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With the leaves changing and the temperature dropping, the fall season is prime time for those high endurance and energetic hunting dogs! It is a time of year many hunters look forward to and train for throughout the spring and summer.
One of the best things about the hunting season is the time we can spend working with our dogs in the field and watching them excel at what they were bred to do.
Each breed of dog is bred for a specific style of hunting. For example, the Labrador Retriever is bred for flushing birds and then retrieving the bird to the hunter's hand. They also love the water and are great for duck hunting.
Pointing breeds, such as Vizslas, German Shorthair Pointers, and English Setters, are meant to track the bird, hold point (literally pointing the bird out to the hunter) so the hunter can flush the bird, and once shot, give the command to the dog to fetch and retrieve the bird to hand. Watching these dogs in action is quite remarkable!
It is important to prepare these dogs in advance for the stamina and endurance necessary for the season. This training will also decrease the likelihood of injury that may end a promising hunting season.
Diet is important as these dogs burn many calories in the field and need extra nutrition. Many of these diets have a higher calorie count for energy.
It may also be necessary to increase the amount you feed your dog during this season. There are many choices available and your veterinarian can help you find the right one for your dog. With the extra energy hunting dogs will expel in the field, proper diet will help not only with endurance, but also mobility and general health.
First aids kits are a must-have for every hunter and their dog. Hunting dogs face many obstacles in the fields such as barbed wire fences, skunks, and bees. A well stocked first aid kit will help you care for your canine companion should they suffer any injuries in the field.
Your first aid kit should include things such as any medications your dog is currently on, eye and ear rinse, gauze for wrapping, and scissors. Hunters should speak to their veterinarian about bringing a supply of antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatory medications for injuries, anti-histamines for allergic reactions, and topical antibiotics for cuts and scratches. It is also wise to carry anti-venom if your dog will be sharing the field with rattlesnakes.
Before leaving, apply a veterinarian recommended flea and tick preventative, and trim your dogs nails to help prevent broken nails in the field.
Last, but not least, Health Certificates are required for any owner traveling out of state with their dog. Many states have specific requirements regarding vaccinations and our veterinarians would be happy to help you get your dog ready ahead of time. Because some states change their policies year to year it is important to check with your vet before each hunting season.
If you and your dog are heading out into the field this hunting season we encourage you to contact us to make sure your dog is fully prepared. With the proper preparations and training, hunters and their dogs can safely enjoy the season together. |
Halloween Precautions for Pets |
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 Candy, pumpkins, costumes, and trick-or-treaters are just some of the things that make Halloween such a fun holiday. Unfortunately, these same things can be very dangerous to our pets. Before the big day arrives there are some precautions every pet owner should take.
Experienced trick-or-treaters know that the main focus of Halloween is all the great food, and most of our pets would agree. Be sure not to leave candy unattended during the holiday season. Chocolate, even in small amounts, can be quite toxic to animals. Other tasty treats can be dangerous to our four-legged friends if eaten in excess. Pets may also be curious about holiday decorations such as candles, so don't leave any lighted candles or jackolanterns unattended.
 Although most trick-or-treaters are out for the treats, there are some individuals who may be out for the tricks as well. Dogs and cats who are outdoors during the evening hours are prime targets for Halloween pranks. Be sure to keep animals indoors on Halloween night and escort them outside when necessary.
Many animals get anxious or excited when people come to the door. For the safety of your pets and the children trick-or-treating, these animals should be kept in a kennel or separate room during prime trick-or-treating hours. Halloween night can be filled with many new sights and sounds. Some animals may be overly sensitive to these unfamiliar stimuli. We recommend that owners of these animals take similar precautions to those taken for the Fourth of July.
Halloween can be a fun experience for both pets and their owners if the proper precautions are taken. For more information about how to prepare your pet for Halloween please contact us at Carver Lake Veterinary Center.
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 On Saturday October 20th Carver Lake Veterinary Center will be hosting Laurie Erickson, a professional pet photographer. She will be here for the day taking photos of pets and their families. For nine years Laurie has been doing photo sittings at Carver Lake and we are excited to have her back again.
Laurie has experience photographing everything from snakes and birds to horses and guinea pigs! She even manages to get amazing photos of the wiggliest of cats and dogs.
This is a great opportunity to do a family portrait, or get fun pictures for your Holiday cards. Laurie has a selection of background and props for holiday and traditional portraits. Please call Carver Lake for more information or to reserve your time.
Laurie has loved photography since she was a teenager. For the last 25 years she has done commercial photography of pets. Many of her photos have run in magazines and newspaper advertisement, as well as in pet  calendars.
Laurie was drawn to the world of pet photography because she felt a connection to animals and believes that connection helps her capture their true expression. She herself owns 2 whippets and a Basenji and spends much of her free time training and showing them.
To take advantage of this great opportunity please be sure to make a reservation! We hope to see you there!
To learn more about Laurie Erickson's pet photography check out her website at www.lauriejerickson.com.
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Microchipping - Important for All Pets! |
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When pets are lost, the main reason they aren't returned to their owners is that the pet cannot be identified. Nationally, only 16 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats ever find their way back home.
All pets should wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their owner or veterinarian, but tags can come off.
A microchip provides permanent identification with a unique number that cannot be altered. It is a quick, easy, inexpensive way to make sure that your pet can be identified if ever lost or stolen.
The microchipping procedure is simple and similar to administering a vaccine and is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades.
Once microchipped, should your pet ever become lost or stolen, veterinary clinics, shelters, and police stations have microchip scanners that will read you pet's unique ID number.
Once a microchip number is found, the microchip company will be contacted and they will contacy you, your alternate contact, and your veterinary clinic . This way, no matter where or when your pet is found, they will be able to reach someone.
Microchipping can be done anytime at Carver Lake Veterinary Center. Call today to schedule your appointment!
Learn more about microchips here.
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2201 Ventura Drive