Thursday, December 12, 2013

Pets as Christmas Presents





Sometimes it may seem like a cute idea to give someone a pet as a Christmas present, but it’s important to give that some extra thought before you do it. Most pets that are given up lose their home because their owner loses interest in them or is unprepared for the responsibility of pet ownership. 


This is a huge problem seen among pet owners who receive their pets as “gifts.” Children especially are given the mistaken idea that pets are all fun and games, but they are not fully ready to take on the responsibility of feeding, walking, cleaning, and training their pet.


Instead of giving pets as presents, we recommend getting acclimated to the idea of bringing a new pet into your home. Bringing your children to volunteer at an animal shelter or babysitting the pet of a friend or family member can help. 



Children and potential pet owners (no matter their age!) need to be reminded that pets aren’t just cute; they are also hungry, need to exercise, and need to use the bathroom. They can be messy when they aren’t fully trained, and the training process can be difficult too.
Please, don’t adopt until everyone in your family is READY.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Animal Cruelty and Prevention







Christina Jackson can’t understand how anyone could not fall in love with her 2-year-old mutt, Teddy. The frisky dog has a zest for life that’s contagious.

“We love how affectionate and good natured he is at home,” Jackson says. “He’s always elated to see us and if you call him, he comes running with enthusiasm every time. When it’s time for a walk, he gets so excited that he runs up and down the stairs twenty times because he cannot contain his joy.”

But Teddy had a tough time before he came to live with Christina and her husband in Long Beach, Calif. His original owner died, so he went to live with her children, who did not want him. They left him in the backyard with aggressive pit bulls, where he was never washed or groomed, or taken for walks. Fortunately, he was eventually put up for adoption on Adopt-a-Pet.com, and came to live with the Jacksons.

“When we first got him, we had to shave him because of matting and severe skin sores,” Jackson says. “He would inhale his food – literally! No chewing! – and then often choke as a result. He was fearful of Henry (their beagle) stealing his food. Poor boy! After a while, he felt secure enough to slow down and eat at a normal pace.”

Teddy had been the victim of animal cruelty, the infliction of suffering or harm upon animals for purposes other than self-defense.
 
“It’s such an emotional topic because it’s terrible,” says Gregg Takashima, DVM, president of AAHA and director of Parkway Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Ore. “But to affect change in society, we have to do it in an educated, thoughtful way.”

In his 25 years of practice, most of the animals he’s treated for some form of animal cruelty have not been harmed intentionally, but by owners who inadvertently neglected their pets because of lack of education. Many of these instances involved hoarding, when a person has so many pets in their home or yard that the animals are underfed, or left outside without adequate care, heat or shade.

Signs of neglect or abuse can vary, from an unkempt, thin and frightened animal to outright physical trauma, according to Takashima. He is careful to point out that though fear can be an indicator, it does not always mean that the animal is suffering from animal cruelty.

If someone sees chained and untended pets without food, water or protection from the elements, or an owner physically abuse an animal, they should contact the authorities rather than risk a dangerous confrontation. Concerned citizens should call the police, animal control, or the local humane society or for advice or to report the situation.



 
Not surprisingly, educating ourselves and our neighbors goes a long way toward preventing animal cruelty. Veterinarians can play a crucial role in spreading information as well.

“Sometimes they just don’t know,” Takashima says. “When it’s freezing outside and people have water bowls outside for their dogs, those dogs are not going to get any water because it’s going to freeze. We need to educate them ahead of time.”

Setting a good example as a pet owner is helpful; talking to a veterinarian is an excellent place to start, as well as attending classes at local shelters, city parks or schools. On a larger scale, we can advocate for anti-cruelty laws and learn more at websites for the Humane Society (www.humanesociety.org) or the ASPCA (www.aspca.org).

Ultimately, humans have a responsibility to protect animals.

“Animals are so loyal – they trust whoever their owner is to the death,” Dr. Takashima says. “It’s up to us not to betray that trust.”


Originally published by Healthy Pet.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Importance of Annual Health Visits for Pets




Here at West Boulevard Veterinary Clinic, we recommend that all pets come in on an annual basis for a complete physical examination. These include a complete nose-to-tail check, a dental check, and a parasite check. Depending on your pet’s age, it may include blood work as well.

These exams are so important for our pets because they help us, as your pet’s primary medical provider, to establish a baseline of health for your pet. As your pet ages, this is very important for us because we are much better able to identify changes in their physical condition.

For example, if we are familiar with your pet’s resting heart rate, basal body temperature, and appearance in complete health, we’ll be that much more equipped to identify a physical change in their health, prompting us to administer the appropriate diagnostic tests.


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

What is a hotspot?




Question

My dog was recently diagnosed with a "hotspot." Can you tell me more about this skin condition?

 

Answer

“Hotspot” is a general term used to describe the angry reaction that your pet’s skin is displaying. It may also be referred to as “acute moist dermatitis.”
Hotspots have many causes, but are usually the result of self trauma and subsequent infection that occurs as your pet tries to relieve himself from a pain or itch. An underlying allergy is most often the cause of the pain or itch. Some breeds are more prone to seasonal allergies, so you may see hotspots at the same time each year.
There are three types of allergies that may lead to hotspots:
  • Inhaled allergy (pollens, dust, molds)
  • Insect allergy (fleas, bee sting, spider bite)
  • Ingested allergy (food)
Please discuss treatment options, which may include thorough cleaning, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, with your veterinarian.
For more information, see Library Articles Skin Problems in Pets, Allergies and Spring Allergies.

Originally published on Healthy Pet.