Warm days & cool nights announce fall is here and winter’s chill is just around the corner.  Pet owners may not be aware of seasonal fall threats for their beloved furry family members. Here’s some fall  & winter pet care tips for you to have a great holiday season.

Did you know that walking in the woods with your dog to admire fall leaves has lurking toxins?  Yes, those wild mushrooms are not to be eaten. Seasonal feeding frenzies of ticks can make your dog a walking buffet meal as well.  Outdoor allergies may bother both you & your pet.  More time indoors with the dry heat in the house can also exacerbate indoor allergy problems just like us.  Colder weather can also make arthritis start flaring up in your mature or senior pet.  If you are moving plants inside for winter, make sure your pet doesn’t have access to any potentially poisonous plant nibbling.  Other poisons are also available in cooler weather.  Are you checking your car’s antifreeze?  It is highly toxic to pets but very sweet & tempting.  Be sure no antifreeze has leaked out to sicken any animals.  Rodents are also on the move to warmer quarters so be aware that most rodenticides are deadly to your pets as well.  Fall is a beautiful time of year.  Enjoy and as always, be aware for the sake of your favorite furry friends.  If you have questions, EZ Vet is always happy to answer any questions you may have.  We want to team with you to keep your pets part of your family for many, many years.

Canine and feline obesity, just like in humans, increases the risk for serious diseases leading to a shorter life. Unlike humans, most animals eat all the food that is given to them and don’t know when to stop, which is why it’s very important for the owners to be aware of the possible complications of obesity.  Pudgy pets are cute to look at and cuddly but, it might be detrimental to your pets.  Feeding your pets human food can also lead to obesity as  your pet’s nutritional needs are different from you. Pets who eat treats  with high level of carbs and sugar have a serious risk of gaining weight and  diabetes.

One of the most common diseases seen with obesity in pets is diabetes mellitus. This occurs because the body is requiring more insulin than it can make. The cells in the pancreas that make insulin can actually “wear out” if the body is having to produce a lot of insulin over a long period of time. Obese animals have an excess of tissue that the blood needs to supply, causing high blood pressure and the heart to work overtime which can lead to congestive heart failure. Obesity also causes damage to joints, leading to arthritis and can make hip dysplasia worse.

Just like in humans, dogs can tear the “ACL” (ligament) in the knee, which requires surgery to repair, otherwise the dog won’t be able to use the leg. It also can cause back problems, seen most often in dachshunds where they get a “slipped disc” which is very painful and can cause the back end to become paralyzed.

These are just a few consequences of obesity, there are many many more reasons why dogs and cats should be at a healthy weight. Come see us at EZ Vet Veterinary Clinic to discuss further, and design a weight loss plan for your dog or cat today!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, its time for reflection, expressing gratitude and gatherings of friends and family and of course food.  The temptation for sharing  your holiday food is hard to resist, as most of us  relate  sharing food with expressing love . As a result, thanksgiving is also a time for visiting the veterinarian  or emergency , where dogs end up when they over indulged.  We have prepared  a list of Thanksgiving meal do’s and don’ts for pets to  help your keep your pets healthy this holiday season and  prevent unexpected holiday emergency and diversion.

Don’t offer any high fat treats such as turkey skin, gravy, ham, etc and do not allow your dog to eat any poultry bones which can splinter inside your pet causing emergency visits to the vet.

Do offer cooked turkey breast or raw unseasoned vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, or rice.

Don’t offer any dishes seasoned with onions, garlic, mushrooms, leeks, shallots, grapes, raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon, or sage which can cause gastrointestinal upset, anemia, or worse.

Don’t offer any raw meat or uncooked batter with raw eggs due to the Salmonella risk.

Do offer lots of exercise and fresh air to help calm your dog stressed by the visiting relatives (as well as decrease your stress too perhaps!).

Don’t offer your pet any food with walnuts or macadamia nuts which are potentially toxic.

Do include your pet at the meal with a high quality pet treat instead of sharing your dessert.

Don’t allow your pet to help themselves to any alcoholic beverages or sweet treats containing xylitol.

Do share the joy of giving by donating to your local animal shelter or rescue group.  They need your support year round.

