Woodruff Road Animal Hospital

Can Your Pet Make You Healthier?

By Deborah Perzak, DVM

We’ve all experienced that smile that spreads across our face as we are greeted by a purring kitten or a dog with a sideways grin and a wagging tail. But, did you know that owning a pet can also be good for your health?

Previous studies have shown that pets improve your mood, decrease your stress level and blood pressure and can lower your anxiety level. Pets can increase your opportunities for socialization by encouraging you to get out and exercise, which is also good for stress management. Because pets offer unconditional love, they help to reduce any feelings of loneliness we may experience and can serve as peaceful companions.

The results of a new study reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and published online by the American Psychological Association found that pets can provide social and emotional support for all kinds of people.

Miami University and Saint Louis University psychologists conducted experiments to evaluate the possible benefits of what they called “everyday people” owning pets. “We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of well-being outcomes and individual differences, than non-owners on several dimensions,” said lead researcher Allen R. McConnell, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio. “Specifically, pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners.”

If you’re feeling the urge now to run out and buy or adopt a dog, cat or bird be sure that you do not just do so on impulse.  With pet ownership comes a commitment to the responsibilities they entail. Pets are completely dependent on their owners so you have to be certain you will be dedicated and financially able to fulfill their needs.  It is also important to ensure you select a pet that is a good fit for your lifestyle and home environment.  Do a little research to determine whether or not owning a pet is right for you.  If so, you will experience the reduced stress and positive health consequences enjoyed by those who have a furry or feathered friend in their lives.

One of the most valuable skills you can teach your pet is how to comfortably accept confinement and being alone.  Teaching your pet to be calm and relaxed when confined and alone will have huge benefits throughout his life and will make house training, boarding stays, travel, vet visits, and unexpected events easier to handle.

Start training your puppy or adult dog as soon as you introduce her into your household.  A collapsible wire kennel works great for this–make sure it is large enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, and stretch out when lying down.  Begin with the crate in a quiet but core area of the house.  Start with the door open and place delicious treats inside for her to find when she investigates.  Follow this by closing the door for short periods of time.  Always provide a potty opportunity before placing her in, and offer a special interactive treat such as a stuffed Kong® to keep her occupied.  Gradually lengthen the time she rests in the crate, and use the crate for night sleeping, also. 

Most puppies will readily accept a crate when trained in this manner and will soon seek it out as their special safe haven.  Small rooms or baby gated areas of the house may be used as an alternative to the crate.  The key is that the pet is alone for short periods of time in a confined area. Avoid creating a negative association with the area by not using the crate for punishment when she makes mistakes.  Practice leaving and greeting your puppy in a quiet, low key manner.

Be aware that occasionally a dog will have true confinement anxiety.  This is more likely to occur in a rescued pet or one with a previously traumatic confinement history.  It is normal for your pet to object by whining or crying for a few minutes when first left alone—in this case, simply ignore her until she quiets down, and then reward the calm behavior by letting her out of the crate.  If the pet seems overly distressed for a long period of time during which she salivates, defecates or urinates, or attempts to hurt herself, she should not be forced to continue confinement training until you seek the advice of a qualified professional.

By Lynn Bowden, DVM, Woodruff Road Animal Hospital

Dr. Bowden practices at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital. While she enjoys the spontaneity and diversity of general small animal practice, her special passion lies in the area of dog and cat behavior. Many hours of advanced study have made her uniquely qualified to assist families with preventative behavioral wellness counseling and address existing serious behavioral concerns. Contact info.: 864-235-5995 or www.woodruffrdah.com

Let’s face it- we all admire and aspire to be the owner of that “perfect” dog – the one you see walking the streets of downtown Greenville greeting folks of all ages or playing in the dog park with perfect doggy etiquette.  The realists among us recognize that there is no such being as a “perfect” dog, but that a happy, confident, well adjusted canine is the combined result of its genetics, life experiences, and environment.  Check the website for other articles that will outline several fundamental principles dog owners can implement which may not guarantee the perfect dog, but certainly will help us live more happily with, and be enriched by, our relationship with our canine companions.

Principle Number One:

The establishment of a consistent rule structure.  Dogs, through evolution and domestication, are uniquely tailored to accept human leadership. Offering a predictable, fair, and consistent rule structure offers us a reliable way to communicate and allows our dog to learn to look to his human for guidance as to what behavior is expected at any given time.  The guidelines are as follows:  the dog must sit calmly and quietly and look to his owner prior to receiving that which he wants or needs.  This means remaining still long enough to calmly accept food, treats, petting, attention, going out the door, coming inside, playing ball, having a collar put on or taken off, …….everything!

