Newsletter

Keeping your pet cool in the summertime is a must! In this special report from the Veterinary News Network, Dr. Jim Humphries shares tips on preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke when summertime temperatures climb.

It is always a good idea to keep pets at a safe distance from wildlife. In general, wildlife will shy away from people and pets; however, conflicts with pets can and do occur. It is important to keep in mind that wild animals are looking to survive, and conflicts that occur with pets are often a result of wildlife simply trying to defend themselves, their young, or their territory. Listed below are some tips pet owners can take to proactively prevent conflicts between pets and wildlife from occurring.

Keep your dog leashed and close by at all times.

Keep your cats indoors.

The average life span of a cat kept indoors is more than double that of a cat allowed outside. In addition, there are many hazards that endanger the health and safety of outdoor cats, like automobiles, infectious diseases and parasites and predators. Non-neutered cats also contribute to the cat overpopulation problem.

There are a number of things you can do to help make the transition easier for your outdoor cat to move inside. Walking or exercising them on a leash, building a secure, covered outdoor pen, providing lots of toys and scratching posts, and planting edible cat grasses and plants inside are just a few.

Keep a basic pet and human first aid kit.

When hiking with your pet, only hike during daylight hours and stay alert!

Skunks do not see very well and often respond to abrupt or quick movements by spraying in self-defense. If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk, the following recipe can help diffuse the odor: combine 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid laundry or dish soap. This recipe can be used on animals and clothing. If your pet gets sprayed in the eyes, flushing them with cold water can help ease the discomfort.

During hunting season, there are additional steps you can take to help protect people and pets. When walking or hiking in the woods with your pets in the fall and early winter seasons, it is important to take some precautions. Fall is one of the busiest times for wildlife, as many animals are on the move, actively foraging for food and shelter, mating before winter, and avoiding hunters. There are several things you can do to keep you, your family, and your pets safe and sound.

Be aware of state hunting and trapping regulations.

For hunting and trapping schedules and more information, contact your state division of Fisheries and Wildlife so you know when and where hunting activities are occurring.

Steer clear of areas where hunting is allowed.

When walking or hiking in the woods with your family and pets, be sure everybody wears brightly colored outerwear. Purchase a florescent orange dog coat or vest at your local pet-supply store.

Do not allow your dog to chase deer or other wildlife.

When walking in areas where hunting is permitted, talk loudly and make noise periodically to alert any hunters of your presence.

Know your route and stay on marked trails and pathways.

1. You catch your dog doing something you don't want him to do and you yell at him. Your dog is not making eye contact with you. His lips are pulled back and his ears are flat against his head. He turns his head away from you and licks his lips when you approach. What is your dog expressing?

1. Submission
2. Guilt
3. Stubbornness
4. Fear

2. You meet a strange dog. He snarls at you with his hackles (the hair on his back) raised. His tail is held low and stiff and his ears are laid back. What is this dog saying?

1. I am afraid and may bite or run.
2. I am the boss and I am going to bite you.
3. I am afraid and will run away.
4. I am angry.

3. Your dog is chattering his teeth. What is he saying?

1. I smell a female dog in heat.
2. I am hungry.
3. I am cold.
4. I am feeling car sick.

4. Your male dog mounts another male. Why?

1. Because he likes other male dogs.
2. Because he wants to mate and is frustrated.
3. Because he likes the other dog.
4. To show that he is the boss.

5. A dog is approaching you slowly. He is looking directly into your eyes and seems to be walking on his tiptoes. His ears are up and his tail is also up and wagging slowly. What is he saying?

1. I am curious.
2. I am friendly.
3. I may bite you.
4. I am scared.

6. Your dog faces you and is panting. He bows down on his front legs with his tail wagging quickly. He barks in a high-pitched voice. What is he saying?

1. I am frustrated.
2. I need to go outside!
3. I want some food.
4. Play with me!

7. Your dog yawns. What is he saying?

1. I am bored.
2. I need a walk.
3. I am tired.
4. I am nervous.

8. A dog you don't know comes up to you and takes your hand in his mouth without biting it. What is he saying?

1. I want some food.
2. Hello!
3. If you move, I'll bite you.
4. I am worried.

9. You approach a puppy whom you just caught urinating on the floor. He rolls over on his back and urinates again. What is he saying?

1. I am submissive.
2. I am spiteful. I urinate on the floor on purpose.
3. I am not housebroken.
4. I will urinate where I please.

10. You are teaching your dog something new. After a bit of work, he scratches at his neck. You are sure he doesn't have any fleas. Why is he scratching?

1. He needs a break.
2. He is being stubborn.
3. He is itchy.
4. He wants to pull his collar off.

Answer Key

1. A
2. A
3. A
4. D
5. C
6. D
7. D
8. A
9. A
10. A

One of the best ways to strengthen the bond between you and your cat is to play games together. When you play with your cat, you become the most interesting object in his or her life. Not only is playtime fun for your cat, it's also a great way to get your cat to exercise, both mentally and physically.

