MARCH 2009 NEWS LETTER


 
Spring is coming.  I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the flowers to start coming up, the trees start budding, and the grass begins to turn green.  The spring makes you think of  new beginnings. Allergy suffers  often have more trouble this time of year.  It is also the time many of us start our spring cleaning regiments.  When you have pets, it is a bigger job than normal.  I tired to add some helpful hints on cleaning this month.


Foreclosures and Pets

With the economy in a tailspin, many people are losing their homes to foreclosures.  Many of the places they are moving into, aren't pet friendly.  Where are the pets going?  Shelters are full and rescues are working overtime.  There is a new foundation that has been developed to assist people in these circumstances:   www.lostourhome.org It is important not to wait to the last minute to try to find a solutions, but maybe this organization can help.  There are many pets being left at the empty houses or freed to roam the neighborhoods without food, water or shelter.


Spring Cleaning:

Have pets? Then you have pet hair.  All of us with pets know what is to see hair balls floating under beds or down the halls.  When our pet shakes, we see the hair flying in every direction.  Friends know that if there is a hair in the food, it is the 4 legged friend's.  They are pet lovers.  Oh, the things we put up with.  Cleaning is constant and sometimes to no avail.  We dust, sweep, wipe surfaces and comb our pets to keep the hair problems down to a minimum.  Many of the products used for cleaning can be harmful to our pets.  Please read the labels carefully and follow the directions.  Remember, your pets are walking on the carpets, floors and grass, and coming inside and licking their paws or even going as far as to lick something off the floor that has spilled.  It is important to use pet safe products in the house as well as on their bedding and out in the yard.  Many of our pets share our beds so don't neglect to freshen and clean the bedding.  Shake out the comforter and sheets, take them to the dry cleaners or put them in the dryer with several fabric softener sheets to loosen the pet hair.  Wipe all the walls and don't forget to dust the mini blinds, vacuum the drapes and clean the fan blades.  Remember throw pillows also harbor pet odors and hair.  Read the care instructions on their labels, but many can be fluffed in the dryer with fabric softener sheets.  If your pet has a special place in the house where they eat and sleep, pay special attention to this area.  Clean up under food matts and always make sure food and water bowls are clean and fresh.  Always pick up any spilled foods as this is the time for ants and other insects to come into the house and they can be very difficult to get rid of.  Your outside dog kennels and houses need a thorough cleaning as well.  Many can be taken to the car wash and sprayed with the pressure sprayer.  Make sure the house is rinsed well and dried completely before letting your pet back inside. No matter what you are cleaning, be sure to use pet safe cleaners and disinfectants and rinse well.

Don't Chew That
Destructive chewing can be a dog owners biggest headache.  What can you do about the problem?  Puppies mainly chew because they are teething, but adult chewers indicate different issues. A dog that is often left alone or inactive may chew out of boredom. Behaviorists recommend exercise and stimulation throughout the day to reduce this type of chewing behavior.
There are many different avenues to take to stimulate your pet, outdoor agility classes, regular walks, interactive puzzles, and Kong toys with hidden treats.  Separation is another reason for a pet to chew.  They are generally stressed at being left alone and chew to calm themselves. Your veterinarian may have some information to help you with this problem.  Scent another reason for excessive chewing.  Dogs usually chew things with strong scents such as laundry and shoes.  Children's toys are another thing that is chewed quite frequently due to the smell or taste of juice, cookies or milk on the toys.  Always make sure that your laundry is out of reach, shoes are put up and that childrens' toys are cleaned thoroughly.  This can prevent or reduce the chance of chewing.  If you are unsure why your pet chews, keep a log, of the weather, whether or not someone is home at the time, family routine, or anything else relevant to the day the chewing takes place.  Often owners don't realize that there is a trigger to the dog's chewing, until they start to keep track.  Chewing can lead to more serious problems.  If something is ingested, it may cause a blockage that will have to be removed with surgery procedures.  Many veterinarians have removed items such as: socks, rope fragments, children's toys, plastic caps, Legos, stuffing from toys, under garments, stones, coins, and other objects that some of you would least expect.  These items and items like these can cause serious harm to your pet.  Whether your pet is a chewer or not, if he has problems with vomiting, straining to defecate, swollen abdomen, etc, call your veterinarian immediately.  Many times a barium series need to be performed to see an object in the stomach or intestine.  The barium is a contrast formula that adheres to an object to make it more visible on an x-ray.  Several x-rays are taken to track the barium in the system and observe any abnormalities that are visible.  The toxicity of many objects, as the stomach acids try to break it down, is as serious as the object itself.  If you fear that your pet has ingested something harmful, it is best to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.  If you pet has chewed something toxic, save the wrapper, if possible, and call either your veterinarian or poison control to know what actions you can take at home, before taking your pet to the veterinarian.  Often it is necessary to make your pet vomit and other times vomiting is not an option.
Poison Control Center (Vanderbilt Human)--  615-322-6435
Pet Poison Hotline--  1-800-213-6680

