1            Too much love                                                                  

Pets need boundaries and rules, spoiling your pet actually makes it harder for the animal, because they make mistakes that they are punished for. They need clear rules and boundaries just like children. This will decrease bad habits. Make your rules and boundaries clear from the very beginning.

         2            Too much punishment

Most new pet parents observe the mistakes rather than the good behavior. Punishing results in tension, so reward good behaviors. Ex; urinating in the house often results in the owners yelling at the dog, what the problem is usually a lack of supervision from the owners. Focus on the positive.

         3            Not having your pet spayed or neutered

Pet overpopulation is a crisis. Spayed or neutered decreases aggression and risk for disease. It is a healthy choice to spay or neuter.

         4            Supervision 

Always supervise your pet with children. Teach your children how to play nicely with the dog, be aware of and teach them signs of when the pet has had enough play time. Pets get tired too, especially puppies and the senior pets.

         5            They are not human

 They are animals and you want them to be a part of the family, remember they are animals. They don’t think like humans, they are instinctive and don’t do things on purpose. Keep this in mind the next time you see them doing something wrong.

         6            Buying your pet spontaneously

Mismatch of the right pet for you and your family is heartbreaking, time consuming and frustrating. Avoid it by educating yourself on the breeds you may want. Talk to those who own one and learn about the cost and care.. Particular breeds of dogs come with particular problems most likely to crop up.

         7            Inconsistency

 Bad behavior results from inconsistent rules and boundaries. There allowed on the bed or not, they are allowed on the couch but not the bed….  In the dogs mind saying ‘which is it, I’m confused, so I’ll do what I want. “They don’t understand the difference between the couch and the bed.  Make a family meeting on the rules of the pet and make sure everyone agrees. Feeding time and exercise should also be consistent.

         8            Too many treats

Too many and it loses its reward system. Don’t always give a treat for good behavior, this keeps them hoping and eventually he will perform without the treat.

         9            Not socializing

Not socializing can develop fears and aggressive behavior .The first 3-12 weeks for dogs is critical socialization period. 2-8 wks for cats

      10            Skimping on the exercise

Barking, jumping and hostile behavior is a part of the pets’ energy. Unleash it. Walk at least 2ce a day for 30’ each. Dogs need more exercise than people.

Comments (0)     

1. Deathly sweet tooth - Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate is very toxic and dangerous for dogs and cats. It can cause vomiting, restlessness,heart disturbances, and even death. Make sure all family members understand the dangers of sharing their candy with their pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxice call the Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. 
2. Pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively non toxic; however they can produce stomach problems.
3. Ensure that all lit pumpkins and candles are out of reach for pets. Kittens are curious as well as puppies; cats can jump and watch out for those big dog tails.  If you are unsure about the safety of your pet on Halloween, best to confine them in a separate room with food and water. No Fires!
4. When opening the door for trick - or - treaters make sure your dog or cat doesn't dart out. 
5. If this is your pets first Halloween, be mindful of the extra activity and too many strangers. It can be scary and stressful for pets. I recommend for the newbie pets to break them in a little at a time. Bring them out to greet some trick - or - treaters occasionally, hold them and speak with a gentle fun tone, but no screeching.
6. Don't leave pets outside on Halloween. Many animals disappear as pranksters and those with darker intentions tease, abduct, torture, or even kill pets. Black cats are frequent targets of cruel activities on Halloween.  Please keep them in during the week of Halloween. Many animal shelters will not allow black cat adoptions during the week of Halloween.
7. Please do not force your pet to wear a costume. Some pets truly are Hams and others are not.  Only if they love it -  then do it up! Some costumes also contain material that may cause an allergic reaction. Try on the costume the night before and observe for any abnormal behavior. If your pet doesn't prefer a costume, try a festive bandana.
8. If your pet wants to be a part of the action, make sure the costume does not constrict any movement, the ability to see, hearing,  and the ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume for dangling objects that can get caught and injure your pet or small objects that can be chewed off and choked on.
9. Please! Make sure your pet has an ID or is micro chipped. This will improve your chances of getting your pet if they get lost.
10. Advise your children to throw away candy wrappers in a place where the pet can't get.  Candy wrappers can get stuck in your pets' digestive tract and make them seriously ill or cause death. Make or buy a special treat for pet for Halloween to involve your children and not leave your pet out.

Comments (0)     

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2011/08/09/salmonella-concerns-prompt-pet-treat-recall.aspx?cm_mmc=4957178

Comments (0)     

Know what your feeding your pet? What you think is good for them , may not be so.The first thing to do is read the label , just as you do for yourself when your at the grocery store. Learning about the ingredients in your pets food is a main key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet and could save you money and extra visits to the Veterinarian.

