Start 2015 On The Right Paw!

The New Year is coming up, and everyone is getting their most important yearly tradition ready: New Year's Resolutions! 

Here are a few simple resolutions and some New Year's Eve safety tips that can help keep your pet happy and healthy as they dive into 2015!

New Year’s Eve Resolutions

Schedule A Date With Your Vet - Since our pets cannot talk to us and tell us what is wrong or what hurts, regular visits to the vet are a key component of good preventive care. We recommend yearly physical exams for pets between the ages of 1-7 years old. However, senior pets, over the age of 7 years, and pets with medical issues may need to be seen more frequently, as these pets may require diet changes, supplements, and/or medication. Veterinary visits are also the perfect time to ask for advice, renew flea and tick preventatives, or get an expert opinion on any behavioral issues that may be affecting your bonding with your pet.1

Keep Those Teeth Clean! - According to veterinary dental studies, 70-85% of companion animals over the age of 3, have periodontal disease. Keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy by committing to daily toothbrushing. If your pet isn’t fond of the toothbrush, ask us about other ways to care for your pet’s teeth. You can also stop by one of our free monthly dental seminars to learn toothbrushing techniques and other helpful dental care information.

Say ‘NO’ to pesky parasites - Fleas, ticks, and other parasites carry diseases that can cause illness for your pets and even for your family! Fleas can transmit parasites that can result in gastrointestinal symptoms and other illnesses for your pet. Terrible ticks can carry diseases, which, in some cases, can be quite serious. Prevention is the key to keeping your furry friend safe from these pesky parasites! A yearly fecal test is recommended, in all healthy pets, to screen for intestinal parasites. 

Start Weight Loss At Home - If you are committing to your pet’s healthier lifestyle, don't feel guilty about spoiling them less with food treats. Try putting some (or all) of your pet's dry food into a treat dispenser, like the KONG Cat Wobbler or the Dogit Go Slow Dog Bowl. Make sure you are feeding your pets the appropriate type and amount of food for his age and weight.

Get Moving! - Buy or make interactive toys, instead of reaching for that bag of treats. Focus on items that will get your cat moving, like a laser pointer or a feather on a stick. Get out the leash and take your pup for a quick, 20 minute walk in the backyard, or even around the house! Just remember to keep your pet up-to-date on their flea and tick prevention to avoid bringing home pesky critters!

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips

Microchip - Microchip or tag your pet. Loud noises from New Year’s festivities can cause pets to become spooked and run off.

Tire ‘Em Out - Take your pet for an extra long walk during the day so pets can sleep through the festivities

No Party Pets - Keep pets away from party foods and drinks - especially alcohol! When ingested, alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Peace & Quiet - Fireworks and other loud noises are frightening to pets. Keep them in a quiet area with plenty of water, toys, and treats to keep them occupied.

1. http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/seasonal/top-10-new-years-resolutions-for-your-pet-you

Six Winter Holiday Pet Hazards

The holidays are a festive time for everyone; however with extra hustle and bustle, we can easily overlook added dangers to our furry friends. Here is a list of the top six holiday hazards to keep in mind, to ensure a merry holiday for all.

O Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree in a corner, blocked off from your pet's wandering eyes to avoid having your tree tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the area clear of fallen pine needles. If ingested, the needles can puncture your pet's intestines.

Helpful Tip:

To keep your dog or cat from attempting to jump onto the tree, you can place aluminum foil, a plastic drink bottle filled with knick knacks, or anything else that creates noise on the tree's bottom limbs to warn you of an impending tree disaster.3

Holiday Plants

Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe, another Christmas plant, can cause mild signs of gastrointestinal upset, if ingested in small amounts; however, when ingested in large amounts, mistletoe can cause abnormal heart rate, seizures, and in some cases, death. Poinsettias, although mildly toxic to pets, can cause mild signs of vomiting, drooling, or diarrhea. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.1

Tinsel 

Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.1

Holiday Ornaments

Bright and colorful tree ornaments can also catch your pet’s attention. Be sure to place glass and aluminum ornaments higher up on the tree and clean up any broken pieces immediately. Pets can chew and swallow these sharp edges; which can not only create a choking hazard, but also lacerate your pet’s mouth, throat and intestines.