When every family member and acquaintance practices this rule structure, the dog knows in each circumstance what behavior is appropriate for him to exhibit, and what he needs to do to get your attention.  He will quickly learn that nothing is delivered until he is calmly sitting and attending to his person.  This is a very humane rule structure for a dog and is especially beneficial for a pet with anxiety problems.  

By Lynn Bowden, DVM, Woodruff Road Animal Hospital

Dr. Bowden practices at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital. While she enjoys the spontaneity and diversity of general small animal practice, her special passion lies in the area of dog and cat behavior. Many hours of advanced study have made her uniquely qualified to assist families with preventative behavioral wellness counseling and address existing serious behavioral concerns. Contact info.: 864-235-5995 or www.woodruffrdah.com

We hope you find our website to be informative! We are committed to providing you with the information you need to keep your pet healthy so check here often for helpful articles and blogs. We will post updates regularly to keep you up to speed on what is going on at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital. We value our clients and appreciate you putting your trust in us to care for your pet.

See us on Facebook.com or at Twitter.com as well. You can like or follow us to see more updates.

With an ever-increasing number of hotels, resorts, and recreational areas rolling out the “welcome mat” for your four-legged family members, record numbers of Americans and their pets will take to the road and the sky during during the holidays.

Why such an increase in pet-friendly travel?

First, pets are more a part of our family than ever before. We want to include them in our experiences and adventures, and we hesitate to leave them behind in a kennel or boarding facility.

Also, new products are being introduced each year that make it easier and more convenient to travel with our furry friend.

Lastly, more accommodations like hotels, resorts, and campsites, as well as airlines, have realized that instead of sitting on empty rooms or seats by turning away customers and their pets, they can fill more capacity and generate customer loyalty by welcoming the pet traveler.

But, before you book your airline reservations or hit the open road in the family roadster, here are a few things to keep in mind to make your pet traveling experience safe, fun, healthy, and enjoyable for all.

By Plane - Making the Most of Airplane Travel With Your Pet

• Plan early. Book your reservations well in advance and check the airline’s latest pet policies. Be prepared to provide a general health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate from your veterinarian, which should be issued within ten days of your departure.
• To minimize your pet’s anxiety and avoid delays associated with multi-location connections, choose nonstop flights if possible. Consider the time of year you are traveling and the weather conditions of your place of origin and your final destination. Early morning or late evening flights work best in warmer weather.
• You will not be able to fly with a dog or cat that is less than eight weeks old. Pets must also be weaned at least five days before traveling by air.
• Allow plenty of time to exercise your pet and give it a “potty break” when you arrive at the airport and before you enter the security area. Soothe your pet with words of reassurance as you place your pet in the carrier or crate, and consider placing a familiar toy or blanket inside for added comfort.
• In lieu of feeding your pet a large meal, bring along healthy easily digestible snacks.

When preparing for air travel with your pet, make sure your pet’s physical condition is conducive to flying. An ill, injured, pregnant, very young, or senior pet has a higher risk to travel. Before booking a reservation, check the latest airline pet policies (posted on all pet-friendly air carrier’s websites). Airlines typically require immunization and health records for traveling pets, and have size regulations to determine approved pet carriers for both under seat and cargo area transport. All carriers should properly fit your pet and have good ventilation. In extremely hot weather, some airlines do not allow pets to be transported in the cargo area.