How to read a label

The first ingredient listed by weight is the most important because there is more of this ingredient than any other listed. For Example;

• If the first ingredient is deboned chicken then great. If the first ingredient is ground yellow corn then not too great! Gound yellow corn has very little nutritional value and has been linked to allergies in dogs.
• The top 10 ingredients usually comprises 80% or more of the dry pet foods entire formula.
• Some cat and dog food brands define thier ingredients in several different ways, so the ones of lower quality appear at the bottom of the list. Fro example , a product could list chicken , ground corn, corn gluten, ground wheat and corn bran. So, if you were to group all the corn ingredients into one , it might outweigh the amount of chicken and should actually be listed first.
• Always look for preservatives and food coloring when analyzing the ingredients.

So, what should be the proper ingredients for your pet.

First , always ask your Veterinarian if your pet should be on anykind of special diet and particular foods.

Overall;

Real meat is good. Chicken , fish or lamb are highly digestable proteins essential for repair, growth, reproduction, energy and maintenance. 

Whole grains such as brown rice , barley and oats are a healthy fiber supplying your complex carbohydrates for energy.

Veggies and fruits are natural vitamins, minerals and fibers that provide anti oxidants and enzymes to promote health and wellness.

Red flags on the list of ingredients.

"By meal"

Artificial anything and chemical preservatives.

Some allergies in dogs have been linked to wheat, soy and corn.

Please , take the time out  the next time you're shopping for food for your pet. Read the labels , it could make a big difference in your pets overall health and well being.

Comments (0)     

After all, they are a part of the family and many families take thier pets with them on vacation. If your thinking of doing that this year, here are some helpful tips to prepare your pet and get the most out of the time you will be spending together.

• Check with your veterinarian to ensure your dog is healthy enough for travel.
• Take your pet on short car rides prior to the long one. Gradually increase the time your pet spends in the car.
• Feed your dog lightly the day of travel, about 1/3 of the normal amount.
• Remember to take some water for your dog to drink.
• Remember to take your leash, however remove it when your dog gets in the car or in the crate.
• Check with hotels, campgrounds and airlines in regards to dog restrictions.
• Pack a bag for your dog, just as you do for yourself. Pack a copy of your dog's  health record, a recent photo and rabies vaccination information
• Tag your dogs collar with a phone number at least.
• Never sedate your dog during travel unless your veterinarian recommends it.

Have a great trip!   

Comments (2)     

The U.S Food and Drug Administration is warning veterinarians that what they think is phenobarbital on their shelves might actually be mislabeled hydrocodone bitartrate or acetaminophen.

According to the alert , the CVM has received three reports of serious adverse events concerning dogs given Qualitest Pharmaceuticals phenobarbital tablets.

Please see full article by VIN News Service 

http://news.vin.com/VINNEWS.aspx?articleId=17922 

Comments (0)     

One of the difficulties of giving medicine to your cat or dog is the positioning and keeping them still and quiet enough to successfully administer the medications or subcutaneous fluids. Most medications for cats require them to be a  level that is conducive to proper needle placement and so most will use the kitchen counter or a table. The level is perfect but the pet will have a tendency to slip and slide and it can be cumbersome and awkward and dangerous.

Try this:

Place a rubber mat (bathtub mat) under your pet while giving the medication, this will help stabalize and stop the slipping and sliding.

Comments (0)     

Surely, cabin fever affects our dogs just as much as it does us. The frustration of being cooped up and exercise deprivation can cause destructiveness and hyperactivity.

Here are a few tips on getting exercise indoors for your dog;

• Treausre hunt - Hide some treats throughout the house and let the dog find them.
• Stair climbing -  If you have a dog that likes to play fetch, throw some toys or treats up and down the steps and let the dog fetch.
• Hide and seek - Play with your dog as if you were playing with a childhood friend.
• Stuffed toys - Be creative, stuff a treat into a plastic milk container and let the dog play for hours trying to retrieve it. Place some treats in a old towel, tie off the ends and let your dog tear it to shreds !

Use your imagination and have fun.

Comments (0)     

Hats off to all our Vet Techs who have great dedication to trudge through the bitter cold. Some drive who present with their own challenges of traffic and parking while others use mass transit who deal with waiting for buses and trains and walking to visit these pets so they are spared going out themselves while still recieving care.  

