep them safe while having your beautiful tree protected too?
Make sure your tree is anchored safely to the floor so your excited cat or dog cannot knock it over.
Many will add fertilizer, aspirin, or sugar to the tree water to keep it healthy. DO NOT do this! The water should be 100% pure water and change it often as old water can become a breeding ground for bacterial growth.
All ornaments should be kept out of reach as the broken fragments can cause internal obstructions if ingested.
Finally, all wires should be placed in such a way that they are not exposed to the pets. A live electrical wire can cause shock and severe damage to the mouth if chewed on.
Additional decorations can pose a risk to your canine and feline friends.
If you are using an electrical Menorah, make sure the wires are safely hidden. If you are using candles, you should make sure that they are never left unattended as the pets can knock them over and cause a fire or burn themselves in the process.
Tinsel, yarn and ribbon are attractive to pets, especially cats. They will not understand that they should not ingest this so make sure to never leave it unattended or in areas that they can access. Ingesting these products is dangerous as it can get stuck in their intestines, requiring immediate surgery.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE HOLIDAY GUESTS:
If you happen to have any guests over this holiday season or at any time throughout the year, please read the tips below to ensure your pets stay inside and safe.
It is recommended to keep your pets in a safe room where they cannot sneak out of the door as people go in and out.
Let guests know prior how many pets you have so they are aware.
Make sure that your pet has identifications tags on in case they do get out and get lost. It is also recommended that your pet be microchipped for extra safety measures.
Pets can be easily overwhelmed by noise and company. It is always great to have a separate room or part of the house that the pet can escape to if they want to be alone in the quiet. Make sure this space has a bed and food/water and some comfort items.
We wish you and your pets a wonderful, safe and healthy holiday season and a Happy New Year!
