Processing ....
How to load your cat up in a carrier without a fight (it is possible!) |
| Ranger loves a clean box! |
|
Who's Walking Who?
Contents: Events
Treatment Tricks - How to Make Treatments Easy!
Attend Dr. Foote's talk about making treatments easy. You will learn how you can have a more cooperative pet during treatments. Learn how going slowly at first and rewarding your pet can make a big difference. She will be at Prairieland Feeds in Savoy on Sunday June 26th from 2 - 3 pm. This talk is open to all pet lovers. Please invite your friends!
Please RSVP by June 25th. You can email us at okawvetstaff@mchsi.com or call us at (217) 253-3221.
This talk is for humans only. Please leave your pets at home.
No one wants their home to be a litter box. I don't have a house kitty due to my husband's severe allergies to cats, so I am not experiencing any litter box problems. I do have to help clients with this problem often. A lot of people spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon yesterday listening to my detailed presentation at Prairie Land Feeds about how to keep your cat happy with the litter box. This is a really aggravating problem and one that will land a kitty in the shelter or worse if it does not improve. I won't bore you will all the details of yesterday's talk. I will hit upon the big factors that have cats unhappy about the box, resulting in potty problems and I will suggest what will help them get back in the box.
The short list of possible problems ( not complete but most common) are bladder infection, anal gland problems, arthritis in cats over 10, kidney insufficiency, diabetes, and irritable bowel disorder. Luckily for us, Mercy has been good at using the box. She has arthritis in her right hip from her hit by car injury which is what brought her to us. She is on Dasuquin and J/D food by Hills to help her pain be less, and the box is pretty easy for her to get to. I will have the staff get a lower box though. It has a high side and before she tells us how hard it is to get in, it would be wise to help her out. It is hard to find low boxes so be creative. You can cut the front lower with a knife, or buy an under the bed storage box.
Try a second litter box in a different location. Put one on the main floor your cat likes to be on and have it be open if you have a covered one. Try a different litter in the new box. Most cats like the cheap generic or activated charcoal litters. Usually just an inch or 2 of litter is best for the cat, and makes it easier for you to dump it all out for a good box cleaning weekly.
Dr. Sally J. Foote and Ranger (Mercy was sleeping on the couch)
Are you Prepared for a Disaster? Flooding from the Mississippi River has devastated towns, farms and homes in many Southern states. Recent tornadoes have also destroyed many towns and homes. Would you know what to do to keep you and your pet safe during and a disaster?
During:
After:
Heartworm is on the Rise!
This map shows the number of cases of Heartworm Disease clinics reported in 2007. The number of cases of Heartworm Disease has increased from 2005 (their last reported study). Clinics in our area reported 6 - 25 cases in each clinic that year. Last year we had 6 heartworm cases. This year we have had 1 case so far. Why do we see so many cases of Heartworm Disease? There are several reasons we see so many cases of Heartworm Disease. Some pets take heartworm prevention, but for only part of the year. They are bitten by a mosquito during the time they are not taking the preventative and develop Heartworm Disease. Another reason is that many pets are not on prevention and many of those pets have Heartworm Disease. These pets act as carriers and help infect other pets when mosquitoes bite them. A third reason is that heartworms may be becoming resistant to the medications that kill them. So it is recommended to give one heartworm preventative for part of the year and then switch to another heartworm preventative. A fourth reason is counterfeit, expired or damaged medication is often purchased through some online pharmacies. Many of the medications purchased through online pharmacies are "bootlegged" products. Owners purchase these medications, not knowing that they may be purchasing a product that will not protect their pet. A final reason is from Katrina rescues. Animals that were rescued and sent to sanctuaries around the country. Most of these animals were tested and treated for Heartworm Disease. Other animals were not tested or treated for Heartworm Disease. These animals help spread heartworm around the country.
What can You do to Protect your Pet from Heartworms? Keep you pet on heartworm prevention year round. You have several options to choose from. We carry two Heartworm preventatives at our office, Revolution and Interceptor. We also offer more through our online pharmacy. Also have your dog tested for heartworm every year. Cats are not tested for heartworm unless they show symptoms.
What Happens if your Pet has Heartworms? We have much safer treatments for heartworm than we did 15 years ago. We can treat your dog for heartworms. We have a couple different options. The first is an injection that will kill the adult worms. The second option is giving your dog a pill once a month for at least one year. The second option is the safest for older dogs or dogs who have many heartworms. Treatings a cat with Heartworm Disease is a little bit more complicated. We are still learning about cats and Heartworm Disease. Right now we treat the cat's symptoms such as trouble breathing, vomiting, wheezing, anorexia and a rapid heart rate.
How do you Know if your Pet has Heartworm? The best way to find out if your pet has Heartworm Disease is to bring your pet in for an exam and a Heartworm Test. Dr. Foote will examine your pet, including listening to your pet's lungs and heart. She will take a sample of your pet's blood. We test that sample using a snap test. The test looks for heartworm antigen, your pet's immune response to the female heartworms. We may also do another test where mix a sample of blood and a solution to remove the blood cells. We push this mixture through a filter and look at the filter under a microscope. We are looking for the baby worms, larva. Dogs with heartworm can have the following symptoms: coughing, tire easily when exercising or playing, trouble breathing and fainting. Cats with heartworm can the following symptoms: difficulty breathy, coughing, rapid heart rate, blindness, collapse, convulsions, vomiting, weight loss, fainting, lethargy and sudden death.
Tired of your Dog Taking You for a Walk? The Spring rains and cold weather are finally over! Now you can take your dog on a lovely walk and enjoy the nice weather. Walking is a great way to get some exercise for you and your dog. But what if your dog pulls? Trying to walk a dog that pulls can take all the fun out walking. Here are a few tips to help stop your dog pulling on a leash.
When on your walks, praise your pet for walking beside you. Say "Good boy or girl." Use a happy voice - they need to know this is right. You can even take some small peices of treats with you and give some pieces of treats as you walk correctly. When your dog starts to pull say "att" and stop walking. Plant your feet and don't budge. When your dog stops pulling, praise him or her. If he or she doesn't stop pulling, change direction. Say "lets go" and head in the opposite direction for a few feet, then turn around and start heading back in your origional direction. Praise your dog for not pulling. If your dog is very active, try playing a game of fetch for 15 minutes before you go for your walk. Your pet will get lots of energy burnt off playing the game and will have less energy for pulling you around on the walk. Look out for a video on our website soon on loose leash walking.
Dogs get to go on walks, but what about cats? Can they go outside, while being safe? They can! Take your kitty on a walk or purchase a cat enclosure so your cat can enjoy the great outdoors too.
|
Before:
Purchase a special harness, such as the Easy Walk Harness by Premier. These harnesses are great because they attach at the front, not over the back. Now when your pet pulls, they just turn sideways. They are easier to put on compared to the head halters and can be worn all the time. 
You can take your cat outside on a special harness designed for cats. 
Your cat can also get some fresh air in a cat enclosure. Cat enclosures allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors, but from the safety of a large "kitty paradise." Cat enclosures are constructed of a fence that may or may not have a top. A variety of enclosures are available for purchase. Some allow your cat to walk out to the enclosure whenever he or she wants. Other types of enclosures are separate from the house, so you take your cat out to them. You can search for enclosures on the internet.