Our Creed 

Our Vet Techs who everday go about our lives with compassion, integrity and dedication. And neither snow, rain, heat , or gloom of night will keep us from accomplishing our appointed visits to provide personal hands on pet health services at your door.

Comments (0)     

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/when-hormone-creams-expose-others-to-risks/

When Hormone Creams Expose Others to Risks

Veterinarians around the country are reporting a strange phenomenon: spayed dogs and cats, even some puppies and kittens, are suddenly becoming hormonal.

In female pets, the symptoms resemble heat: swollen genitals, bloody discharge and behavioral problems. Male animals are showing up with swollen breast tissue and hair loss. Standard treatments and even repeated operations have had no effect.

Now vets have identified the culprit. The pets were all owned by women who used hormone creams on their hands, arms and legs to counter symptoms of menopause. Animals who licked or cuddled their owners, or rubbed up against their legs, were being inadvertently exposed to doses of hormone drugs.

These anecdotal reports, about 20 of which were first collected by the Veterinary Information Network, a news service for veterinarians, suggest that many women are not taking proper precautions when using topical hormone products — putting not only pets but also family members at risk for hormone exposure.

“The dogs are licking and rubbing the treated area and absorbing the drug, which is putting them back into heat,” said Dr. Terry Clekis, a veterinarian in Bradenton, Fla. Dr. Clekis has seen about five cases of pet exposure to menopause creams, including a dog that appeared to go into heat about six months after being spayed.

Dr. Clekis feared he had left remnants of ovarian tissue behind after the spaying. So he repeated it, but found nothing. It was his wife, chatting with the pet owner, who discovered she was using a hormone cream. Once the owner took precautions against exposing her pet, the symptoms disappeared.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in the summer after eight children exposed to the estrogen spray Evamist showed signs of premature puberty like nipple swelling and enlarged breasts. The agency also received two reports of dogs exposed to Evamist, and last year it issued another warning after eight children were exposed to topical testosterone.

Use of topical estrogen, in the form of creams, sprays and gels, has surged since a major government study linked oral menopause drugs with a higher risk of heart attacks and cancer.

Last year, doctors wrote 440,000 prescriptions for brand-name topical estrogen products alone, nearly triple the 2006 figure, according to IMS Health, a drug information service. And those numbers do not capture the estimated one million women using compounded hormone creams, which are custom-mixed by pharmacists and have been widely promoted as an alternative to commercial menopause drugs — even though the F.D.A. has said these so-called bio-identical hormones are no safer than hormones from drug companies. (The compounds’ popularity surged after the former sitcom star Suzanne Somers wrote two books claiming they delivered many health benefits.)

Dr. Cynthia A. Stuenkel, an endocrinologist at the University of California, San Diego, and a former president of the North American Menopause Society, said the society was surveying its members to collect case reports of inadvertent hormone exposure to pets or children. The problem, she added, is that the doctors who prescribe the drugs typically treat older women, but the doctors who see the problems are pediatricians and veterinarians.

"We need to connect the dots between these groups so pediatricians and vets think of it early before subjecting these children and animals to extensive testing," she said. But some vets say women aren't forthcoming about the use of hormone drugs because it simply doesn't occur to them that it might be related to a pet's problem.

Dr. Walter R. Threlfall, a veterinarian who specializes in reproductive health, had a case involving a small lap dog that was experiencing a regular bloody discharge. During three different visits he asked the owner if the dog could have been exposed to an estrogen product, and she answered no each time before finally acknowledging she had been using an estrogen cream on her arm.

"The dog licks it off every night," she told Dr. Threlfall, who said in an interview, "She spent lots of money on that dog, and I could have solved it the first time by telling her to get the dog off the estrogen cream."

Dr. Richard Fried, owner of the Lincoln Square Veterinary Hospital in Manhattan, said he recently saw two cats that seemed to go back into heat after spaying by a different vet. Tests in one cat showed high blood levels of estrogen, but before he could spay it again, the cats' breeder suggested that the culprit might be the owner's hormone treatment.

"We are always warning pet owners to be careful about their medications," Dr. Fried said. "But this is a much more insidious kind of problem that most people don't think about."

Dr. Stuenkel says women should be counseled about safe use of the drugs.

After using a topical hormone cream, they should thoroughly wash their hands before handling food, children or pets. Products should dry completely before the user comes into contact with people or animals, and women may want to consider changing the area where they apply the cream or covering it with long sleeves or slacks.

"We've learned a lot from these puppy stories," Dr. Stuenkel said. "People are letting dogs lick their hands after using the cream of holding them when the crean is fresh on them. We need to teach women to be sensible about how they use these procucts."

Comments (0)