Pets are very vulnerable, as humans are, when they need to acclimate to a new environment.  When deciding to relocate or change homes, it is very important to consider pets.  Many pets are much too large to fit under the airplane seat and there have been many horror stories about pets flying as cargo; so many cross country movers will decide to make extended road trips.

Here are tips to consider when moving within your pets.

1. The first thing to start with is a trip to the vet.  Once you move it may be difficult to schedule your pet’s checkup and you certainly want to be sure that your pet is up to date on vaccinations.   Stress is something that arises frequently while transporting pets.  If your pets are harboring any parasites, this is the time they will take advantage of a weak immune system.  Another important thing to carry with you is your pet’s interstate health certificate.  This is required to transport pets across state lines.  This is something you can acquire from your veterinarian as well.
2. Plastic bags filled with single servings of kibble during lengthy car rides will alleviate being stuck with a hungry pooch.  You want to make sure to feed your pet regularly to avoid stomach issues. 
3. Vetrinarian.com is a great resource in case you need to make an emergency pit stop.  This site, list members of the American Veterinary Medical Association as well as the emergency clinics arranged by city, state or zip code.
4. Potty breaks and walk breaks are very important.  Plan to take your pets every three or four hours to go to the bathroom and don’t forget the poop bags.  Walking breaks should be planned every 8 hours.
5. Cats are very elastic creatures.  Be aware and mindful of cat-aggressive dogs at rest stops and make sure to use a harness, and not just a collar and a leash.
6. Speaking of leashes- Make sure your pet is on the end of a sturdy one!  Every leash should be complete with up-to-date tags. This is an inexpensive way to recover lost pets. Microchips offer even more insurance.  This is recommended when going across state lines.
7. MAKE PLANS beforehand when deciding what hotels you will be staying in. Look into petswelcome.com and bringfido.com, which list hotels that accept multiple pets, including exotic animals.  It is a smart idea to map out a few locations before you embark on your move.
8. On moving day try and keep your pets away from the hustle and bustle. This will avoid leaving your pets subject to a lot of open windows and doors. During this time turn a bathroom or spare room into your pet’s space.   Make sure the space is complete with food, water and litter boxes.
9. Before letting your pets roam free, it is suggested to take your animal on a tour of the backyard. This is when it is important to look for gaps and holes in the fence line.  Keep a heavy eye on your animals for some time to make sure there is no way they can get out. 

Resource:  http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/02/living/how-to-safely-move-with-pets-mnn/index.html?iref=allsearch&is_LR=1

Pets are sometimes one of the most important parts of one’s family.  A recent study reported that taking pets to the vet cost owners $505 last year.  This number is predicted to keep owners from watching their pet’s health.  The cost of the veterinarian is estimated to be an obstacle for a third of those who did not visit the vet.  When a pet has a serious health problem; the cost of health care can sometimes exceed $1000 on average.

According the AP-Petside.com poll, most pet owners have faith in what their veterinarian suggests and recommends.  Overall, 52 percent say vets do not often recommend excessive treatment, 26 percent say that happens moderately often, and 17 percent said extremely or very often.  Among those who did not take their pets to the vet last year, over 50 percent say they only take their pets to the vet “when they are really sick” and a third of the respondents say they can’t afford it all.

This raises the issue of how much is too much?  One pet owner said it would depend on the severity of the health problem, whether to let them go or not.  According to the poll, dog owners were more likely to take their animal to the vet versus cat owners.  Dog owners, however, spent less than cat owners.

It is no secret that pet owners are having trouble affording the veterinary care they need.  How can we save money, so our loved ones don’t miss out on the health care they need?  No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach, so it is important to locate resources such as financial aid and to learn the steps that are needed to cover an emergency vet bill.

Unfortunately, depending on the severity of your pet’s illness or injury, you may still lose your pet even after the great expense.  Discuss the prognosis and treatment plan with your veterinarian, including whether surgery or treatment will preserve your companion’s quality of life, or if it will only cause or prolong more discomfort.  If you decide to go forth with treatments or surgeries, work with your veterinarian to be proactive.  These options include:

1. Negotiate a payment plan with your vet. If you a client with good standing she may be able to work out a weekly or monthly plan, so that you don’t have the entire cost to bear in the beginning.  Potentially, you can perform services for payment, such as cleaning the kennels, answering phones or other work. 
2. Use a vet in a less expensive area. Vets in smaller towns tend to charge lower fees.  Local veterinary schools may run low-cost clinics for limited income clients.
3. Pet Health Insurance. It may not help in the current crisis but considering pet health insurance will aid in future medical need
4. Consider dog breed-specific veterinary care assistance programs

• CorgiAid: corgiaid.org
• Special Needs Dobermans: doberman911.org
• Dougal’s Helping Paw (Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and other small, short-legged terriers): http://www.welcome.to/dougalsfund
• Labrador Harbor: labradorharbor.org/
• Labmed: labmed.org
• Labrador Lifeline: labradorlifeline.org
• Westimed (West Highland White Terriers): westiemed.org
• Pyramedic Trust (Great Pyrenees): http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/pyramedic/summary.html

For More Information visit the following sites:

http://www.gopetplan.com/default.aspx

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html

http://www.aahanet.org/

Article Resources: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/pets-vet-cost-owners-505-year-cost-owners-watching-pet-health-article-1.984073

Add your pet to that “To-Do” list this September!

