Archives for: November 2016

Our new favorite bath product: Scrubby Pet Bath Mitten

Posted on 30 November, 2016 in Learn, Live, Uncategorized

Bathing dogs is a pain in the booty, and taking them to the groomers can be costly and time consuming. We recently found the coolest alternative to the traditional bath, which our team of veterinarians has started using- the Scrubby Pet bath mitten. It’s ideal for quick doggy clean up after simple procedures and anal gland expression. It’s perfect for our clinics because it requires minimal water, and doesn’t require rinsing. Our vets can just towel dry pets when they’re done washing them and send them on their way home.

We wanted to share this with you because we think this product is super pawesome. It can be used to clean up any pet mess, really. For those of you whose dogs manage to get themselves dirty all the time, or those of you who like to camp and do things outdoors with your pets, you should totally try this. It can also be used on cats, which is awesome since cats hate the water, and this doesn’t require much water at all. Check out their video and give it a shot. If you’d like to order some, you can do so on their website www.scrubbystore.com.

Thanksgiving foods to keep away from your pets

Posted on 23 November, 2016 in Learn, Uncategorized

 

A cute dog begging for the Holiday Feast.

Thanksgiving is such a special holiday. Family comes into town, we cook, we laugh, we eat, we drink and then we slug around and complain about everything we’ve consumed. It’s a day to be thankful, for sure, for all the wonderful things life brings us, like our furry companions. It’s so nice to have them around to celebrate with us, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that we should be careful about sharing this holiday with our pets- especially everyone’s favorite part, the food. We’ve come up with a quick list of 5 Thanksgiving foods you should keep away from your pets to keep them safe this year:

  1. Stuffing
    Although stuffing itself is not necessarily toxic to pets, a lot of its ingredients are. Common ingredients like onions and garlic can cause anemia in pets and be extremely health- threatening.
  2. Turkey Bones
    Cooked bones can be very dangerous for pets to consume. Not only can they splinter and cause severe internal damage to your pet’s digestive system, but they can also cause an obstruction or even puncture your pet’s stomach. Please keep these away from your pets.
  3. Ham
    If you didn’t know this, a lot of pork products can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea for your pets. Additionally, ham is very caloric, so if you’re struggling to keep your pet’s weight at bay, ham should be an automatic no go.
  4. Nuts
    Please keep all nuts away from your pets. They’re commonly added to many Thanksgiving dishes and can very easily end up consumed by your dog. We recommend you try and avoid this at all costs. Macadamia nuts, specifically, are the most dangerous, causing potential vomiting, seizures and neurological problems. Nuts generally have a high fat content and can cause pancreatic issues, so we strongly recommend you keep your pets away from them if you can help it.
  5. Desserts- especially chocolate ones
    We all know that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Unfortunately, dogs love the smell of chocolate. With the common dessert spread on Thanksgiving, your dog may be tempted to steal some. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog if there is chocolate around.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your pets!

Pet Cancer Awareness

Posted on 16 November, 2016 in Learn

Signs your pet might be at risk of cancer and how to help them.Cuddling pet

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of all pets that have suffered or are suffering from cancer, we wanted to share some precautionary information with you- signs that your pet might be at risk. Here are a few to look out for:

  1. Swollen Lymph Nodes: Just like humans, our pets can get swollen glands. Glands on our pet can be found behind their jaw and knees. If you notice any swelling of their glands, a visit to the vet is suggested. Swollen glands are often a sign of lymphoma- cancer of the lymph nodes.
  2. Weight Loss: It’s normal for pets to lose weight when they’re on a diet or exercising. But, unexplained weight loss can be a sign of something more concerning. Unexplained, rapid weight loss can be a sign of cancer as well as other serious conditions. We recommend a prompt visit to the vet if you notice this in your pet.
  3. Growing Lump: The most common signs of cancer that people look for in themselves and in their pets are lumps. The key, though, is to watch the lump over time and see if it changes or grows. If you notice any changes in your pet’s lump, have it assessed by a vet. They may recommend a biopsy.

Ask your vet about any additional signs of pet cancer you should be looking out for, and always keep an eye on your pet. It’s always smart to address any health behavior that’s atypical of your pet with a veterinarian. It’s a sad reality that 1 in 4 pets will pass away from cancer. Fortunately, there are organizations like the Animal Cancer Foundation dedicated to finding cures for our pets. This month only, the Animal Cancer Foundation has teamed up with Nationwide to help raise money for the cause. For every post on social media dedicated to pet cancer with the hashtag #CurePetCancer, Nationwide will donate $5 to the foundation. Keep your pets safe and let’s help fight pet cancer together!

Why you should adopt a senior pet

Posted on 9 November, 2016 in Learn

November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month.” This is an important month for shelters and rescues who struggle in getting senior pets adopted. Unfortunately, senior pets are too often overlooked by adopters, and spend their golden years longing for that special someone to take them home. Sadly, many of these cute little guys end up never seeing a home again or being “put to sleep.” But this month is dedicated to getting these special pets out of the shelters for good.  If you are considering adopting, here are a few reasons why adopting a senior pet might be for you:

  1. They like to chill

Let’s be real, puppies are adorable and all, but they can be a lot of work. They require so much attention, training, and exercise. We all know that if you neglect to give your hyper puppy the proper exercise in their early stages, you may very well come home to a destroyed house. The good news is, senior pets like to chill out. For the most part, they are happy with one good long walk a day, and will spend the rest of their day just hanging out. They’re happy to be your company, but don’t need to be watched 24/7.

  1. They are easily trainable

What a lot of people don’t realize about senior pets is that they most likely have lived in a home before. Many senior pets end up in shelters because their owners passed away, or had to surrender them due to life changing circumstances. So many senior pets already know basic commands, can adjust quickly to a home setting, and many of them are potty trained. Potty training is a pain in the booty. I definitely don’t miss the days where I had to wake up twice a night to take my puppy out to pee. The great thing about seniors is even if they haven’t been potty trained, they pick up on it very quickly and can usually hold their pee for much longer than a puppy (unless they have a medical issue that is).

  1. They will bond with you

I have heard people concerned about adopting a senior pet because they feel like they won’t bond with them the way a puppy will. They like the idea of raising a dog from its puppy stages, so they can have a stronger relationship. From experience, I can tell you that senior dogs bond just like any other dog would. Dogs and cats are social beings; they yearn for that attachment and bonding at all ages. It can be so rewarding when you finally bond with a senior pet and know they trust you and care for you.

  1. They will be forever grateful

The most wonderful thing about adopting a senior pet is that it can be so gratifying. Adopting a senior pet means saving their life, it means they don’t have to spend the rest of their life staring at the kennel wall, it means they get to spend their later years living comfortably and it means they get to feel loved again.

  1. They will teach you things

You can learn so many lessons from senior pets. I know I have. Pets live in the moment, they don’t stress about things that are going to happen, that might happen, or that happened two years ago. They focus on the present and the people around them. Adopting a senior pet has taught me to savor every moment and to not stress about the past and future. These adoptable senior pets have unique stories, some of them very sad. But once they get their second chance, that’s all they care about. They just want to make every day their best day.

Give a senior pet a chance. They will be so grateful. Forever grateful.

Adopt a senior pet today!

Tags: , , , , ,