A common misconception among cat owners is that keeping their cats indoors will keep them safe from disease and infection.  Though keeping your cat indoors will decrease their chances of illness and injury, it does not guarantee that they won't be exposed to parasites inside your home.

In a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association it was found that at least 25% of cats with heartworm disease are indoor cats.

Parasites find their way to your indoor cat through a number of ways.  Have you ever seen a bug in your house?  Mosquitoes can get into your home and infect your cat with heartworm - even if your cat never sets a paw outside!  Heartworm is a very serious disease and is much harder to treat than it is to prevent.  Often, by the time a cat presents with symptoms of a heartworm infection they have permanent damage to their vital organs.

Many other parasites, such as hookworm and roundworm, can be spread through infected feces and soil.  If you have other pets that go outdoors, or if you ever come in with dirt on your shoes, your feline friends can also be exposed to the infected dirt that came inside with you.  Infections such as these can cause things like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, and anemia. 

Fleas can get into your house by riding on your dogs.  If your indoor cat is not protected against fleas, then those fleas will likely make a cozy home on them.

By choosing to keep your cats inside you have already made a decision that will help them live a longer, healthier life.  Make sure they stay parasite free too.  We recommend using Revolution, a monthly topical product, to prevent infection of heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, fleas, and ear mites.  Learn more about Revolution at their website:  www.revolutionpet.com.    

Enjoy the Summer with your Pets

Summer in the Midwest is a wonderful time to be outside with your pets.  Many of us spend our days at the lake, park, cabin, or just out in the backyard.  Having our pets with us make this time of year even more enjoyable.

The most obvious concern for pets during the summer is the heat.  It is very easy for an animal to get overheated.   Dogs don't always know when to take it easy and may retrieve that tennis ball until they collapse.  Make sure your dogs rest and give them access to fresh, clean drinking water during any outdoor activity.  If you stop playing for a moment and the dog lays down on its own, then it is time for a break. 

NEVER leave your pets in your car during the summer.  Not only is it illegal, it is also very dangerous for your pets.  Even with the windows down on what seems like a cooler day, it doesn't take long for the heat to turn your car into a furnace.  When you leave a pet in the car they have no way to escape.  Don't take any chances with your furry friends, NEVER leave them in the car.

One way to beat the heat with your pets is to go swimming.  Swimming is great exercise for dogs; it works their muscles without weight bearing.  There are some precautions to take when swimming with our dogs though.  Before heading out to the lake make sure pets are allowed.  If you are swimming on a populated lake or river beware of boats.  Dogs are not very visible on the water and a passing boat driver may not see them.  If you are playing in the river be aware of the undertow.  It can quickly sweep an unsuspecting dog under water and down the river.

Boating with dogs can also be a very enjoyable activity, but requires some safety precautions.  Just like people, dogs should wear a life jacket while on a boat.  Life jackets for your dog are available at our clinic.  Life jackets provide your dog with a lifesaving flotation devices, make them more visible on the water, and many also come with handles on the top so you can pull your dog out of the water if necessary.  These jackets are also helpful for dogs learning to swim, or dogs that swim for extended periods of time.

When you are driving your boat it is important to keep your dog securely inside the boat.  If you have to take a quick turn or the dog gets excited and tries to jump out you run the risk of serious injury.

A dog that spends a lot of time in the water is at risk for ear infections.  Always use a drying ear rinse after swimming and bathing.  If used properly, these products can prevent most ear infections. 

Dirty lake or river water can also cause a dog's skin to become irritated.  A quick fix for this problem is to rinse your dog off with the hose or in the tub with clean water after swimming.  If your dog spends a lot of time in the water we recommend bathing.  Use a shampoo made specifically for dogs as human shampoo can be irritating.

All pets should be put on a parasite preventative, and a flea and tick preventative.  In the Midwest our canine and feline friends come in contact with lots of nasty things like heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, fleas, ticks, and ear mites.  Even if they don't spend a lot of time outdoors they are at risk. 

