October 2008 News Letter
Fall is officially here. Pumpkins are out, costumes are in the
stores, leaves are turning, and hopefully, cooler weather is coming. Apple
cider, candied apples, fresh apples and Halloween candies are on the shelves. I
love the fall season with all the sights and aromas.
October is the "Adopt a Pet Month". I hope you enjoy this issue with tips and
information you may need if you are thinking of adopting, or purchasing a pet.
All of us at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital want to thank anyone who has
adopted a pet, rescued a stray, or took the neighborhood stray to be
spayed/neutered.
Adopting a pet:
To adopt or not to adopt: That is the
question. Adopting any pet is a huge responsibility, definitely not one to be
taken lightly. Choosing what to adopt is the first challenge. Dogs require
more care due to the housebreaking, exercising, attention, training and home
alone factors. Cats, on the other hand, are more self-sufficient as far as
training, house breaking and the home alone areas. For instance, if you work
long hours, or are gone overnight, a dog can't be expected to hold his bladder
or bowel movement for an extended length of time. Cats have access to their
litter pan during longer periods of time. Both cats and dogs require and
deserve attention. There are several questions to ask yourself:
1. Can I afford a pet?
2. Do I have space to accommodate a pet?
3. Do I have the time to share with a pet?
4. Am I getting a pet for the right reason?
5. Does anyone in the household have allergies to pets
6. What type of pet suits my needs and wants?
7. Can my children care for a pet?
8. What size pet will my residence allow?
9. Should I adopt or purchase a pet?
10. What pet best fits in with my schedule and life style?
If adoption is suitable for you, there are many shelters, humane societies
and rescue organizations to chose from. Many of the pets in these places are
victims of circumstances: people moving into a place that doesn't allow pets,
owners have passed away or can longer care for them financially or physically,
households where an owner or child is allergic, pets that ran away and can't
find their way home, or were purchased in haste, only to have their owners
decide, too late, that it was not the right choice for their lifestyle or
residence. A pet that you purchase or adopt will need an exam by your
veterinarian. Vaccinations should be given yearly, heart worm prevention should
be given year round, fecal checks should be done every six months, and money
should be set aside for emergencies. This is not a decision to be made on the
spur of the moment but rather one to be thought out completely and discussed
with all family members.
What kind of
a pet is this?
There are a
number of pets that can be suitable for you. Our veterinary hospital treats
many of the exotic pets. Some of these pets are pocket pets and are easier to
house and take care of than their larger counter parts. For instance, we treat
the following pets in our hospital:
Sugar gliders, snakes, hedge hogs, chinchillas, bearded dragons, rats,
chameleons, geckos, other lizards, degus, ferrets, birds, rabbits, gerbils,
hamsters, and guinea pigs to name a few.
If you are interested in adopting any of the above pets, make sure you
investigate what type of housing and care they require, and if the pet is
suitable for a child. These pets require the right amount of attention and care
as do any pet that you adopt or purchase.
Cat or Kitten:
Advantages:
Cats- They have reached their full size, their adult hair coat is
in, they are usually litter box trained, and not as active as a kitten
Kitten- They are high energy, young, adaptable, and basically a
clean slate, cute and can adapt to your lifestyle.
Disadvantages
Cats-
They may have behavioral issues, may
take longer to bond with family and other pets in the home
Kittens- They have not grown their adult hair coats, nonstop energy,
(especially at night), destruction of plants, furniture and carpets, not to
mention your hands, arms, legs and toes, and their teeth are a lot like razors.
Dog or Puppy:
Advantages:
Dog- They have grown into their size and hair coats, may be
housebroken, calmer, usually anxious for attention.
Puppy- They are cute, more playful, can learn and grow in your life
and life style.
Disadvantages
Dog- They may
have already established bad habits, or characteristics, may or may not get
along with other people or pets
Puppy- Hard to be sure of the size or the hair coat, unable to
detect any problems such as allergies, ear infections, etc.
Pet Tips
1. Know that you can
afford a pet
2. Check the shelter's or breeder's policies and conditions
3. Know the type of pet for your life style
4. Prepare your home for a pet
5. Talk to your family about pet care responsibilities
6. Decide before hand whether an adult or younger pet is best for you and
your family
7. Take your family with you to pick out your pet
8. Check to see if the pet has been vaccinated, spayed, neutered, on any
medication, de-wormed, and if it has any behavioral problems that have been
noticed by the shelter.
Pet Adoption
House rules- : determine how the pet will be cared for-
the consistency of training, feeding, and exercising- who will be the main
person responsible for these chores- where the pet will sleep
Supplies- :
food, dishes, crate, bed, treats, toys, leash
and collar, grooming supplies, dog house, litter pan, scratching posts, litter
When- : when are you going
to be home for a few days to implement feeding schedules, potty breaks, play
times etc.
In case of- : emergency kit- including tweezers, gloves,
bandage, peroxide, antibiotic ointment, benedryl, alcohol, veterinary and
emergency directions, hours and numbers
History- : know
which vaccines were given and the date- when the next vaccines is due- medical
history- personality traits if known- date of de-worming, neuter, spay or other
medical procedures
Vet care- :
take your new pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible- bring a fecal check
to be made aware of any parasites present- take the vaccination records with
you- if intact, discuss procedures for spays or neuters- talk to your
veterinarian about micro-chipping- test for heart worms- if it's a cat or
kitten, test for feline leukemia and feline aides- a puppy or dog should be put
on heart worm preventatives
Introduction-
: Should be done slowly and carefully- introduce to family and other pets-
sometimes takes several days for the pet and other pet or pets to accept each
other- make sure an adult is present during the introduction
Animals go to school
According to a study in the United Kingdom, children are more attentive and
responsive when there is a live animal in the classroom such as a dog or cat.
Pet-owning children spend more time in class at school than children which do
not own a pet.
The study found that by introducing animals into the schools, there is a range
of educational benefits. A pet in the school: helps motivate students to learn
and think, encourage respect for living things, develop a sense of empathy and
responsibility, learn to nurture, care for and love all life, encourage the
development of hobbies and potential careers in animal care, and last but
certainly not least, improve academic achievement.
Please remember that there are
many pets that need homes. The shelters and humane societies are full and many
pets, that could be the perfect pet for you, are getting euthanized every day.
Pets can bring such joy to your life and unconditional love to your family.
Last month in the news letter I touched on some of the ways that animals
contribute to our good health. Reducing stress and the chance of heart attacks
are just a couple of the ways that a pet can benefit you. Giving them a new
lease on life and a loving home is a great way to benefit them.
Did you Know?
With gas prices so high, we wanted our clients to be aware of some
services that might make things a little easier. If your pet needs a medication
refilled we can mail the medication to you. We understand that many of our
clients live further away, and driving into our hospital, might not be
convenient or affordable to you. We can take payment over the phone and mail
the medication usually the same day. All medications need to be approved by a
veterinarian before dispensing and the pet has to have been seen by a
veterinarian within a year.