Local Value Veterinary

Category: Dogs

  • 5 Important Questions For Your Vet

    5 Important Questions For Your Vet

    We urge all pet owners to take their companions to the vet but most importantly, to learn how to ask the right questions. Here are five of these vital inquiries.

    1. Is my pet at a healthy weight?

    Human obesity might have the most cases, but pet obesity is just as dangerous to your little helper just as former. Your pet will only add weight if you overfeed it or present it with a poor diet. As such, you need to be stronger when your pet gives you those round, pleading eyes or sagging ears with a sad face in the hope of a slice of bacon.
    Not to mention, you also need to exercise with your pet every once in a while. For starters, dogs require about thirty minutes of exercise every day. Ask us about the ideal weight for your pet and how much food should they be given. If your pet is overweight, ask us about an exercise and diet program but remember to follow it to the letter.

    2. There’s this one thing my pet does that annoys me…

    What most people would think is a behavioral issue in their pets could escalate into a serious problem at any moment. As such, do not shy away from asking us about a particular observation regarding your pet’s behavior. A little barking today can turn into an aggravated assault on a neighbor or your couch if your pet is not examined.
    Never be afraid to ask us such a question considering even us as humans are always trying to change a thing or two in our behavior. Nipping such a problem in its early stages is key to ensuring little to no future, deep-rooted problems.

    3. Is parasite protection medication necessary for my pet?

    Regardless of your location, preventative drugs that aid your pet in fighting off parasitic infections are vital. Parasites such as heartworm are rampant can lead to chronic conditions such as lung disease and heart failure just to mention a few. Not to mention, there are other parasites such as nematode worms that not only affect your pet but people as well.
    This parasite can even cause blindness in children if the latter comes to contact with nematode larvae. As such, we advise you to consult us regarding the best parasitical drugs for your pet, and we’ll offer the best solution depending on your home area and the parasites that are most common.

    4. Does my pet need a blood test?

    The answer to this question is a big yes. We understand this might be uncomfortable for some people as well as their pets but blood samples are vital for us seeing we use them to screen for many diseases including liver disease, cancer, and diabetes just to mention a few.

    5. Do you offer emergency care on weekends and holidays?

    Unexpected events are bound to occur every once in a while in our lives and those of our treasured pets, but some situations leave pet owners helpless. Ask us about our weekend and public holiday policy to ensure your pet doesn’t endure excruciating pain for hours on end before they receive proper treatment.

    Conclusion

    While you’re at it, don’t forget to inquire about the methods of payment and an insurance plan for your pet. Also, ask us about the vaccines your pets need and the necessity of each of them to help keep your pet healthy.
     
  • How to Celebrate the New Year with Your Pet

    How to Celebrate the New Year with Your Pet

    Pets might not be able to speak, but they express their joy in an easily understandable manner. A dog will bark and wag its tail while running uncontrollably while a cat will purr and walk away feeling like the winner in that given situation. On a serious note, as most vets say, the emotional welfare of your pet is as equally important as its physical well-being.

    Your Pet And The New Year

    Here are some of the ways you can make this New Year’s a memorable one for your pet.

    1. Playdate
      Just as we enjoy the company of a friend or a neighbor ever once in a while, so do our pets when they see their fellow species. However, not all pets will be friendly with each other, so make sure they are compatible. Don’t ask your friend who owns a lizard to come over for some pet bonding if your pet is a spider.
    2. Out with the Old, in with the New
      Do you see the excitement on a child’s face when you hand them a new toy? The same feeling is felt by our pets whenever we decide to buy them something new. However, too many old toys do not help with growth or new experiences. Clean out the old toys and make space for the new ones as you usher in the New Year with your pet.
    3. Make Resolutions Together
      Instead of making self-centered resolutions this coming year, include your pet in your plans. Heck, you can sit down and drink some milk while asking for their opinion. While they might not respond verbally, they will surely be excited by the idea of a road trip to the countryside in February.
    4. Exercise
      While it may be a celebration in itself, the New Year is the beginning of another cycle. Use New Year’s Eve as the time to get some exercise with your pet so that you g plenty of rest at night. Not to mention, it is also the ideal time to shed off all the Christmas holiday weight.

