Woodruff Road Animal Hospital

Cats have won the popularity contest! According to the most recent issue of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, more than 82 million Americans own feline pets while only 71 million are dog owners. 

Unfortunately, another AVMA survey indicates that cats tend to visit their veterinarian far less frequently than their canine friends.  This is a particularly disturbing statistic because cats are so good at hiding illness and pain that they often don’t end up seeing a veterinarian until they are extremely ill. Many cat owners refrain from taking their feline pets to the veterinarian to avoid the stress it causes. However, there are many ways to make veterinary visits less stressful and thus improve the health care cats receive.

The first step in making a trip to the veterinarian a more enjoyable experience is to understand that cats are much more comfortable with what they are familiar with.  It is important to take the time to allow them to familiarize themselves with their carrier, adapt to trips in the car and adjust to visits to your veterinarian’s office. 

To make the carrier more inviting and more of a safe haven, leave it in a familiar place in your cat’s home environment.  Place toys, treats and comfortable, soft bedding in the carrier to entice your cat to spend time there. As he or she becomes more comfortable with the carrier try closing the door and simply moving the crate from one area of the house to another. Once this step is mastered, you can move on to the actual trip in the car.

To help your feline friend adjust to the car ride, first place her in a safe carrier, then start with short trips to destinations other than your veterinarian’s office, gradually working up to longer trips and eventually your veterinarian’s office.  To aid in avoiding car sickness, refrain from feeding him prior to travel. Also, consider using a product containing a feline facial pheromone which can be sprayed on the bedding in the carrier to achieve a calming effect for your cat before traveling in the car. Finally, reward your pet with positive verbal praises and treats when they exercise good behavior while on a car trip.

When visiting the veterinarian with your cat take along their favorite toys and treats.  Many veterinarians welcome “fun” visits to their office that involve no procedures or exams and serve to simply help your cat adjust to the veterinary hospital. It may also help to see if there are certain times of the day that are quieter than others so that your cat will not be as stressed.

Regular six month wellness exams are imperative to ensuring that cats have longer, more comfortable lives by enabling your veterinarian to detect issues in their earliest stages when they are easiest to resolve.  With time and patience, these tips will make visits to the veterinarian a lot less stressful for you and your cat.

Myth 1: If your pet hasn’t had fleas in a long time, it’s alright to discontinue flea preventive medication.

Myth 2: To be frugal, it’s safe to split one dose of flea preventative or heartworm medication between two pets.

Myth 3: Small dogs and cats that stay indoors don’t need flea or heartworm protection.

These are all false! Understandably, with today’s economy, many good pet owners are looking for ways to save money. However, they sometimes make unwise choices because they don’t understand the negative consequences of taking their pets off preventive medications for fleas, heartworms and internal parasites.

It’s important to never split medications between your pets, especially between dogs and cats. The products may be harmful to different species or conflict with other medications a pet is taking. Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and indoor dogs and cats are just as susceptible to it as outdoor animals. The disease is definitely not just a canine disease and can affect cats differently than dogs.

Bad decisions can put pets at risk and in the long run can cost pet owners more than keeping their pets on a year-round parasite protection plan.  To save money, take advantage of the rebate programs offered by many manufacturers of pet parasite prevention products. Don’t fall prey to rumors and myths that may put your pet at risk. It is much easier and better to protect pets and cheaper to prevent parasites than to treat them.

Isn’t it funny how the scooting always seems to happen when you have guests over or have just spent hours vacuuming and shampooing the carpet?  This is an age old question of many pet owners.    Consider these possibilities when you find your pet scooting.

Allergies

Dogs, like people, may develop allergies to various pollens, molds, dusts and other substances in their environment.  Less commonly, they may develop an allergy to a variety of items in their diet, with the most common being a protein such as beef, pork or chicken.  The allergic response produced from an encounter with one of these items, can cause inflammation in the perianal (area surrounding the anus) region.  To scratch the itch, your pet may scoot their rear.

 Parasites

Historically speaking, most pet owners have been led to believe that scooting is caused by parasites such as tapeworms.  While this may be a cause, it is not always the reason.  Dogs with fleas and/or a flea allergy may also feel the urge to scratch their itch on your floor.

 Full or Impacted Anal sacs

Dogs (and cats) have two sacs just on the inside of their anus containing a gland that produces a foul smelling, sometimes thickened secretion.  This secretion is used for scent marking, sometimes released in fear and also the reason why dogs greet each other from the back!  Ideally, your pet should release this secretion when he has a bowel movement.  However, in some dogs, this material becomes extremely thickened or the anal sac itself becomes inflamed rendering your dog unable to release the secretion.  From discomfort or a sense of fullness, your dog may scoot his rear end on the carpet in efforts to express this material.  This may lead to infection (abscess) and rupture causing extreme pain for your dog.  Some dogs may need to see their veterinarian regularly to have their anal sacs emptied. 

