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Showing posts with label veterinary medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veterinary medicine. Show all posts
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.
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
Know These 3 Things While Training Your Puppy
Puppies just don’t understand, as children don’t until we teach them. How many times have we heard,
"My dog just won't listen to me", or "He just won't behave!". Most of us agree that when it comes to
children, certain things are universal and undisputed. Well, here are three things that a lot of people just
do not think of when it comes to raising their dogs.
1. English 101
In the beginning, they study us to learn our body language and our facial expressions. Until we teach them the “our” language, it's all they have. If we say, "Wanna go out?" on Monday, "Have to go potty?" on Wednesday, and, "Gotta pee?" on Friday, it is most likely because you have picked up the leash and moved toward the door with a happy face that the puppy understands. If you want to speed up his training, teach her YOUR language. Use one command for EACH behavior and stay with it. Tell all in your family to use the same words and commands, and your puppy will amaze you at how much faster she learns.
2. Your puppy is growing faster than you think.
A young puppy grows fast, so the more food and water she needs to fuel her growing body and metabolism, the more potty breaks she will need. If there is an accident in the house, do not punish her. It is YOUR fault. Depending on how old, what breed, and how big your puppy is will determine how often she will need to go out. A few key times are right after a nap, after she eats, and after grooming.
There are signs, when you see them move quickly! Always give praise for going potty outside.
Remember to try and use your single command word in your praise. “Good potty, good girl!”
3. They can see it in your face.
A puppy or a full grown dog, all it takes is a scowl from you and the ears go down, the eyes get sad. They know and the lesson will be learned, but their attention span is only 3-5 minutes, any longer is unnecessary. Follow it up with some love and a happy face.
Physical punishment is never necessary. Constant commands and adoring praise and she will know what you want of her before you. She will become a master of your body language and facial expressions in no time at all.
Of course there are many phases of training your puppy. If your goal is a happy, well-adjusted, loving, obedient dog for life then be consistent, confident, and most of all loving.
1. English 101
In the beginning, they study us to learn our body language and our facial expressions. Until we teach them the “our” language, it's all they have. If we say, "Wanna go out?" on Monday, "Have to go potty?" on Wednesday, and, "Gotta pee?" on Friday, it is most likely because you have picked up the leash and moved toward the door with a happy face that the puppy understands. If you want to speed up his training, teach her YOUR language. Use one command for EACH behavior and stay with it. Tell all in your family to use the same words and commands, and your puppy will amaze you at how much faster she learns.
2. Your puppy is growing faster than you think.
A young puppy grows fast, so the more food and water she needs to fuel her growing body and metabolism, the more potty breaks she will need. If there is an accident in the house, do not punish her. It is YOUR fault. Depending on how old, what breed, and how big your puppy is will determine how often she will need to go out. A few key times are right after a nap, after she eats, and after grooming.
There are signs, when you see them move quickly! Always give praise for going potty outside.
Remember to try and use your single command word in your praise. “Good potty, good girl!”
3. They can see it in your face.
A puppy or a full grown dog, all it takes is a scowl from you and the ears go down, the eyes get sad. They know and the lesson will be learned, but their attention span is only 3-5 minutes, any longer is unnecessary. Follow it up with some love and a happy face.
Physical punishment is never necessary. Constant commands and adoring praise and she will know what you want of her before you. She will become a master of your body language and facial expressions in no time at all.
Of course there are many phases of training your puppy. If your goal is a happy, well-adjusted, loving, obedient dog for life then be consistent, confident, and most of all loving.
Silly McKitty
Silly McKitty a video 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.
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