Polar Vortex Temperatures:

We have had a lot of people concerned about this cold weather and their four legged friends. Sometimes we forget that our pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as we are. We are recommending that all outdoor animals be brought inside or given appropriate heated shelter during these extreme temperatures.  

Some animals can remain outside safely longer in the winter than others. In some cases, it's just common sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better in cold weather than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds. Cats and small dogs that have to wade shoulder-deep in the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals. Your pet's health will also affect how long she can stay out. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet's ability to regulate her own body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health shouldn't be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time. Very young and very old animals are vulnerable to the cold as well. Regardless of their health, though, no pets should stay outside for unlimited amounts of time in freezing cold weather. 

Also remember that if you park outside cats will curl up against almost anything to stay warm--including car engines. Cats caught in moving engine parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your engine on, check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on the hood. 

We hope this information helps a little. Most of it is common sense in regards to pet care. Remember that if it’s cold for you, then it’s also cold for your pets.

We hope everyone stays warm & safe during this polar vortex.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM?

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM? 

I can tell you my personal pet story to help answer this question. I have a 3 year old cat that I rescued about 2 years ago. She was examined and vaccinated when I first adopted her and found to be healthy. About 6 months later I brought her in for a dental cleaning.  At that time she was found to be healthy and blood work was all normal. Six months after that it was time for her yearly annual.  When I brought her in, she all of a sudden had a very serious heart murmur that was not present in the 2 exams prior. 

Early detection has allowed me to keep a close eye on her murmur and be proactive in her cardiac health. All of the papers I read on her condition said that after diagnosis, most pets will live for about 1 year. It has been over a year now and she is still doing great. We make sure to monitor her closely. If it was not for her physical exam we would have never found out that she has this cardiac condition. 

I hope this helps answer the question as to why annual physical exams are needed to maintain pet health. 

Thank you for listening to my story,

Sarah K. (PVAH team member)

Thanksgiving Concerns

As we all know dogs and cats can be trouble makers when they want to be. We want to remind everyone of this prior to Thanksgiving. This is the day with all the great smells filling up the house that it seems like our pets always get into more trouble than we expect. We ask you to be cautious of your pets around the Thanksgiving Day food, bones, and everything else that would normally not be out. The link below shows this past years x-ray winners from Veterinary Practice News. Some of the images are graphic, so please only look if your stomach can handle it! If you do follow the link, you will see all of the abnormal things some pets ate. The thing to focus on is that two of them ate knives, so keep a close eye on the carving knife after you cut the turkey. 

http://media.animalnetwork.com/channelmedia/vpn/TheyAteWhat_2013.pdf

 

Be well and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. We at PVAH are thankful for all of our great clients and furry friends.

Halloween Candy & Tips

Halloween Candy – to feed or not to feed: 

Halloween is just around the corner. Remember to watch your pets around all the candy. When animals eat something other than their normal diet, it can cause diarrhea. The diarrhea can be associated with mucus or even blood. On top of having an upset stomach, chocolate in larger quantities, especially baking chocolate, can be dangerous for your pet. Keep the candy up high & your pet safe! 

Another Halloween tip is to be cautious of scary masks around your furry friends. These can scare your pet and even in some cases result in abnormal behavior such as biting. 

YEARLY HEARTWORM TESTING JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE IMPORTANT:

We always get asked why heartworm testing is needed for pets that are on prevention monthly. The American Heartworm Society recommends pets are tested annually. Early detection of heartworm disease minimizes the damage to the heart and lungs. The importance of yearly testing has always been that heartworm prevention is not 100% and there is a risk of exposure.  We have always had concern for pets not eating the whole chew or vomiting the tablet after getting it, and therefore not being protected, but now there is concern for resistance to the heartworm preventions. 

Most of the manufacturers of heartworm prevention offer a guarantee with their medication if you have your pet tested annually. If your dog has a positive heartworm test while on their prevention, they will pay for 100% of the treatment to eliminate the disease. Otherwise, the treatment can be very costly.

Heartworm prevention should be given minimally April 1^st to December 1^st in this area, but year round treatment is better.