EZ Vet gives thanks to all of our clients, patients, and everyone else who has supported us this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Its the holiday season and many of us go home to spend time with family. Unfortunately sometimes, we have to leave our pets behind. Some pets get separation anxiety when they are apart from their owners. Some symptoms of separation anxiety includes excessive salivation, barking, whining, destroying items in the home, scratching at walls, doors and floors, and attempting to escape from the crate, or room. You pet may also demonstrate excessive clinginess or hyperactivity  when you are about to leave. They might also start over-grooming , over eat or under eat.

Start a program for desensitization or “flooding.” Flooding for separation anxiety would involved setting aside several hours on a weekend during which you enter and leave the home so often that you essentially wear the dog out. Leave home every few minutes, on a varying schedule, for a minute or two at a time then come back.  Be sure not to return while your dog is barking or howling, or else you will be rewarding her for that behavior.  If it’s impossible to walk out the door without your dog barking, you might have a friend remain in the home while you go in and out.  Desensitization for a dog with separation anxiety involves giving him/her your customary cues that you’re leaving – such as picking up your car keys, purse, or brief case, opening the coat closet, putting on your “work shoes/clothes” and so on – without actually leaving.

Other strategies that might help is  not to make a big production by hugging and cooing over  your pet before leaving. you can also walk or jog your dog an hour or so before you leave  and give them 20 minutes to calm down before you leave. you can also try leaving through a back  or side door. departures needs to be quiet and quick. Ask your veterinarian if  their symptoms persist.

When you are faced suddenly with a sick pet, your first thought is getting them to the vet. But with restricted hours and limited facilities, it can be difficult to find pet urgent care when you need it. The push for urgent care for pets is growing stronger by the day for numerous reasons. Pets are most often seen as a part of the family, so you want what is best for them! Here are three ways it can help you and your pets.

Early Detection
Spaying alone helps in preventing uterine infections and breast cancer, which can be fatal in 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. By going to the vet regularly, any health risks can be determined early on. Whether this helps your pet or not, you will be able to be aware of the issue and cherish the days with your pet if nothing else. Most often though, early detection can prevent further issues for your pet.

Better Overall Health
Though 66% of survey respondents say their pet is their best friend, 18.7% of dog owners say they did not take their dog for their annual checkup. Without those checkups, you are unable to check on your pet’s overall health. Good pet care means taking your pet in for at least their annual checkup, if nothing else! Skipping it could mean missing out on something important that you need to know.

Longer Life
Everyone wants a little bit more time with their favorite pet once they’ve passed away. By keeping up on their health and care, you can lengthen their life. It is completely up to you, as it is your responsibility to obtain care for them. By doing this, you can spend more time with your pet, and they get to enjoy your presence longer as well.

Do you agree that urgent care for pets needs to be more available for owners? How much do you think it would help?

How does leptospirosis spread

Many clients will ask if their pet really needs the “Lepto” vaccine as part of their core vaccination series. It really depends on your pet’s lifestyle but clients should be aware that this is a deadly disease that can affect both dogs and humans. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease found throughout the United States but it is more prevalent in regions with high annual rainfall and warm climates. Pets may show very non-specific symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, changes in urination frequency amongst many other symptoms and can develop liver or kidney failure.

According to Carsten Bandt, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, assistant professor of Emergency and Critical care medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine “Since 2013 in Florida, we have seen a 10-fold increase in leptospirosis cases.” Pets that are outside, even in urban areas, are at risk for contracting the disease. A pet can contract it from drinking from a puddle on a sidewalk, wet grass, parks, or a pond where wildlife would urinate.

And it comes from mammalian urine so it does not have to be true wildlife to contaminate the water, it can be your regular everyday backyard visitors. Many people do not consider Leptospirosis as part of the core vaccination series but it should be considered carefully as it is deadly to pets and their owners. Lepto vaccines for dogs  offer about 6 to 8 months of protection. many veterinarian will recommend vaccinating  puppies at age 12 to 16 weeks . boosters are required.Ask your Veterinarian if your pet is at risk and should be vaccinated against this disease.

Information quoted from Veterinary Practice News August 2015 issue.