Coo-Coo for Catnip  

Approximately 30 percent of adult cats show zero to minimum response to catnip, while 70 percent love the stuff.  When cats are given catnip, their response lasts about 5 to 15 minutes.  They purr, they rub and they roll. These are all signs of enjoyment. After this they have a type of satiation that occurs and they can't be evoked again for at least an hour or two.  Like anything else, catnip should be used sparingly and if your cat hasn't experienced it before, they should be observed.  Sometimes a cat reacts adversely to the stimulant.

Help for the Sniffling and Sneezing of Pet Allergies      

 1.     Replace Carpeting - ridding your home of wall-to-wall carpeting is one of the best ways to help with the allergies.  Carpeting traps the dust, hair, spores and mites that cause allergic reactions.

2.     Replace curtains - Curtains or drapes are one of the largest allergen attractants in your home.  If you want to use drapes or curtains, make sure they are washable or can be put in the dryer to remove some of the hair, dust, etc.

3.     Upgrade furniture - Plush soft furniture is a magnet for dust mites and pet hair.  Often it is hard to clean.  You can use furniture covers that can be removed and laundered.

4.     Vacuum - Central vacuum systems are the best, but now there are several vacuums with special features for the pet lovers.  It is best to research your options.

5.     Goodbye Wallpaper - Old wallpaper can trap allergens and molds.                      

6.     Seal Doors and Windows - Many allergens are coming from the outside.  Sealing and caulking can reduce the chances of the allergens entering the home.

7.     Filter the Air - There are many systems on the market that can help filter the air.  Many are portable (HEPA) filters and there are some that can piggyback onto your existing air conditioning unit.

8.     Create a Cat Free Zone - Since many people spend half their time in the bedroom, you can make that area a cat free zone by not allowing your cat into that room, and you can put a portable Hepa filter in the room to help control allergies.

9.     Build an Outdoor Enclosure - Having an outdoor sanctuary is a great place for your cat and lets you both enjoy the fresh air and play time together.

10. - Groom Outside or in the Garage - Brushing your cat every day can go a long way to reduce allergies.  Grooming your cat in an area that is enclosed, and  out of the mainstream is a much better way to control allergies, then to brush inside where the allergens are released into the air.
 
All of these suggestions can be helpful in eliminating some of the allergens in your home.  I know some of the options are extreme, but for many with allergies, the allergic effects are miserable.  If there is an allergic person in your home environment, then try some or all of the options to see if they curtail some of the allergic reactions.


Tidbits

Here is a fun fact:

  Isn't this a nice thing to know, and it shows in the care and compassion that your veterinarian shows to you family pet.  At Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital, we make it our promise to treat you and your pet competently and compassionately.  We try to allow extra time for those patients that require it.  We offer many procedures and diagnostic tools to assist in the diagnosis of your pet's problems.   Please call 615-361-4646 if you have any issues with your pet that we can assist you with.

Pet Insurance

We recently acquired information about a new pet insurance company.  The American Veterinary Medical Association highly recommended Pets Best Insurance.  If you would like more information on this insurance, you can check out their web site.   www.petsbest.com
We were very impressed with their presentation and information.  Pet insurance can make a big difference in having your pet treated or not.  You may not need the assistance when they are young, but as a pet ages, problems can occur, and you never know when an emergency will happen even to a younger pet.  If insurance is on board, the financial burden is much lighter and affordable, in most cases.  You can also find their web site on our web site:  www.priestlakevet.com.


 
Staff News

Dr. McCollum, Dr. Ollis, Sherri, and Becky attended the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association Conference, the 27th of February through the 1st of March.  I am sure they will be sharing their new found information with the rest of us at this month's staff meeting. It is always enlightening to hear about their newly discovered knowledge.

At the time of this news letter, Megan and Shane have not had their baby yet, but the time is getting close.