    SOURCES: Adopt A Pet, Pet Health Network, Pet Guide   
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • A Look at a Dog’s Common Health Warning Signs

    A Look at a Dog’s Common Health Warning Signs

    Your dog can be your jogging mate in the morning before you leave for work but they also play a crucial role in your children’s upbringing by acting as play partners. Dogs are also known to sometimes sleep for hours, but unlike cats, their sleeping tendencies are not as elongated. In fact, extraordinarily long naps can be an indication that something is wrong with your dog. Aside from that tell-tail sign, dogs can neither talk nor show a lot of physical giveaways. Still, you might never know what a simple sneeze or a seemingly simple sprain might signify. As such, it is vital to stay updated on the ways that you use to gain a better understanding of your dog’s health.

    Here are 5 of the easiest-to-read health warning signs from your dog.

    1. Vomiting
      As far as dogs go, vomiting is as healthy as eating their vomit. They often vomit to get rid of something in their digestive systems although there are instances that require immediate medical attention. These include when your dog vomits several times in a row, starts vomiting blood, or has a fever accompanying the dog’s unsettled stomach. In some cases, the vomiting often lead to diarrhea and dehydration.
    2. Sudden Weight Loss
      Even after the holidays when everyone including the dog is trying to shed the weight they accumulated, sudden weight loss is a red flag. While it is normal for an overweight dog to lose weight, anything more than ten percent of its mass could indicate a more severe underlying health condition.
    3. Red or Cloudy Eyes
      Ever wondered why doctors shine a torch on your eyes when you go for a checkup? Well, your eyes can tell a lot about your overall wellbeing. Similarly, a dog’s eyes can be of great help when determining their health. Be on the lookout for red or cloddy eyes especially if they are followed by an excessive squinty discharge.
    4. Overheating
      I bet by now you are surprised by the similarities between the symptoms of sickness there are in human beings are there are in dogs. As one of them, overheating can lead to difficulties in breathing in dogs due to their facial outlook. However, while this needs to be facilitated by external factors such a hot car interior, internal overheating or fever should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention.
    5. Sensitivity to Touch
      Most dogs have been separated from their families after an unexpected, rough touch triggered a natural and violent reaction due to pain. Dogs are never sensitive to touch.  If anything they like being touched just as much as they like licking your face. As such, sensitivity to touch can mean inflammation, gastric torsion, or bloat. This sign is easy to read especially for people who own dogs that love rolling around for a belly rub every time they walk into a room.

    Other tell-tale signs include lumps on the dog’s body, scooting ears, an unusual appetite, and excessive thirst.

    SOURCES: Petful, Health Line

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

     

     

  • Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

    Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

    If your pet runs around on grass all day, you may have the job of trimming their nails on a regular basis. Dogs who are taken for a walk on pavements, for instance, won’t necessarily have this problem as their nails are constantly filed down.

    Avoid Making your Pet Jittery

    Of course, you can do the job yourself, but most people are a bit nervous doing it, fearing that they can accidentally clip in the wrong way and cause their pet anguish. As it is, the pink area of the nail is the live part which actually has blood vessels and which is known as the quick. 

    Trimming in the wrong way can make the dog nervous and jittery, and most of our clients simply prefer to bring their pets into our office where we do it expertly, causing your pet as little trauma as possible. 

    Trimming included with Grooming

    Clipping the nails after bathing can help with the hardness issue, as they nails become softer.  When the nails haven’t been clipped for a while and where the nails are long, they can touch the ground, hooking on- and getting caught in anything. 

    Nail trimming and grooming needn’t be something your pet fears.  The best way to handle it to simply bring your pet into us, as we are trained in the proper techniques and we have all the best dog grooming instruments to make short work of it. We’ve got a number of different nail trimmers which suit different dog sizes. We alternate between nail clippers for small breeds, pliers-style nail clippers for larger breeds as well as a scissors-type nail clipper.

    We know too well that blunt trimmers will just split your pet’s nail. Sometimes if the nails aren’t too long we can just file them down to the desired length. We’ve got what is known as a Dremel, a type of grinding tool, which can be used to slowly file down the nails, which is safer than clipping. 

    We Put your Pet at Ease

    We always have some treats tucked away so that the nail trimming experience for your dog is just that much more positive. If on the rare occasion, we do cut a nail too short, we always have clotting powder or some other solution to stop the bleeding immediately. 