By Car

Tips for safe travel by car for your pet

• Safely secure your pet in a harness or pet car seat. Just as you wouldn’t think to not wear your seatbelt, an unrestrained pet can become a projectile in the event of a sudden stop or crash, causing serious injury or death to itself, you, or your passengers. Never attach a restraining device to a pet’s collar. Always use a harness to prevent injury.
• Cats should be contained in a secured crate. Never allow your cat to roam freely inside your vehicle; it could get tangled around the driver’s feet or get in the driver’s sight of the road.
• “Pit stops” are important for you and your pet. A good suggestion is to stop every couple of hours for your pet to stretch its legs, walk around, and take a potty break. Never let your pet jump out of the car without a leash, which is not only an essential for you to have control of your pet when you go outside, but also to erase the risk of your pet getting scared in unfamiliar surroundings and running away.
• Bring your own supply of clean water and your pet’s bowls; fresh water is not always available when you need to stop. Pets will feel comfortable using their bowl from home. Easy-to-clean Bella Bowls™ from Loving Pets bring a taste and comfort of home, and are easy to transport. Patented Bella Bowls’ slip-resistant rubber base allows stability on a variety of ground surfaces or in a moving car. http://www.lovingpetsproducts.com/pet-accessories/bella-bowls.
• Encourage your pet to consume small amounts of food and water, but don’t allow it to overeat or drink if you still have more driving to do. Reserve your pet’s main meal for the end of the day, preferably when you have reached your final destination for the night.
• Be considerate and practice good “petiquette” by cleaning up after your pet. Always keep a supply of pick-up bags with you.
• Check with your veterinarian before you leave about flea and tick treatments or repellent, heartworm medication and other preventives.
• Leaving a pet in a parked car is never a good idea.
• A pet first-aid kit is an essential item to pack and should contain things such as antiseptic cream, assorted bandages, tweezers, eye drops, gauze, and tape. Know what items are in your kit and how to use them before leaving home.
• Pack your pet’s medical records, medications, and health certificate. Take phone numbers for your pet’s veterinarian, the National Animal Poison Control Center hotline, and emergency 24-hour pet hospitals in the areas where you plan to travel.
• A travel tag on a pet’s collar will help someone locate you should you and your pet become separated. The travel tag should contain information about where you are staying locally (while away from home) or a cell phone number that you will be using on the trip.

Before taking to the open road on an extended driving vacation, help prepare your pet by taking several short jaunts across town and back to get it used to being in the car. A carsick pet can make the trip difficult for everyone. A seat upholstery protector, such as a pet hammock or waterproof seat cover will make clean-ups easier in case your pet does get sick or has an accident.

Be sure to take along a few cleaning supplies to avoid having to search out a place to purchase them at the last minute.

Keep your pet safe and secure inside the vehicle with a soft place to sit and in a safety-restraint seatbelt.

If your pet is micro-chipped, bring the phone number of the company, as well as your pet’s microchip identification number, in the event of a separation.

Whether you and your loving pet plan to travel by land or air, the bottom line is to be prepared. With a positive attitude, and the right preparations that your pet will appreciate, the experience of traveling with your furry friend will be fun and very rewarding for the whole family.

Have a safe and fun - filled holiday experience with your pet!

For additional suggestions, help, and support for making pet-friendly travel plans, you can also check out these online resources:

• www.dogfriendly.com
• www.dogsonthego.com
• www.pet-friendly-hotels.net
• www.petfriendlytravel.com
• www.petswelcome.com
• www.takeyourpet.com

Source: radthemag.com. All rights reserved.

Click on the link below to assess the potential hazards to your pet which may exist in your home – common household items we might not always consider to be potential threats to our pet’s health and well being.  

This short virtual tour walks you through a typical kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and a garage, pointing out common electrical hazards, chemical and medication hazards, toxins associated with certain house plants, and food and beverage items.

 http://www2.aspca.org/ideum/petsafe.html,

For more information on pet safety and many other pet care issues click on the main ASPCA web site below.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html

Thankyou for taking the ASPCA pet safety virtual tour of a home. We hope it was as informative to you as it was to us.

The Doctors and staff of Woodruff Road Animal Hospital wish you and your pet a safe and healthy Springtime season.

It’s Springtime again and homeowners are out tending to their lawns and gardens.

Many will choose mulch to top dress their lawns, help retain water, and deliver organic fertilizer to gardens and raised beds.

Many homeowners will choose Cocoa Bean Mulch!

Homeowners find Cocoa Bean Mulch desirable because in addition to the reasons mentioned above,

Cocoa Bean Mulch is known for detering slugs and snails, for its fine texture, its attractive color, and

for the sweet smell the fresh mulch gives off. But….veterinarians are saying that this particular sweet-smelling mulch could be deadly to certain family pets, especially dogs.

 Here are the reasons why:

• Cocoa Mulch is made from spent cocoa beans in the production of chocolate.
• Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, part of a larger group of chemicals of which dogs are especially sensitive to, called methylxanthines.
• Dogs who consume enough Cocoa Bean Shell Mulch have the potential for developing signs similar to that of chocolate poisoning.
• In low doses methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain.
• In higher doses it  can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.
• Some dogs, those who in general  are more attracted than others to organic matter, have been known to consume large quantities of Cocoa Bean Mulch.

 Example:consumed by a 50-pound dog:

• Approximately 2 ounces of Cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset;
• 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate;
• 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten Cocoa Bean Mulch, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA  Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Treatment will depend on how much cocoa bean mulch your dog has eaten, when the mulch was eaten, your dogs current health status and age.

Recommended care may include placing your dog under veterinary observation, inducing vomiting, and/or controlling a rapid heart beat or seizures.