September is a time to think about kids going back to school, the work year ahead and of course ever evolving routines.  Something we don’t want you to forget this September, while sending your kids off to college and bringing your summer fun to an end, is your pets.  Pets are greatly affected by empty nest syndrome as much as parents can be! 

Did you know that at least one in 6 dogs, along with countless number of cats, will exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety or display increased levels if they are already prone to the condition?  Interaction is good for pets and they enjoy it.  When back to school time comes, animals that are used to this interaction can become unglued, especially if their best human friend in the household happens to be one of the kids and suddenly that person “disappears” and goes off to another daily routine.

Your dog may experience the effects of the loss of extra playtime and the friendship developed with your children by exhibiting signs of separation through destructive behaviors such as:

• Chewing furniture
• Ripping the stuffing out of pillows
• Shredding paper
• Obsessive barking/whining for extended periods of time
• House soiling

Exercise is a great fix recommended by veterinarians.  Make sure your dog has enough exercise a day of outdoor cardio vascular activity.   Cats will benefit from between 30-40 minutes of exercise a day prompted by chasing laser beams, interaction with wand-type toys and a variety of battery-operated activities that hone their hunting skills and give both mental and physical enrichment.

Things that can also keep your pet busy are attention grabber distractions.  You could set up a fish tank which would provide hours of fun and also leave the radio on for entertainment.  A bird feeder outside a window is a very economic friendly way to distract your animals as well.

Separation anxiety is a serious condition that may affect your animals.  Never punish your dog for exhibiting less than favorable behavior.  Be patient because you do not want to make them more aggressive.  Doggy daycare is another option to consider, even if it’s once or twice a week.  Enriching your pet’s home environment once everyone goes back to school takes little effort but creates a smoother transition for them.

Resource: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44427516/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/

Pets are very loveable and cute but it is important to understand what is involved with taking care of that cute cuddly creature before you take it home.  It is a wonderful trait to want to provide a home for an unwanted pet, but there are just a few things to think about and plan for when you bring a new family member into your home.

When taking a new pet home it is important to think before you act.  Animals grow into adults in a very short amount of time.  Will taking home a pet fit your lifestyle and other lifestyles of those you live with?  Will you arrange to have your pet sprayed or neutered?  Taking home a pet is a big responsibility and you have to be prepared to provide proper care including house training, daily feed and watering, and veterinary care.

Here are some great tips to guide you on your way!

1. Have your pet examined as soon as possible.   This is something that is extra important if you already have a pet at home.  It will decrease the chance of transmitting disease.   While you take your pet to be examined also create a schedule for their vaccinations.
2. Socialization!  We all like to socialize, right?  Be patient when you start socializing your pets, especially to other pets you may have at home.  In the beginning, briefly interact with the new pet.  If there is an aggression from either pet; just separate them.  Never punish either pet.  Time will take care of this for you.
3. Good nutrition is the key to any diet, even for pets!  Buy the best pet food.  They come in a wide variety of brands and styles.  Consult with your vet for the proper diet for proper nutrition.  Key advice for nutrition is to 1) never feed your pet human food 2) provide plenty of clean, fresh water at all times and 3) wash out your pets food and water dishes.
4. Exercise creates muscle development, energy, and improves cardiovascular health.  It gets them out of the house and reduces boredom.  When they are less bored, they are less likely to chew shoes, furniture, and other household items.
5. Lastly, house training is something that you must be patient with.  Kittens are easy but dogs will require a little more time.  Talk to your veterinarian about using a crate or other methods.  Most puppies need to go to the bathroom a few minutes after they eat or upon walking up from a nap. Never discipline a dog if you do not catch them in the act.  They WILL NOT understand. When a pet goes in the appropriate area it is your turn to praise them and pet them.  Your pet will start to have tell-tale body signs when they need to go, be observant of these.

Resource:  cherokeeanimalclinic.com

If you want to find out more about adopting pets, please visit the following sites:

www.bestfriends.org/

www.pspca.org/

www.aspca.org/

 The third week in March is Poison Prevention Week.  It is important to know your pets can be poisoned from things other than household cleaning items.  Your dog loves to be in the kitchen and around the dinner table, hoping for a little bite of your dinner.  What you may not know is that those little bites can be harmful to your pet.  Like humans, dogs have sensitive stomachs to certain foods.  For example, chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts all contain chemicals that rarely cause trouble in humans.  These chemicals, however, can be toxic to dogs and some cats, too. 

