Itching for relief

     One of the most common complaints pet owners have is that their dog (usually), or cat (occasionally) has skin irritation and is chewing, biting, licking, rubbing, or all of the above.  This problem can be either relatively minor in scale or can be a major impediment.  There are a multitude of things that can cause skin inflammation.  Most commonly we see allergies (fleas, environmental, food).  Pet owners are obviously seeking relief for these itchy pets.  A safe at home medication to start animals on is benadryl.  Pets can also be bathed in oatmeal based shampoos to obtain temporary relief.  The most important thing to do is to have your pet evaluated when itching occurs, so that our therapy can be specifically targeted to your pet.  Pet owners should bear in mind that control of itchy animals can be a long drawn out process, so patience is crucial as we work through treatment options.  Rarely, it becomes necessary to refer our pets to a board certified dermatologist for consulation and further diagnostics such as intradermal skin testing.

Planning your travels

     As the holiday season approaches, pet owners are often left in a quandary about what to do with their pets during times of travel.  Midlands Veterinary Practice offers boarding for your pets during these holiday times.  Our facility offers climate controlled indoor runs and cages for your cats and dogs.  The holiday season is quite busy for our boarding facilities and we strongly recommend that you set up anticipated boarding as early as possible.  It's much better to have a slot reserved and not need it than to need it and not have it.  All pets that board with us need to have vaccinations that are up to date.  Owners who have had vaccinations administered at another facility will need to bring records of vaccination.  Our vaccination requirements for cats are rabies and rhinotracheitis-calicivirus-panleukopenia;  our canine requirements are rabies, distemper-hepatitis-parainfluenza-leptospirosis-parvovirus, bordetella, and influenza.  A special note regarding influenza vaccination is in order:  if your pet has not had an influenza vaccination, it will need to be given an initial injection, followed by a booster in two weeks, followed by yearly boosters thereafter.  In order to provide the most complete immunity, your pet should receive initial influenza vaccination and booster at least one month prior to boarding.  While your pet stays with us, please let us know if there are any additional services that need to performed, such as examinations, microchips, nail trims, or baths.  We welcome your pet during the holiday season if you're unable to have them travel with you.

A credit card for your pet

     Pet owners can't predict the future, and we all know that our pets are as likely as we are to have accidents occur that necessitate significant financial expense.  Most pet owners do not have a budget specifically for these instances, so when a crisis occurs we many times find ourselves racing around desperately trying to secure funds for our pets' needs.  One solution to this problem is the use of CareCredit.  This is essentially a credit card used for medical expenses (both human and veterinary expenses).  As with a traditional credit card, pet owners will need to apply for approval.  Fortunately the application and approval process is quite rapid.  Pet owners can apply online or on the phone and receive a response almost instantly.  CareCredit offers varying repayment options, allowing clients the flexibility to pick what payment arrangements work best.  Pet owners are encouraged to investigate CareCredit before an emergency happens.  Contact our staff for further details.

(No) trick or treats

     It's scary how fast the year is going by, and now Halloween is just around the corner.  We want you and your furry family to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.  A few reminders are in order about this holiday.  First, remember that candy and snacks are for kids and adults, not our pets.  Make sure that all bags of candy and snacks are kept in a secure area not accessible to pets.  Make sure that pets and young children with candy are not left unsupervised.  If your pet ingests a candy or snack item, be sure to check with our staff or if we are closed with the staff of South Carolina Veterinary Emergency Care to determine the appropriate course of action.  Remember that there will be an increase in activity in and around the house on Halloween, so be sure that all pets are placed in a secure and comfortable place, such as crate or bedroom until trick or treating is over.  Additionally, monitor all outdoor activities closely.  It's easy to have a pet become nervous or excited and run off.  It is generally encouraged have all pets kept indoors during the majority of this holiday, as malicious behavior is especially common during Halloween.  With a few extra precautions, this Halloween can be a safe and happy one for pets and for you.

safe travels

     The holiday season is closing in fast, and for many pet owners that means traveling to see family and friends.  Of course we want to bring our pets along on these travels, but it's as important to take safety precautions for our pets as it is for us.  There is a tendency to give our pets free access to the vehicle while traveling, however this is an unsafe practice because we need to be focused on our driving.  Dogs should be either safety belted into a dog specific seat belt during travel, or placed in a securely fastened crate or kennel.  Cats should be placed in a securely fastened crate or kennel.  Some pets may exhibit motion sickness or anxiety during travel.  Please contact our staff for further information on how to handle these specific cases.  If travel with your pet is not an option, please contact us for information on boarding your pet for you.  We wish you and your pets safe and happy travels this holiday season!