More cold preparation

     Last week we talked about preparations to keep your pet warm and safe in the colder months.  Today, we are going to talk about some of the impact the cold weather can have on a specific population of pets:  our arthritic ones.  Arthritis is an all too prevalent condition in our pet population.  Animals, like humans, experience stiffness and pain due to arthritis and these symptoms tend to become aggravated by both cold and damp weather.  There are several things pet owners can do to try to minimize discomfort during this winter season.  First, make sure that your pet has a soft, well cushioned surface to sleep/rest on.  Things such as orthopedic foam or baby crib mattresses work well.  Make sure that the pet can traverse the house on solid, non slip surfaces such as carpet or rugs.  Many arthritic pets actually benefit from an increase in the frequency of walks; however do not necessarily increase the duration of the walks.  It is typically better for an arthritic pet to take multiple short walks throughout the day as opposed to one long walk.  Remember, if your pet experiences an increased amount of activity, that you can expect a corresponding increase in soreness or discomfort over the next few days.  This brings up the importance of making sure that your pet is on a quality joint support formula going into the winter season.  Additionally, some arthritic pets may require the use of additional medications intended for use during acute flare ups of arthritis.  It is critical that you discuss the use of any additional pain medications with one of our staff members or veterinarians prior to use.  Under no circumstances should ANY of the typical over the counter human pain medications be used.  Please call our office if you have further questions on how to manage your pet's arthritis.

Colder weather is coming

     It seems that we have finally put the brutal heat of the summer behind us for good.  We still are fortunate enough to have some nice temperate days but we all know that colder weather is approaching, and we need to make sure that our pets are as prepared as we are.  If your pet is strictly outdoors, you should ensure that there is a well insulated shelter area for the pet to retreat to in times of cold weather.  For dogs, obviously some form of dog house is ideal.  Cats (as always) are a little more difficult, as they tend to seek their own areas to hide out in, but you can at least provide a small enclosure/hut with bedding in case they use it.  Outside water bowls should always be checked to make sure that the water hasn't frozen over.  Close monitoring of upcoming weather, especially if it is more cold than normal should alert clients that pets may need to be brought indoors or into garages as added protection.  Pet owners should also be extremely careful about access pets have to things in the environment.  Commonly, antifreeze is changed, and as many people know is toxic to pets.  Be sure that there are no other chemical agents around the yard/garage that could pose a health hazard.  If pets are primarily inside, then there aren't as many concerns, but you should remember that our indoor pets aren't as acclimated to cold weather, and should not be left outdoors for lengthy time periods.  Additionally, pets should not be allowed to come into the close vicinity of space heaters or other sources of heat (electric blankets, wood stoves, etc) as thermal burns can easily occur.  If you have questions about the cold weather and your pet, please call our staff for more information.

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!