Article by Caterine Wendt, DVM

When you have made the decision to adopt a pet, you take on the responsibility of a life. It is up to you to ensure that your pet stays happy and healthy. With 47% of American households owning a dog and 37% owning a cat, pet care is a popular topic that more people need to be knowledgeable on. About 66% of pet owners say their pet is their best friend so it is essential to keep them happy and to get them any urgent pet care they may need. Read on for our three tips to help out your pets!

Regular Checkups
Vets recommend at least one checkup per year for any adult dogs between the ages of seven and 10. But this is a good rule of thumb for any pet. This ensures early detection of any issues, and will allow you to hear recommendations for your pet from an expert.

Recommendations
Vet services serve a purpose, and that is to serve your pet’s best interest. So if a vet recommends something, whether it is a shot or a procedure, they are keeping what is best for the animal in mind. Heeding those recommendations will prevent the need for urgent pet care for more serious and fatal issues later on in your pet’s life.

Exercise and Diet
Exercise and diet are essential for cats and dogs, just like they are for humans. Taking your dog for a walk, playing with your cat, and feeding them good, healthy food is necessary. Just like you need to exercise and stay away from consistently eating fast food, your pets need the same.

Will you be following any of this advice? What do you prioritize for your pet’s happiness and health? We would love to hear your stories!

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an estimated 70 to 80 million dogs and 74 to 96 million cats are owned. These pets are loved and cared for, and are seen as part of the family. However, there are millions of pets that are homeless or in shelter, and can’t get the care and attention they need. One of the major contributors of the influx of homeless pet is a pet owner’s neglect to spay or neuter their pet. Here is some more information about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet, and the best time to bring them to an animal hospital for the procedure.

Why Spay and Neuter?
Besides the uncontrolled population of homeless pets, there are a variety of different preventative care reasons you should get your pet fixed. Neutering your male dog or cat can prevent testicular cancer if done before six months of age. Spaying a female pet can prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. This makes fixing your pet just as important as veterinarian tests and vaccinations. Spaying and neutering will have no effect on your pet’s personality, and they typically become better behaved after the procedure.

When to Spay and Neuter?
The best time to spay or neuter your pet depends on a variety of different factors. This includes the pet’s age, breed, and physical condition. Many pet owners think they should wait until their pet has gone through their first cycle of heat, but this is not true. In fact, many pets need to get neutered early in life in order to get the health benefits that fixing can give. If you plan to spay or neuter your pet, consult a veterinarian about the procedure and your pet’s individual case.

We all love our furry companions, but for many owners it can be difficult to find the time to give their dogs the kind of attention and care they need to stay happy and healthy pets. The average lifespan of a dog varies from 8 to 16 years, depending on breed, size, genetics, and proper pet care. However, a pet that doesn’t get the right amount of exercise has the real threat of obesity, which can severely reduce a dog’s lifespan.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, dog obesity is one of the most common ailments; 35 million of the 77.5 million dogs in the U.S. are considered overweight. Of those that are overweight, 6.7 million are considered clinically obese. Obesity in a dog can lead to a variety of other issues, such as increased infections or other medical problems. If your dog is overweight, here’s what you can do to help them stay healthy.

Increase their Walks
The best way to get your dog to lose some of their excess weight is to slowly increase the intensity and length of daily walks. Typically, a casual daily walk isn’t enough to give a dog any aerobic activity. Owners with obese dogs should aim for 30 minute walks each day, with a brisk pace. Not only will this give your dog more exercise, but it can help you as well. A study of over 2,000 adults showed that dog owners who walk their dogs are much less likely to be obese than those owners who let someone else walk their dog.

Change their Diet
An overweight dog is more than likely eating the wrong kind of food. In order to give the proper overweight pet care, an owner must be willing to work with their dog to find the diet that is right for them. The greatest way to help your dog cut down on unnecessarily calories is to start measuring their food. The amount of food your dog should eat is determined by their weight, age, and nutritional value of their food. There are many dog food calculators that can help determine exactly how much food they’ll need.

Give them Supplements
Just as humans benefit from supplements, dogs can also take supplements to help them keep their health. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements and fish oils can help prevent certain diseases, and will help ease painful joints, which may make it difficult for your dog to participate in daily walks. If you are unsure about the kind of supplements your dog will benefit from, ask a veterinarian for suggestions for the best pet care supplements.