Following are six games you can play with your cat. Not every feline will want to play every game on this list, but certainly there are at least a few games here that you and your cat will enjoy. While most of them require objects you may have around the house, there are also a number of toys available that provide the same fun. The key is to actually play with your cat in order to create a fun and lasting relationship with your cat while also keeping them trim and healthy.

Paw Hockey - Play this game in a room with hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors that has at least 10 square feet of free floor space. Break off an eight-inch square of aluminum foil and scrunch it up into a hockey puck shape. (Please remember that foil balls should always be thrown away at the end of the game. They are fine for games, but are not safe for unsupervised play.) Show your cat the puck and then flick it with your fingers so that it goes skittering across the floor. Your cat will then chase after the puck, batting it with his paws and making it scoot from one end of the room to the other. If your cat starts to lose interest in the game, pick up the puck and give it another flick.

Staircase Dash - With your cat at the top of the stairs and you at the bottom, fling a ping pong ball to the top of the staircase, against the side wall, one or two steps in front of where your cat is sitting. The ball bounces down the stairs and your cat should race down the stairs chasing after it. When the ball reaches the bottom of the stairs, probably with your cat just a step behind, fling the ball back up to the top of the staircase. Keep tossing the ball up the steps until your cat gets tired.

Bathtub Scurry - Put a ping pong ball in a clean, dry bathtub. Remove the bottles of shampoo and bars of soap and plug the drain so the ping pong ball doesn't get lodged there. Put your cat in the bathtub, show him the ping pong ball, and bounce the ball off the side of the bathtub. As the ball bounces around, your cat should chase after it. If the ball starts to slow down, give it a good roll off the side to get it moving again and to keep up your cat's interest.

Chase the Thing on the String - Get an aluminum foil ball, hollow plastic Whiffle ball, or catnip mouse and tie it to a three-foot piece of twine or heavy string. Pull the string along the floor in front of you, over the cat furniture, or up and down your staircase and let your cat chase after the object. Be sure to allow your cat to capture the object every once in awhile so he/she can feel like a successful predator.

Shadows on the Wall - Turn off the lights in the evening and shine a flashlight on a nearby wall. Dangle bouncy cat toys or other small objects in the light and move them back and forth so their shadows race up and down the wall. Your cat should leap up at the wall trying to catch the elusive prey.

If you own a pet, fleas and ticks are nothing new. In a special video report, Dr. Jim Humphries with the Veterinary News Network and PetDocsOnCall discusses the importance of flea and tick prevention and shares tips on how to keep pesky parasites away from your pet.

You And Your Veterinarian Working Together To Keep Your Dog Healthy

Maintaining your dog in top physical shape and optimum health is the goal of every responsible dog owner. It is also your veterinarian's goal, and together, you can ensure that your pet stays healthy for years to come. Crucial to maintaining your dog's good health is the routine physical examination that your veterinarian performs on your pet.

Why are regular check-ups important?

Check-ups are important because they provide an opportunity to prevent diseases or even avoid them altogether. Unfortunately, many pet owners tend to underestimate the value of these visits because their pets appear to be healthy. However, this may be deceiving, since many diseases are often not evident in the early stages.

Heartworm

Similarly, heartworm disease is a serious threat that causes cardiovascular weakness and lung incapacity. Caused by Dirofilaria immitis, these worms plug up blood vessels, which places an increased workload on the heart, along with restricted blood flow to the lungs, kidneys, and liver. This can eventually lead to multiple organ failure, including heart failure and death. Visible signs of the disease often do not appear before the infection has caused significant and irreversible internal damage. As part of an annual physical examination, your veterinarian can perform a simple test to detect heartworm disease and prescribe an easy-to-use preventive.

Obesity

Your veterinarian can also determine whether or not your dog has an obesity problem. Obesity affects almost one out of every three pets, making it the most common nutritional disease among dogs and cats. Through visual assessment and palpation, your veterinarian can advise on whether or not your dog could benefit from a weight-reduction program.

Questions and Answers

The check-up also provides pet owners with the opportunity to have their questions answered regarding health, nutrition, training and hygiene.

Obedience training is important for your pet's health because behavioral problems account for more deaths in dogs than any known disease. In fact, a well-trained and obedient dog is more likely to live to a ripe old age than a poorly trained one. Obedience-trained dogs are less likely to be involved in car accidents and dogfights, tend to be happier, and are less likely to have behavioral problems. The checkup provides an opportunity to discuss training techniques and behavior concerns with your veterinarian.

Feeding a proper diet rates as one of the most important considerations in health maintenance. Its importance lies not only in optimizing a pet's health, but also in the prevention and management of many diseases. Nutritional counseling is an essential part of the veterinarian's checkup and many owners use the opportunity to gain valuable advice on what to feed their pets.