So the next time you see Scruffy scooting on the carpet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to help sort out the cause!

Does my cat really need to go to the vet? by Deborah Perzak, DVM

If you’re a cat owner, the thought of taking your furry friend to the veterinarian may be something you dread, due to the stress it causes both you and your pet. You are not alone. Although a recent study by the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that cats have now surpassed dogs as the most popular pet in America, statistics also reveal that cats are twice as likely as dogs not to visit the veterinarian.

Regardless of the extra effort it may involve, it is important that all cats are seen by their veterinarian every six months for a routine physical exam. Cats are notorious for hiding illness and pain. Thus, many cats are not seen by a vet until they are profoundly ill. Preventative care performed at semi-annual exams can help ensure your cat lives a long and comfortable life as it enables your vet to identify potentially serious issues early enough to treat them successfully.

Thorough routine physical exams can also often detect subtle weight changes, dehydration, hypertension, dental disease, and other conditions that may indicate a more serious issue or a progressive disease process. Annual lab work, especially for felines seven years and older, can aid in the detection of many diseases including chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. Other diseases that may remain unnoticed by the cat owner include dental disease and obesity. Through early detection of all of the above diseases, your veterinarian may be able to slow or halt its progression, therefore insuring a better quality of life for both your pet and you!

Even cats that strictly stay indoors need semi-annual vet visits. These felines can still test positive for intestinal parasites, which could be transmitted to humans. Older cats may need more frequent visits for the purpose of monitoring blood pressure and blood work. Nutritional needs also change as your cat ages. Your veterinarian can offer nutritional counseling that can help your cat maintain an optimum and healthy weight.

Even if your cat appears well, it is critically important that your pet sees the vet at least every six months. Many steps can be taken to make a trip to the veterinarian a much more enjoyable experience for your feline friend.

Oral Health and Your Pet

By Lauren Johnson, DVM

It has been estimated that over 85% of our pets over the age of three years have dental disease. Dental disease can range from mild plaque and tartar buildup, gingivitis and at worse severe bone loss, loose teeth and infection. The bacterial infections that lurk in unhealthy mouths can spread to the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system of your pet and cause life-threatening, sometimes fatal disease, not to mention intense pain and discomfort. When was the last time you flipped your pet’s lip to examine their mouth?

How do you perform an oral exam at home on your pet?

First, you should examine their breath. Bad breath is a sign of abnormal oral health. Bacteria take over food particles that remain in your pet’s mouth after eating and cause this foul odor. Next, examine each tooth and your pet’s gums. Is tartar present? Are the gums red and bleeding? Are any teeth loose? Food and bacteria combine to create a film called dental plaque. Plaque then hardens and forms dental tartar. This dental tartar collectively building over time can lead to periodontal disease (bleeding gums, bone loss, loose teeth, and significant oral pain). You should then examine their tongue, gums, and lips for any sign of abnormal growths or tissue. A home oral exam should be performed once a week. If you see anything abnormal, please contact us to schedule an appointment for an in-clinic examination of your pet.

What should I do if I think my pet has dental disease?

An examination with one of our veterinarians should be scheduled. From there, the appropriate treatment course for your pet will be determined. Your pet may be scheduled for a professional dental cleaning. This procedure is similar to a dental cleaning performed by your dentist. As you can imagine, our pets are not as willing to have us perform this cleaning while sitting in a chair, so with this in mind, we will need to place your pet under general anesthesia. Prior to your pet’s dental cleaning appointment, we will perform pre-operative blood screening to make sure there are no existing health problems that may complicate anesthesia. We will also begin your pet on a prophylactic course of antibiotics to be started three days prior to the cleaning. Once anesthetized, one of our veterinarians will perform a complete oral examination. Our trained technicians will then scale, clean and polish each individual tooth. Any necessary extractions will then be performed. Next, a laser treatment is then performed to assist in oral healing. Finally, your pet will receive a fluoride treatment and be discharged with post-operative instructions. Approximately two weeks, after the cleaning, you and your pet will return for a follow-up examination during which we will discuss follow-up home care.

 How do I prevent my pet from developing dental disease?

Daily brushing with a pet safe toothpaste like CET Enzymatic Toothpaste is ideal. Brushing your pet’s teeth should be a positive, non-stressful event for pets and owners alike. For help on brushing your pet’s teeth, please visit www.cetdental.com or you may ask one of our staff members or veterinarians. There are other products that you may use if your pet is not cooperative for daily brushing. There are enzymatic water additives, oral rinses, oral gels, and enzymatic dental chews that you may use for preventative care. We also recommend Royal Canin’s prescription Dental Diet for your pet. We look forward to helping your care for your pet and ensure that they live a long, healthy life. Please do not hesitate to call us with your questions and concerns. Remember….Flip that Lip!

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

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