    Just like us, dogs won’t have to feel in the actual nail, but the quick has a nerve, and when trimming the nail, you want to be very careful to avoid the quick to spare your pet a lot of pain. Bring him into us, and we’ll make sure the nail trimming part of their grooming is something they have without fear.

    SOURCES: Pet Health Network

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Veterans Day And Pets

    Veterans Day And Pets

    Each veteran Day we recall the men and ladies who served our nation – but shouldn’t something be said about our canine veterans? Administration dogs are a necessary part of the U.S. military, doing everything from sniffing out bombs to helping veterans with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  We need to thank every one of our veterans for their support of our nation, regardless of whether on two legs or four.

    Dogs in the U.S. Military

    The United States military has utilized dogs the vast majority of its significant wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout the years, dogs have been detachments, unit mascots, and trackers of aggressors. All the more as of late, medication and bomb-sniffing canines have been a crucial piece of the military, alongside military police dogs.

    Treatment Dogs

    Late research has demonstrated that petting and playing with creatures can enormously lessen stress and sorrow. Veterans with the post-awful anxiety issue, or PTSD, are regularly combined with an administration dogs or treatment dogs. Troopers returning home from a tour can discover returning to regular citizen life difficult; having a furry close companion can make progress somewhat less demanding.

    Help a Veteran in Need

    Finding a canine sidekick for each veteran requires many resources. Giving, raising money, and supporting foundations that place pets with vets have not fulfilled the desired intention. Trooper’s Best Friend, Pets for Vets, Patriot Paws, Veterans Moving Forward, and Hero Dogs are part of the numerous philanthropies that give treatment and administration dogs to veterans.

    This Veterans Day, recollect each one of the veterans who has served our nation, regardless of whether on four legs or two.

    Pets enormously affect veterans when they return home, but can likewise be an imperative piece of an officer’s day. One courageous dog named Layka was working with Special Forces in Afghanistan and was dispatched to scan an operation for explosives. At the same time, she was trapped and shot numerous times by an assailant. In spite of her wounds, she could ensure her pack by attacking her enemy. Layka was granted an informal award to be recognized for her sacrifices. She is currently resting comfortably with her handler.

    SOURCES: Pets For Patriots

     

  • Caring for Your Senior Dog

    Caring for Your Senior Dog

    Our pets face common problems, from fear of baths to excessive excitement when they see their humans. Now that the National Senior Pet Month is just around the corner, it’s high time to get a short refresher course on how to care for your furry friends, especially if you have senior pets. Read on to learn about two common senior pet problems—matted fur and long nails, and how to handle them.

    Matted fur

    Matted fur is a sign of poor health. If your dog or cat does not feel well, he tends to stop grooming. Arthritic dogs and cats take less of an interest in grooming because doing so is painful. Other factors like nausea, poor teeth and gum conditions, even stress can contribute to the lack of grooming that results to matted fur.
     
    The first step in dealing with matted fur is to determine the underlying reason why grooming suddenly stopped. If your dog or cat stopped grooming because of bleeding gums or loose teeth, immediate dental attention is required. Stress and nausea can be determined by looking at changes in eating habits, vomiting, lack of energy, and weight loss. In cases like these, bringing your pet to us is the wisest thing you can do. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, you can handle the grooming routine yourself. Any unknown sources of body pain or soreness should be referred to the us.

    Long Nails

    Almost every dog hates having their nails clipped. Reactions range from mild irritation to outright terror once they see that the nail clippers are out. Long nails are problematic especially for senior dogs because they make walking difficult, affect posture, and acerbate joint problems like arthritis.
     
    Regular walks on rough surfaces like concrete can help keep your dogs’ nails short. You can also use nail trim mats around the house. These are mats with rough surfaces that file down the nails as your dog walks on them.
     
    However, the best thing you can do is to condition your dog to not be fearful of nail clippers. The best time to do this would be when your dog is still a puppy. If this is not possible, take time to introduce the clipper to your dog. Start with acclimating your dog to the sensation of having his paws handled. Make this pleasant by pairing with a good belly rub. Gradually introduce the clipper or grinder, making sure to look out for signs of stress so you know when to stop. Follow a pace that is comfortable for your dog. You can turn the grinder on if and when the dog does not show signs of stress. Do this consistently and you will start to see improvements on how your dog responds to nail clippers and having his nails clipped or ground.
     