Summer is a wonderful season to spend time outdoors with your pets.  With the proper planning and prevention you can ensure that your time will be fun and safe for both you and your furry friends.




 

MICROCHIPS ARE A MUST!

In April of this year Sue and Mark (wonderful clients) had a visitor.  A stray cat was hanging around their yard and decided he was going to stay under their BBQ.  Sue and Mark started feeding the skinny stray male.  The cat thought this was OK and decided to stay for a while. 

Sue and Mark, being attentive feline caregivers, were concerned about the cat's health and his owners ( he had definitely been someone's house cat) who were hopefully searching for him.  They brought the cat over to our clinic for an exam and to be scanned for a microchip. 

This cat was pretty skinny and had some hair loss, but overall he was in good shape.  Most importantly- he had a microchip!  We routinely scan all strays and new pets for microchips for this exact reason.  As you can imagine, our staff was jumping for joy when we realized we could help him find his family. 

We contacted the microchip's national database who promptly gave us the registered owners contact information.  We immediately phoned Kristen and Sundar to tell them the news that their cat "Billi" was safe and sound. 



They told us Billi's story.  Kristen and Sundar were taking out their thrash when he slipped out the back door.  Frightened, Billi ran off and was unable to be found.  Fliers and pictures were posted in his neighborhood, but unfortunately there was no response.  They also contacted local shelters and vet clinics.  Kristen and Sundar feared they would never see Billi again.  

Billi was lost on January 27th in Richfield and was recovered in early April in Woodbury!  Only Billi knows what happened during that time- and how he crossed the river!  This story is precisely the reason we recommend microchipping and how this product can reunite you with a lost pet.  During hurricane Katrina, most of the pets that were reunited with their owners had microchips. 

We carry microchips at our clinic and can implant them at any time.  The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice.  It is implanted using a needle and it goes under your pet's skin between their shoulder blades (similar to how we give vaccines).  There is a one time registration fee ,and your information can easily be changed due to a move, new phone number, or new owner information. 

We were so excited to be part of this reunion of lost pet and owner.  Billi is now settling back in at home and getting to know the new family cat.  We recommend microchipping as part of your pets routine care.  To make a fast, 15 minute appointment with a technician for a microchip please call our clinic, or inquire about one any time you are here.  Spread the word, microchips are a must!!!

4th of July Safety for Pets

Summer is here and the 4th of July is right around the corner!That means fun in the sun, parties, and of course fireworks. 

Most of us will enjoy ourselves as we "ooh" and "ahh" at the lit sky.  Unfortunately this is  not the case for most pets. 

For many of our animal friends this will be the worst time of the year.  Dogs that have anxiety to storms or other loud noises will probably react the same, or worse, to fireworks. 

Signs of stress can include excessive drooling, pacing, barking, hiding, or destructive behavior.  This destructive behavior can damage not only our homes but the dogs themselves (i.e. kennel chewing/ chewing feet). 

Dogs left outside in these situations may go under or over fences.  In fact, this time of the year is when the most pets are lost or separated from their owners due to stress.

Cats that are left outside are at a high risk of getting lost, injured, or being mistreated.  The best things we can do for our worried pets is to keep them inside.  

Do your best to keep pets on their regular schedule.  Stay at home to comfort them, or play music to drown out the noise of fireworks.  Remember that your pets feed off of your emotions.  If you remain calm then they will often feel better too.

In extreme cases of stress pets can be medicated with anti-anxiety drugs.  For more information on anti-anxiety drugs please contact your veterinarian.  

If you plan on lighting off your own fireworks please be responsible and pick up any waste left over.  The remains can be dangerous to pets if they step on or ingest them.  Taking pets to public or private firework displays is strongly discouraged.

If you follow these precautions and make sure your pets are safe and comfortable you should all be able to enjoy the holidays together.  Happy Independence Day!!!