Remember:

• Check all labels before purchasing landscaping products such as fertilizers and pesticides. Many contain chemicals which are considered potentially toxic to children and small animals.
• There are many landscaping products available to us today which are considered safe for us and our pets and function as  environmentally “green” alternatives for the planet.  

Prevention is the key to health and wellness. Have a safe and healthy Spring with your family and your pets!

Just like us, our pets can react to things in the air, in their food, or on their skin.

Below are a few steps to help alleviate your pets’ allergies.

1. The most common types of allergies to an inhalant or to fleas are frequent itching, chewing and biting on the tail, as well as the stomach, and the hind quarters. Inhalant allergies can also result in sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and itchy paws.
2. Vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign of a food allergy, but can also be an indication of a more serious underlying medical condition. Do not hesitate to take your pet to a veterinarian if you observe any of the above symptoms.
3. When assessing your pets’ allergies, don’t forget to consider the time of the year. If you live in South Carolina, inhalant as well as flea allergies figure prominently throughout the spring, summer and the fall months – that’s three out of four seasons of the year!
4. If you suspect an allergy to an inhalant, vacuum and dust frequently. Culprits include dust, dust-mites, mold spores, pollen grains and household chemicals, such as those found in carpet cleaners and air fresheners. Your veterinarian  may suggest a soothing medicated shampoo for bathing your pet, and recommend antihistamine or other drugs to keep itching at bay while the skin heals and the allergens are diminished.
5. Check your pet for fleas, as your pet could be suffering from flea bite dermatitis (an allergy to a flea’s saliva). Careful grooming and frequent examinations, not only for fleas but flea droppings, can help alleviate this condition.
6. Consider the possibility of contact allergies. Some pets are allergic to bedding (cedar wood chips and wool are two possible offenders), grass, or plastic food bowls. Some cats are allergic to scented litter and litter made from cedar wood chips, as well. If your pet has acne on his chin and uses a plastic feeding bowl, consider switching to a steel, glass, or ceramic feeding bowl.

Remember the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”!

Stock up now on flea preventative for your pet and remember to follow the directions for monthly use, as prescribed by your veterinarian.

Thank you as always for your time and interest regarding your pets’ veterinary care. Please feel free to call us with any comments, questions, or concerns. We can be reached during office hours at (864)234-5995, or email us anytime at scullycat@charter.net.

Our office hours have been extended as follows:

Monday and Thursday – 7:30 am to 7:00 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday – 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

Even though you cannot prevent your pet from all dangers, you should pet-proof your home and learn how to handle an emergency.

The best health insurance you can give your pet is preventative health care. Preventative health care is much more than just vaccinations. It includes proper nutrition, exercise, weight control, internal and external parasite control, skin and coat care, and dental hygiene. It has been estimated that simply keeping your pets teeth clean can add 2 years to its life. Annual blood profiles and urinalysis for all pets over 6 years of age will allow earlier detection of problems before they become life threatening.

The first step in being prepared for an emergency is by utilizing a veterinary hospital for the routine preventative health care procedures that it offers to 24-hour emergency care, seven days a week. Most veterinary hospitals will refer you after hours, on the weekend, or holidays, when they are not available.  When selecting a veterinarian , do not hesitate to ask how emergency service is handled.

If you know how to stop bleeding, induce vomiting, administer medications, and apply a muzzle, you will probably save your pets life, if it is possible to do so. Remaining calm in an emergency situation is most important for a successful outcome. The basic fact is that if your pet is going to die within the first 30 minutes after an accident, he/she will probably do so regardless of what you do.

 A basic emergency first aid kit can be assembled in a Ziploc bag and should include the following:

• Self Sticking Bandage Rolls for bandaging & controlling hemorrhage
• Gauze Sponges to apply directly to a wound
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Nylon Cord for a Muzzle
• Peroxide to induce vomiting
• Pepto Bismol (for diarrhea)
• Liquid Soap (for washing wounds and skin from contact poisons)
• Rectal Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Scissors

Quick Treatment of Common Emergencies:

Allergic Reactions

Don’t panic if whelps (hives) should begin to break out on your pet. This type of allergic reaction is usually not fatal. It will become uncomfortable, however, to the pet until treated by a veterinarian. Allergic reactions that result in death usually show more severe outward signs such as weakness, vomiting, facial swelling, and diarrhea.

Bleeding

Control bleeding by direct pressure to the wound with your hand or a pressure bandage. Place a gauze pad over the wound and then cover  and wrap with an elastic or self sticking bandage. Place the bandage snug for pressure, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Although some blood may discolor it, the bandage should be tight enough so that the blood does not drip through it.