    Our pets face a number of health issues that are easily preventable if you know how. Keep these tips in mind so you can handle pet problems like matted fur and long nails properly.
     
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value
     
     
  • Build Boundaries for your Dog

    Build Boundaries for your Dog

    It is vital to give your canine friend rules, limitations, and exceptions. Your dog ought to know what they can or cannot do, and where not to do it and, for how long, if they have to do it. Here’s a quick primer on how to socialize your dog by imparting the sense of boundaries in them. 

    1. Claim your Space and Don’t Relent or Back Down on it 

    Your barking buddy is a territorial animal, regardless of what you would like to believe or how domesticated you think they are. And you’ve ever observed dogs interacting; then you must have noticed their tendency to claim their space. They will often do this either physically or through their body language or primal energy just to lay out the message that a certain space belongs to them, even without barking, gnarling or ‘showing their teeth.’ The same way your pawed friend might claim a food bowl or dog toy by only standing over it, you should control access to certain aspects of your home by authoritatively denying them entry. 

    2. Learn to take the Lead 

    One of the best ways to assert your authority is to form a habit of taking the lead, at all time. Not only does this emphasize that you’re the leader but it also trains your barking friend to learn the virtue of learning how to stop and wait for your instructions, at every threshold. This way, you can have some degree of authority over the animal, and he will always look up to you for guidance and direction. One of the best ways of doing this by taking your dog for regular walks and insisting that you walk behind you all the way through. 

    3. Correct Misdemeanors Promptly, Swiftly and in Time

    If you’re trying to teach your dog how to stay away from your furniture, then the best time to prohibitive the displeasing behavior is when he just about to jump on the sofa and not when he is already on it. In other words, he will be able to connect the improper behavior with your corrective action. And with time, this will be firmly established in his mind. The key to creating a concise and an almost palpable boundary to timing your correction with when he is just about to commit an error. 

    Go beyond

    Once you have succeeded in teaching your dog what isn’t allowed and what is allowed, don’t stop there yet. Go a step further and be consistent with a few things: For starters, maintaining these preset boundaries. Secondly, the exceptions to the rule to trespassing your boundaries.

    SOURCE: Cesars Way
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Veterinary Technician Week

    Veterinary Technician Week

    National Veterinary Technician Week is a time set aside to appreciate the health care experts that ensure pets perform their day to day tasks with ease. Vet technicians help preserve your animal’s welfare by improving their health. This commemoration was started back in 1993 and recurs every year in October’s third week. The same is expected this year too.

    It is regarded the best time to appreciate veterinarians all across the country.

    How can I help?

    There are various ways which can be used to raise awareness for the National Veterinary Technician Week cause and promote our course. A media kit is one of them, and it helps us tutor the community about what we do and veterinary services. The kit also helps reinforce our professionalism and value to motivate people who intend to become vets one day.

    A media kit also provides opportunities for us, as veterinary technicians, to commend each other for team building and superb work ethic. Also, we get to acknowledge breakthroughs by other veterinaries while building a quality relationship with the public. You can download the veterinary technician kit for more information about our appreciation week.

    The package contains but is not limited to sample public service announcements, press releases, organizing yourself for the national veterinary week, and event ideas for the week. Veterinaries may be valued every day of the year but this week is set aside to show us gratitude for our compassionate commitment towards your pets.

    When does it Start and Future Dates?

    This year’s National Veterinary Technician Week begins on October 13th and ends on the 19th of the same month. The next National Veterinary Technician Week will commence on 14th October 2018 and run up to October 20th in the same year. The 2019 National Veterinary Technician Week will take place on 13th October 2019 and end on 19th October the same year.

    AVMA

    Our veterinary technician brochure contains all the information required to help you achieve your dream of becoming a veterinary technician. You can also visit this page from the AVMA to get more information about veterinary technicians and their assistants. You can also help us raise awareness by downloading the national veterinary technician week photo and using it as your social media cover photo on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

    Lastly, for more information about this course visit the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Help us take better care of your furry, feline, and avian buddies.

    SOURCES: AVMA, NAVTA
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value