Car Sickness In Pets

Does your dog throw up in the car when you go for rides? He may be experiencing typical motion sickness, just like some people do. Motion sickness usually begins very shortly after starting the car ride. The dog will begin to drool and then vomit. It’s not serious, but certainly not something that we like to clean up! To solve the problem, first try acclimating the dog to car rides. Do this by simply putting him in the car for a few minutes each day without going anywhere. Then try just going down the driveway and back, and the next day going around the block. Gradually build up the distance and time the dog rides in the car. 

 Sometimes this will help to decrease the dog’s anxiety over riding in the car and may help to decrease vomiting. If that doesn’t work, there are some over-the-counter medications you can try. The medication will need to be given about an hour before the car ride. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation as to what drug to try and the dosage for your pet.

(Never give any medications to your pet without your veterinarian’s advice!) These drugs are safe, with drowsiness usually the only major side effect. But since your dog isn’t driving the car, that shouldn’t be a problem! If over-the-counter drugs don’t work, your veterinarian may be able to suggest another method for curing the car sickness.

Source: http://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/dog_care/general_health/car_sickness.aspx

Hot Weather Tips to Help Your Pet Stay Cool This Summer

Summer means enjoying the weather, and for most, with your pet! Remember to keep your pet healthy this summer by keeping them safe in the summer’s high temperatures.

Here are just some of the ways you can help ensure your pets have a safe summer:

Visit the Vet. A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations. Pets should also be given a blood test for heartworm every year in the early spring. The deadly parasite is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it is recommended that dogs and cats be on a monthly preventive medication year-round. 

Keep Cool. Dogs and cats can become dehydrated quickly, so give your pets plenty of water when it is hot outdoors. Also make sure your pet has a shady place to escape the sun, and when the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. 

Know the Symptoms. Some symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, seizures, and an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Summertime is the perfect time for a backyard barbeque or party, but remember to keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression, comas, or even death. Similarly, remember that the snacks you serve your friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments.” Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol. 

Water Safety is Pet-friendly. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool, as not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure pets wear flotation devices while on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset. 

Source: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/aspca-offers-hot-weather-safety-tips-help-pets-beat-heat-during-dog-and-cat

Disaster Preparedness Tips

You may have heard about, if you were not part of, the natural disasters that have happened around the world.  One thing we know for sure is that hey can happen at any moment, so it is important to be well prepared. 

Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.

Here are 3 easy steps that will help you get started on disaster preparedness.

Step 1: Get a Rescue Alert Sticker to let people know pets are inside your home. 

Step 2: Arrange a Safe Haven in the event of evacuation.

Step 3: Keep an Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits handy and make sure everyone in your home knows where it is kept. 

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness

Dog House Repairs Month

Does your dog have a dog house? It's Dog House Repairs Month! Make sure their house is not made of pressure treated wood if they are a puppy or a chewer! Pressure treated wood is treated with arsenic and is poisonous to pets if consumed!

National Pet Preparedness Month

This month is National Pet Preparedness Month. In order to be sure your pet is prepared for a disaster, make sure your safety kit includes food, water, leash and collar, bowls, pet ID, medications, immunization records, pet carrier, first aid kit, and a contact list for all pet emergency contacts.

Over-the-Counter Medications & Pets

It’s important to keep your medicines out of your pet’s reach at all times, because human medication can be toxic to your pets! When your pet feels sick or is acting under the weather, never give them a human medicine, but bring them in for veterinary care instead. Even if you mean well, a dose of human medicine could be fatal to your pet.

We are proud to highlight Rescue, a 5 week old kitten who is owned by our very own Dr. Barnes!

Pet Beach Safety

Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun adventure, but it can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Before you go, be sure to check the local ordinances to make sure you are going to a dog-friendly beach. Make sure to pack fresh drinking water, food, a blanket, and a sun-shelter that your pet can relax under on the hot sand. Don’t forget, being safe is the key to having fun!

Fishing Safety

Fishing is a great summertime activity for you and your dog, but don’t forget to take every precaution for your pet’s safety before you go! Be mindful of fish hooks around your pet as they may get curious and hook their skin or even ingest the hook! Be sure you equip your pet with a life jacket too! We want your fun fishing experiences with your pet this summer season to be a happy one!