Seek veterinary attention for all cuts through the entire thickness of the skin or that bleed excessively. It is best not to apply any medications. Tincture of Iodine, Peroxide, and most ointments only irritate the wound more and decrease healing. Do not apply cotton to a wound.

Burns

Immerse the affected part in cold water. Keep an ice pack on the area as much as possible. Do not apply any type of medication until veterinary attention is obtained, especially if the burn appears severe. The major complication is infection and sloughing of the skin.

Choking

Attempt to push the lower jaw open and tilt the head up. Using extreme caution try to remove any object with the fingers. If unsuccessful, kneel behind the dog, holding its body just below the ribs. Squeeze hard a few times, pressing up. Seek professional veterinary attention if the object does not pop out. Swallowed objects that do not interfere with breathing are not immediate life or death threats. However, a veterinarian should be consulted if it is possible the object was swallowed. Complications are much less when the object can be removed from the stomach rather than in the intestine. Many veterinary hospitals now have an endoscope that allows the object to be removed without surgery.

Electric Shock

Remove the source of electricity with a wooden object. Seek veterinary attention immediately! Electric shock usually results in a buildup of fluid in the lungs,over several days that, left untreated, can be fatal. In addition, there are usually topical burns that must be treated.

Eye Injuries

Never apply any medication to an eye without seeking veterinary attention first. Many scratches on the surface of the eye are not visible until the eye is treated with a special stain. If the wrong type of ointment is used, such as an ointment containing cortisone in an injured eye, the condition can be made worse – even to the extent of causing a loss of the eye. Seek immediate veterinary attention for any eye injury including proptosed globes.

Fish-hooks

Fish-hooks must be pushed on through the skin, the barb and point cut off, and them the remainder can be pulled back through the skin the same way it went in. Antibiotics are often needed to prevent infection from the puncture wound.

Fractures

Fractures are no immediate life or death threats. Stabilize the limb if possible with a stick, rolled newspaper, etc., wrapped loosely with gauze. Do not wrap tightly because of swelling that will occur. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Heat Stroke

Early signs include panting, high fever (105 degrees to 108 degrees Fahrenheit), shock, and collapse. Lower the body temperature by hosing or immersing in cold water up to the neck. Seek immediate veterinary attention.

Poisoning (External)

Most signs will involve the nervous system including such things as trembling, nervousness, salivation, pupil constriction, or dilation, and convulsions or coma. Wash the skin in a mild soap, such as Ivory.

Rinse and repeat. Seek veterinary attention BEFORE signs develop. Take a description of the poison to the veterinarian for identification.

Poisoning (Internal)

Read the label of the product for instructions. Do not induce vomiting of some poisons, such as caustic chemicals, acids, alkalis, and petroleum products. Most other cases require vomiting to rid as much of the chemical as possible from the stomach. Ipecac Syrup (5-15 cc) is the drug of choice. Hydrogen Peroxide (15-30 cc) is also an option, but may not always be as effective. Do not induce vomiting before consulting with a veterinarian.

Seizures

There are many causes of seizures including low blood sugar, epilepsy, distemper, diabetes, and heart failure. The dog will NOT swallow his tongue – do not put your fingers in his mouth. Keep him warm, place him in an area where he cannot injure himself, and seek veterinary attention. Young puppies should be given a teaspoon of honey or other source of sugar.

Shock

Signs of shock include depression, decreased body temperature, and grayish gums. Keep the pet as quiet as possible, keep it warm, and seek veterinary attention immediately.

Miscellaneous Notes

Stool samples should always be examined by the veterinarian to determine the cause if diarrhea exists for more than 24 hours.

• The major cause of gastric upset in the dog is dietary changes. All changes should be gradual.
• Tylenol will kill dogs and cats.
• Aspirin will often cause gastric ulcers. Use only enteric coated types.
• More damage is done to wounds by applying medications  than would be present if nothing had been applied at all. In general, all topical medications retard healing to some extent.

The veterinarians and staff of Woodruff Road Animal Hospital are in no way suggesting that the above recommendations be interpreted as a substitute for professional emergency veterinary care.

Please take a minute to check out the newest section of our web-site, Behavioral Health, which is devoted to preventative behavioral wellness and the treatment of existing behavioral problems in pets.

In our first article entitled,”Puppies Rule! Follow These Steps To “Vaccinate”Your Puppy Behaviorally”, you will read about the importance of having a well-planned developmental environment for your puppy, the significance regarding the puppy’s future behavior, and some great tips on helping your puppy to mature into a healthy, behaviorally sound dog.