Independence Day can trigger many pet care problems including heat stroke, anxious, lost, sick, or injured pets.

Here are some tips to get you and your pet through the long weekend.

Loud noises startle and distress pets.  Scared pets have been known to jump out of apartment windows, leap over or dig under fences.  They may also bolt out an open door and become lost and never found.

What does an anxious pet look like?  Signs of anxiety can include pacing, trembling, panting, drooling, attention seeking (vocalizing, pawing, nuzzling, and climbing on people), hiding - looking for a place to hide, and bolting.

• Line up some chemical calm.  Call us in advance to get a medication to keep them calm.  While you are at it, get the location and phone number of the nearest emergency clinic.  Remember to give the medications as recommended -- they usually work best before the fireworks begin
• Set up a safe room.  It's not a bad idea to secure them in a quiet room, or a crate if they're used to one.  Use the radio or television as a distraction from the noise outside.
• Keep your pets secure.  Frightened dogs have been know to go through barriers that would normally hold them.  And cats may be targets of cruel pranksters.
• Prepare for the worst.   Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with ID tags.
• Know what to do if you lose your pet.  Start looking as soon as you discover your pet is missing.  Cover your neighborhood with fliers and check with veterinarians, emergency clinics and shelters.
• Heat may be a problem when people take their dogs along to outdoor events.  Don't let having a good time distract you from keeping an eye on your dog.  Be sure they're getting lots of water.  And of course, your dog should never be left in a car, even with the windows cracked, on any warm day -- even a few minutes could be deadly.
• Panting and glassy eyes may be signs of an overheated dog.  Apply as much cool -- not ice cold -- water as you can to your dog's body, and get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.  Heat stress is not something that can wait.  it is a life - threatening emergency.  Older or obese dogs, or short-nosed such as pugs or boxers, are at the greatest risk, as are those with darker coats.

Remember if you are holding a party, try to limit your pets intake of people food.  Or better yet stay away from it altogether.  Hamburgers, steak, and hot dogs may cause your pet to have vomiting or diarrhea.  Grapes and raisins can be life threatening.  Sugar free products containing Xylitol can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels in dogs.  Onions and garlic may cause blood disorders.  Macadamia nuts may be harmful as well.

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.

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.

Remember sit, stay, and down are the building blocks for a well-trained dog!

Endless Pool

Endless Pool, a photo by Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center on Flickr.

Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center is one of the animal hospitals that offers an Endless Pool for aquatic therapy and animal rehabilitation on site. Our pool is fully secured and closely monitored for the safety of all animals that board with us.

Welcome To Our Blog

Welcome to our new Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center blog, through this forum we'll share stories about our veterinary practice, pet care, news and updates. You'll get to know our team dedicated doctors and staff, new advances and learn more about our patients.

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