What happens during an examination?

Before the physical examination begins, your veterinarian asks you questions concerning your dog's state of health. This is very important for determining whether or not there are problem areas that need to be addressed. For example, a "history" of poor weight gain or weight loss can provide a clue to your veterinarian that there may be a parasite problem. Intestinal parasites (worms and protozoans) are a common problem in pets because they carry with them the potential to kill your pet. This is particularly true in young puppies, but also holds true for adult animals. With a simple stool test, your veterinarian is able to detect the presence of these parasites.

After obtaining a history, your veterinarian performs a physical examination on your dog. Starting at the head, your veterinarian examines the eyes, ears, face, and mouth. Examining the teeth is especially important since up to 85 percent of all dogs and cats over four years of age have some degree of periodontal disease! Early detection of periodontal disease is important, not only for effective treatment but also future prevention.

Disease detection

During the physical examination, your veterinarian listens to the chest with a stethoscope to make sure there are no respiratory or cardiovascular problems. For example, the early warning signs of heart failure can be detected in this way. Since more than 12 percent of the dog population experiences some form of heart problem in their lifetime that leads to heart failure, early detection is crucial.

For anyone traveling outside the United States with pets:

• Call the appropriate embassy in Washington to confirm the entry requirements for your pet(s). Some embassies provide forms printed in English and in the host language for your veterinarian to complete. Some countries do not permit importation, or have long quarantine requirements.
• Check the requirements to see how close to departure the required veterinary examination, vaccinations and tests must be completed.
• Arrange with your veterinarian for required vaccinations and certificates.

Certification requirements vary from country to country. Some countries simply require the examining veterinarian to be licensed in the state of origin. In this case, the veterinarian's examination statement does not need USDA certification. Some countries accept a standard letterhead health certificate and rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA. Other countries require that your pet be examined by a federally accredited veterinarian and that a United States Interstate and International Certificate for Health Examination for Small Animals (AHPIS Form 7001) be issued by the examining veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA. (Since August 1994, only a federally accredited veterinarian can sign this form.) Call the embassy to determine the exact requirements before making an appointment with a veterinarian. Also, check the airline, as there have been cases where a country does not require a certification but the airline does.

The timetable for obtaining examination statements and certifications can be very tight. Plan well in advance to be sure all paperwork is completed in time for your departure date. You may send your paperwork by mail or courier, along with a rabies certificate, the appropriate fee for service and a self-addressed stamped envelope or a pre-paid Federal Express envelope (if you are short of time) for return to you. Make sure that the veterinarian's name is legible and include a contact person with a daytime telephone number.

If you are planning to travel outside the US with your pet, you need to contact your local Veterinary Services office.

If you have a relatively uncomplicated plane flight, taking your pet along with you might be the best solution. Even if your pet is on the same flight as you, the appropriate documentation is still necessary. Ask your travel agent or call the airlines for price information.

If you are planning to ship your pet, reserve air space as early as possible. Be sure to schedule your pet's arrival on a weekday and not on a weekend, as it is usually necessary for animals to be cleared by a veterinarian or health inspector upon arrival.

Provide a sturdy, leak-proof crate (lined with absorbent material such as newspaper) that is large enough for the animal to stand, lie down, or turn around, but not so large that the animal can be battered around in rough weather. Most pet stores sell shipping crates in various sizes.

SHIPPING OF PETS CHECKLIST

• Your pet should become acclimated to the crate by having practice sessions. Be sure the pet has a comfortable pad to lie on and a few familiar toys. A leash should also be included inside the crate.
• Even if your pet is microchipped, put identification tags that include an emergency phone number on your pet's collar.
• Print your name and destination address clearly on the shipping crate. Include your pet's name so that attendants can talk to him. If your pet has special needs or habits (bites or growls at strangers) include that information. You might want to list this information in other languages as well. In case your pet gets lost or needs to be identified, you should carry a photo with you.
• Feed your pet a very light meal about six hours before shipping. Give water up until two hours before departure. A water dish attached to the the crate should be provided. The water dish should be conveniently located so an attendant can provide water at stopovers without being bitten. Send dry food along if the trip is long. If you send canned food, fasten an opener and dish to the crate in a cloth or mesh bag with feeding instructions clearly marked on the crate.
• Do not tranquilize your pet without your veterinarian's approval. A tranquilized pet can injure himself more easily than a non-tranquilized animal.
• Exercise your pet just before shipping.
• If your pet is traveling with you, make sure you have a decent amount of time between connecting flights. This way, it's more likely that he is going to be transfered to your connecting flight.
• If there is a delay, the airline may kennel the pets. Some airlines have kennel facilities while other do not. State on your airway bill that your animal is to be taken to the animal port if there is a delay or stopover.
• Arrange to have your pet picked up immediately upon arrival. Airline facilities for pets may be limited or nonexistent.