Lights and Candles

Burning candles should be placed in appropriate candle holders on high shelves or mantels, and away from curious pets. It is also very important to never leave lit candles unattended. Therefore, if you leave a room, put the candle out - it only takes one swing of a wagging tail to cause a fire!

Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.2

Draw the Line

If you notice that your pet is especially focused on a particular holiday decoration, e.g., snatching the same sprig of holly off of the Christmas tree or batting around the same piece of tinsel - it may be a good idea to separate your pet from that area of the house. Keeping room doors closed or creating a barrier with a baby gate are great separation options; additionally, simply removing those "problem" items from your holiday decorations can ensure that your pets are kept away from them.

1. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/holiday-safety-tips
2. http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health/Top-5-Holiday-Dangers-to-Pets.aspx
3. http://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_multi_christmas_safety

Is your pet featured on your holiday card?

Get into the holiday spirit and enter our Holiday Card Contest for a chance to win a customized portrait of your pet from C.M. Maniet's Pencil Smudged Pet Portraits!

How To Enter:

Email your holiday card to socialmedia@rauanimalhospital.com to be entered into the Holiday Card Contest, and we will post your photo to an album on our Facebook page. Contest participants, friends, family, and the general public will be invited to vote for their favorite pet photo card.

Be sure to share your pet's holiday card on your Facebook page, after we post it, to encourage your friends and family to boost your pet's votes. 

We will select a winner on Wednesday, December 31st and award a special gift, which includes a gift certificate for a customized portrait of your pet from C.M. Maniet Pencil Smudged Pet Portraits!

Ronin & Keiko, our 2013 contest winners!

Contest Rules:

1. Email your pet's holiday card to socialmedia@rauanimalhospital.com

2. Please put your pet's name followed by "Holiday Card Contest" in the subject line of the email (Ex: Fluffy - Holiday Card Contest)

3. You may submit only (1) holiday card per family; and photos must be new to the contest (cannot resubmit from a previous contest)

4. Eligible holiday cards will be posted to our Facebook page

5. Encourage your friends and family to "like" your pet's holiday card

6. Photo submissions and voting will run until December 30, 2014 (11:59pm EST) and winners will be announced on December 31st, 2014!

The Importance of Wellness Dentistry

by Vickie Byard, CVT, VTS (Dentistry), CVJ

A Rau client is the proud owner of a 2 year old Siamese, named Thai.  While Thai is a fabulous feline, he will not allow his owner to brush his teeth.

Thai before Wellness Dentistry

By his first birthday, Thai had accumulated a significant amount of dental tartar.  Thai’s veterinarian recommended a COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Therapy), which included a full mouth X-ray series.  This procedure cost the owner approximately $460.  By the age of two, it was noted on Thai’s physical examination, that his teeth had accumulated a fair amount of tartar.  Thai’s veterinarian, Dr. Kirchhoffer, explained that the tartar would create disease in the mouth, such as: gingivitis and periodontitis.  Therefore, a Wellness Dentistry was recommended.

Thai after Wellness Dentistry

A Wellness Dentistry is a procedure that involves a cleaning and assessment, without full mouth intraoral radiographs (x-rays).  The same standard of care is utilized to safeguard your pet.  We provide a dedicated anesthetist, an IV catheter and fluids, and a professional cleaning under general anesthesia.  However, the radiographs are only repeated if a problem is noted.  Thai’s Wellness Dentistry required 20 minutes for our team to clean and chart his mouth.  This procedure cost the owner approximately $220.  

Rau Animal Hospital veterinarians emphasize the importance and the overall health benefits of a healthy mouth.  Wellness Dentistries are designed to be more affordable for our clients, while maintaining a high level of dental service for your pets. Some owners may hesitate due to possible anesthetic risks.  In reality, the shortest anesthetic procedures are the safest for your pet.

Wellness Dentistries are applicable for pets 3 years old or less, with healthy mouths or for pets who have had a recent dental procedure. Ask your veterinarian today, if YOUR pet is a candidate for a Wellness Dentistry!