And please remember more pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year.
Showing posts with label animal hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal hospital. Show all posts
Happy Independence Day!
Wishing all a safe and happy Fourth of July!
And please remember more pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year.
And please remember more pets are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year.
April is National Heartworm Awareness Month
Did you know that April is National Heartworm Awareness Month. Is your pet protected? Prevention is the key to avoiding a painful treatment, prolonged recovery, or possible death from heartworm disease.How do dogs and cats get heartworm disease? There's only one way - through an infected mosquito bite. It cannot be spread from one pet to another. Mosquitoes become infected by biting an animal that has the disease. The infected mosquito then bites a dog or cat and passes microscopic, infective larvae to them. If the pet is not on a heartworm preventive all year, the larvae mature and multiply, causing damage to the heart and lungs.
We have been asked if indoor pets can get heartworm disease, the answer is yes. Mosquitoes can get inside a home, particularly in South Florida as your family and pets are in and out of the home enjoying the beautiful weather. If only takes one bite for a cat or dog to become infected. Any exposure to mosquitoes, inside or outside, can put a pet at risk.
The best way to prevent this potentially fatal disease is to use and keep your pet on preventive medicine all year. It's also important to have your pet tested once a year. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about heartworm disease and how best to protect your pet or contact Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center for more information.
Halloween Dangers
Did you know that the week of Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for your pet? Calls to veterinarians and the Pet Poison Hotline increase an average of 12% during this week. “Each year we experience a sharp increase in calls around Halloween, especially during the weekends surrounding the holiday,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline.
“Most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or décor. Chocolate is one of the most problematic candies as dogs and cats cannot metabolize it as well as people. Thus, it places them at risk for poisoning.”
According to the Pet Poison Hotline the four most common food-related Halloween hazards for pets are chocolate, candy overindulgence, raisins and candy wrappers.
Let's make it a safe holiday for your pet.
Give the Dog a Bone…
A bone is and always
will be a special treat in your dog’s eyes. They love bones, big beef bones. You
can pick them up at the grocery store when you do your grocery shopping.
Not only does your pet
feel extra loved, but the bonus is that while he is chewing and gnawing on the
bone, his teeth are getting pearly white.
There are a few precautions
to take to ensure that only enjoyment comes from this treat and not a trip to
the vet’s office.
Safe bones for your dog:
- Edible bones: hollow, non-weight bearing bones of birds that is soft and pliable. They do not contain marrow and can be crushed in a meat grinder
- Recreational Bones: big chucks of beef or bison femur or hip bone filled with marrow.
Bone Safety:
- Feed them the bone in their crate, outside, or somewhere the bone will not make a mess
- Supervise your pet while he is working on the bone
- Separate dogs in a multi-dog home
Avoid giving bones to dogs that…
- Have had dental work done (restorative)
- Are susceptible to pancreatitis
- Could possibly attempt to swallow hole
- May be able to bite it in half
When you give your dog a
bone, LEAVE HIM ALONE!
Dogs can get very
possessive about their bones. Bones are one of those things that will make a
dog growl when you try and take it away from him. Bones are a very special
treat and your dog wants to enjoy that treat in a relaxing place where he can truly
enjoy it.
Possible Dangers include
- Broken teeth
- Mouth or tongue injury
- Gets stuck in dogs esophagus, windpipe, or intestine
- Peritonitis
- Constipation due to bone fragments
Good Dog!
Sit, Stay, Laydown…Good dog!
- A well trained dog does not bother your guests.
- A well trained dog does not come when called.
- A well trained dog does not pull the leash.
- A well trained dog does not jump on people.
- A well trained dog does not beg at the table.
- A well trained dog does listen to commands when given.
- A well trained dog does go to their spot and chill out.
- A well trained dog does walk on a loose leash.
- A well trained dog does welcome guests without harassing.
An untrained dog has less privileges and interactions with your
family. When friends come over to visit, your dog is ushered into his cage or
another room to avoid jumping. When the family is having dinner, back to the
cage he is sent to avoid begging. He is only
allowed off leash in the backyard, anywhere else he will run and you will have
to chase him down.
Dogs are social animals. They love to interact with their
family members on a regular basis. Depriving
your dog of regular family time is one of the cruelest forms of punishment. Spending
quality time with your dog training him to be the beloved family member you
brought him home to be is best for the family.
Our Grooming Services
Did you know that Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center offers professional pet grooming? Our staff maintains a clean, secured and stress free environment for your pets safety and hygiene. Proper grooming not only for aesthetic purposes but adds to your pet overall health. Don't hesitate to contact for a consultation.Surgical Facilities at Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center
Surgical Facilities at Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center, a photo by Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center on Flickr.
Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center
Our new state of the art veterinary center located in Boynton Beach and serving all of South Florida. The facility is a fully equipped animal hospital that includes grooming, boarding and rehabilitation.
Can I Have A Puppy?
"Please, can I have a puppy?" As a parent, we've all been asked.
Rather than dodge the question, parents should consider whether their family is ready for a pet, says Sharon Bergen, senior vice president of education and training for Knowledge Learning Corporation, the nation's leading provider of early childhood care and education.
Bergen suggests that parents weigh the pros and cons of adding a pet to the household before agreeing to a child's request. "A pet can teach children responsibility and become a wonderful addition to a family-or it can be a burden," she says. Bergen recommends families consider the following before deciding.
Who will care for the pet? Families should agree beforehand who will be responsible for feeding, walking, bathing and cleaning up after the pet.