Chocolate, coffee and tea contain caffeine which can affect the heart and nervous systems.  A lethal dose of caffeine is 150mg/kg body weight, and regular instant coffee contains over 60mg caffeine per teaspoon.  Chocolate is also a concern because it takes only 2 ounces of baking chocolate to poison a dog.  Grapes contain an unknown toxin that can cause kidney damage after only 5 grapes.  Be sure to keep these food items out of reach of your pets and to monitor what they eat.  Nutrition is as much an important part of your pet’s life as it is your own.  Be sure to talk to your pet’s veterinarian about their nutritional needs at their next checkup.

http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?Story_No=257

February 2011

Secondhand smoke is a well-known issue that has been addressed countless times.  Smoking has been banned in many places in order to be fair to those who do not smoke.  What many people often don’t think about, however, is that while other people are affected by secondhand smoke, so are our pets.

Plenty of scientific evidence shows that secondhand cigarette smoke can cause cancer in pets, and when you think of it you immediately envision your pet inhaling your secondhand smoke.  That is exactly what happens… and then some.  Pets not only breathe in smoke, but smoke particles also get trapped in their fur.  Subsequently, the smoke particles are ingested when your pet grooms himself.

An alarming number of 60% of dogs have a greater risk of getting lung cancer living in a smoking household.  Furthermore, long-nosed dogs such as collies or greyhounds are twice as likely to develop nasal cancer when living with smokers. 

In addition to dogs, it has been shown that cats are three times more likely to develop lymphoma, the most common feline cancer, when their owners subject them to secondhand smoke.Your pet can be your best friend and your most loyal companion.  While your human friends are able to vocalize their disapproval of inhaling your secondhand smoke, your four-legged companions aren’t so lucky.  So be thoughtful and treat your pet how you would any other friend by not smoking around them.  Or better yet, to benefit you and your pet – kick the habit altogether!

http://www.smokefreesociety.org/newsclip/Pets-1.html

Diabetes and Your Pet

Just as with humans, diabetes can be a difficult problem to diagnose in pets.  Often times, animals with diabetes are not diagnosed until they exhibit outwards signs such as urinary problems.  Similarly in humans, diabetes in pets can exist in several different forms.  Cats often times have a transient form of the disease (known as insulin resistance) in which the pancreas produces insulin but the body does not respond properly.  Another form results from an insulin deficiency as seen in most diabetic dogs.  This form of diabetes is primarily genetic and a lack of insulin production and secretion by the pancreas.  (Insulin is used by the body to help absorb glucose and use it for energy.)

Significant changes in urination could be a tell-tale sign that your pet has diabetes.  When glucose in the blood rises to high levels, excess glucose spills into the urine and causes your pet to urinate more frequently.  This can lead to severe hydration.  Another symptom of diabetes is weight loss.  Since your pet’s body is not efficiently using its glucose, the body turns to its stored fat as its main source of energy. 

One way to treat your pet’s diabetes is insulin injections.  Another theory is to implement a low-carbohydrate diet.  This is proven to benefit humans with diabetes, but research is still in progress to see if our pets can reap the same benefits.

In any event, keeping an eye on your pet’s habits and behaviors is the best way to keep them healthy.  Don’t let them down!

For More Information: http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=512 (Retrieved 11 May 2010)

Arthritis and Your Pet

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, and it is important to remember that your pet can also suffer from this disease.   Arthritis is a problem affecting over 12 million dogs.  Although it is not uncommon for dogs to slow down slightly with age, it is important not to ignore the early signs of arthritis in your pet.  These signs can include: hesitation to go upstairs, lagging behind or tiring easily during walks, preferring to lie down rather than to sit or stand, seemingly stiff legs (particularly after resting), and whimpering or growling when touched.  It is important to pay careful attention to these signs and symptoms, even when your parent doesn’t seemed bothered.  This is because dogs often do not clearly indicate pain until it becomes severe.

Unfortunately, joint issues in your pet cannot be cured.  If your pet seems to respond to treatment don’t hesitate to celebrate, but remember it is imperative to continue treatment to ensure the continuance of his or her comfort. For best results, try a treatment plan that combines several different options.

You can help your pet’s veterinarian in diagnosing joint issues by printing off and filling out the Joint Health Warning Signs Checklist, which can be found at http://dogtime.com/help-your-vet-understand-your-dog.html.            

Remember, arthritis in pets is irreversible.  To prevent the progression of joint issues there are a few simple things you can do to help your little rascal, like: keep them active, watch their weight, and raise their food bowl to reduce neck strain.  These small measures will be worth it to keep your friend as comfortable as possible!

Understanding Arthritis in Dogs: http://www.treatdogarthritis.com/multimodal/treat-dog-arthritis-home.html (Retrieved 11 May 2010)