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Pets & Heatstroke

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your pet. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Pugs, Lhasa Apsos, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs are at a highly increased risk of heat stroke because their facial structure can make panting, the body’s way of cooling off, ineffective. This increased panting can actually interfere with their breathing, which may develop into respiratory distress. Protect your pet and keep them cool as the weather gets warmer this summer.

Snake Story

As a veterinarian, I have the privilege to hear all the wonderful animal hero stories. Such as, dog's waking the family when someone has a seizure, dogs going to the phone when it is ringing in a deaf person's house, but I had never heard a snake story before.

One day a client relayed this harrowing story to me. "One night, my family and I were camping with our Hound dog. I got up early, about 5am, because she was barking and wouldn't stop. I got out my flashlight, and aimed it where she was pointing. There, with it's mouth completely open, was a Cottonmouth Snake, coiled around the bottom of the picnic table. If I would have gone over innocently to make coffee, and sat down, I would be a dead man. That Hound dog saved my life."

Hurricane Season is Here!

Hurricane Season is here! Planning in advance for a natural disaster is the best way to be prepared. The team at Kindness Animal Hospital recommends that you have at least a two week supply of food, especially if on a prescription diet and 3-4 weeks of medications on hand. If an evacuation occurs, you’ll be ready with all the necessities that you will need to keep your pet safe. If you have any questions regarding hurricane season and your pet…please call us at 239-542-7387. 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month! Ensure your pets are included in emergency evacuation plans and safety procedures. With owners caring for pets as true family members, the majority of owners stated they would take their pets with them in the event of a disaster including 76 percent of dog owners and 67 percent of cat owners, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2011 / 2012 National Pet Owners Survey. The following are helpful preparation tips and products manufactured by APPA members to keep in mind for the whole family should disaster strike.

Stock Food & Water
Ensure pets have a vast supply of food and water to last for at least three days if needed. Non-perishable canned or freeze-dried foods are great to pack up and easy for storing at room temperature. Visit http://stewartpet.com/our-products/freeze-dried-food/for a selection of easy-to-store freeze-dried foods by Stewart^®.

Provide Fido with Float Gear
In the case of a hurricane or flood, ensure pets remain safe, afloat and visible at all times. Click Fido into a floatation vest and check out http://www.kurgostore.com/products/Surf%252dn%252dTurf-.htmlfor dog life vests, coats and more.

Pack First Aid Essentials
Prepare for any situation with essential first aid items for pets including bandages, antiseptics, and other proper tools. Should a pet need minor wound treatment or stabilizing, be ready to go with a packed first aid kit. Visit www.PawFlex.comfor disposable, tough and fur-friendly bandages.

Ensure Pets are Identifiable
Should a pet get lost in a crowd or separated during the hustle and bustle of an evacuation, ALWAYS ensure pets are easily identifiable and able to be tracked down no matter where you end up. Double check pets are secure with identification tags and all emergency contact information is up-to-date including alternate contact information in case you are forced to evacuate your house. Visit www.PetHub.comfor tags with GPS and scanning capabilities.

Mobilize the Earth for Earth Day 2012

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed,and the modern environmental movement was born.

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, in the face of global inaction on pressing environmental problems, we must harness that power.

Earth Day Network is calling upon individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to Mobilize the Earth™ and demand that environmental issues become a top priority.

Employee NEW Pet

Jessica Sears is the proud new owner of "Blue", a Pit-Bull puppy.

Pets & Easter Lilies

Lilies are a popular Easter flower, but did you know that they can actually be toxic to your pet? Like the Christmas poinsettias, lilies can attract the attention of your pet, especially cats, and then have a toxic effect when ingested. Keep those Easter lilies far from your pet's reach this season, or look into artificial options. The art of artificial flowers have gotten so advanced that your guests won't be able to tell the difference...and your pet will be safe.

Today is Every Day is Tag Day!

Today is Every Day Is Tag Day, a day to encourage all pet owners to tag and microchip their companion animals. What have you done to make your pet identifiable if they become lost?