Do you have space for a pet? Families living in apartments or townhouses may prefer a cat, a bird or fish, rather than a Labrador retriever. Check the library or Internet to learn more about different types and breeds of pets to determine the one most suitable for your family.
Owning a pet is time consuming and may be expensive. Family members should realize that they may have to give up other activities to properly care for a pet. If the prospect seems too daunting, parents may suggest waiting until the child is old enough to help care for an animal.
Bergen recommends the whole family meet the animal before deciding to take it home. Owning a pet is a long-term commitment, so think carefully before adopting a furry new family member.
Rather than dodge the question, parents should consider whether their family is ready for a pet, says Sharon Bergen, senior vice president of education and training for Knowledge Learning Corporation, the nation's leading provider of early childhood care and education.
Bergen suggests that parents weigh the pros and cons of adding a pet to the household before agreeing to a child's request. "A pet can teach children responsibility and become a wonderful addition to a family-or it can be a burden," she says. Bergen recommends families consider the following before deciding.
Who will care for the pet? Families should agree beforehand who will be responsible for feeding, walking, bathing and cleaning up after the pet.
Do you have space for a pet? Families living in apartments or townhouses may prefer a cat, a bird or fish, rather than a Labrador retriever. Check the library or Internet to learn more about different types and breeds of pets to determine the one most suitable for your family.
Owning a pet is time consuming and may be expensive. Family members should realize that they may have to give up other activities to properly care for a pet. If the prospect seems too daunting, parents may suggest waiting until the child is old enough to help care for an animal.
Bergen recommends the whole family meet the animal before deciding to take it home. Owning a pet is a long-term commitment, so think carefully before adopting a furry new family member.
Leash Training Your Dog: Dog Training Advice
As a responsible and caring dog owner, you will undoubtedly spend a lot of your time in training your puppy. You will probably do some crate training, obedience training, maybe even agility training. But, one of the most enjoyable things you can do for your companion is leash training. He may not think very highly of it at first, but once he has the hang of it, your outside time with him will be much more enjoyable for you both.
Most experts recommend that you begin leash training your dog when he is around six or seven weeks old. Usually at this age, he will have a better attention span, and will be up for walks with you.
When you first start walking with your puppy, you may want to allow the puppy some freedom at first, so that he can explore his area and play. The training at this time will be teaching your puppy to stay with you during your walk, and come when you call him. By letting the puppy explore, and then calling his name, he will learn that you want him to come back to you. It is important to praise and reward your puppy when he does come when you call him. Some trainers will use treats to get the puppy to follow them at first. Due to his short attention span, you should not expect this to work for long. You should give the puppy a treat, and let him go play, then try again a little later. By using treats and rewards, and being patient, your puppy will catch on fairly quickly.
When your puppy has mastered the walk without a leash, and coming to you when you call him, you can probably begin training him on a lead. Most veterinarians will recommend starting with a nylon collar before trying a choker collar. Most of the time, the choker collar is not needed, unless you have a very strong willed puppy.
Usually the best place to start leash training is your own backyard. The puppy is probably already very familiar with this area now, so he will be less focused on exploring, and more on training. You also don’t have to worry about other animals on the scene, as you would at a park or local walking track.
Again, when you have the collar on and are ready to begin, bend down and offer a treat to get your puppy to come to you. After successfully doing this a few times, start to walk a little with the puppy on the leash. If your puppy follows you, praise him and give him a treat. In the event he does not follow, which often is the case the first time around, start all over again. Once he starts to follow you without resistance, try walking a little bit further each time. Your puppy will soon learn to be lead, without him even noticing he is doing something he may not want to do.
Continue working with your puppy often, as any training should be ongoing. The more training and practice your puppy gets, the more accustomed to the leash he will become.
Most experts recommend that you begin leash training your dog when he is around six or seven weeks old. Usually at this age, he will have a better attention span, and will be up for walks with you.
When you first start walking with your puppy, you may want to allow the puppy some freedom at first, so that he can explore his area and play. The training at this time will be teaching your puppy to stay with you during your walk, and come when you call him. By letting the puppy explore, and then calling his name, he will learn that you want him to come back to you. It is important to praise and reward your puppy when he does come when you call him. Some trainers will use treats to get the puppy to follow them at first. Due to his short attention span, you should not expect this to work for long. You should give the puppy a treat, and let him go play, then try again a little later. By using treats and rewards, and being patient, your puppy will catch on fairly quickly.When your puppy has mastered the walk without a leash, and coming to you when you call him, you can probably begin training him on a lead. Most veterinarians will recommend starting with a nylon collar before trying a choker collar. Most of the time, the choker collar is not needed, unless you have a very strong willed puppy.
Usually the best place to start leash training is your own backyard. The puppy is probably already very familiar with this area now, so he will be less focused on exploring, and more on training. You also don’t have to worry about other animals on the scene, as you would at a park or local walking track.
Again, when you have the collar on and are ready to begin, bend down and offer a treat to get your puppy to come to you. After successfully doing this a few times, start to walk a little with the puppy on the leash. If your puppy follows you, praise him and give him a treat. In the event he does not follow, which often is the case the first time around, start all over again. Once he starts to follow you without resistance, try walking a little bit further each time. Your puppy will soon learn to be lead, without him even noticing he is doing something he may not want to do.
Continue working with your puppy often, as any training should be ongoing. The more training and practice your puppy gets, the more accustomed to the leash he will become.
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