Archive for April, 2008

Right now allergies are in full swing for pets and for people. But some owners have something worse than seasonal allergies, they are allergic to their pets. This can be pretty devastating to find out you are allergic to your beloved friends. Here are some helpful tips to try and help minimize allergies to your furry friends.

1. Visit a reputable allergist
-insist on thorough testing
-remove all “other” allergens in home
-desensitizing shots (immunotherapy) can be very effective

2. Clear the air
-have at least one good air purifier with HEPA filter
-keep pets out of bedroom

3. Allergy-proof your home
-have as many washable surfaces as possible (ie wood floors, blinds, roll-up shades)
-desensitize sleeping area at minimum (ie non-allergenic bedding, waterbed)
-let someone else vacuum

4. Manage the pet
-groom/brush daily (preferable someone without allergies); wipe down cats with barely damp cloth once daily
-feed a complete, balanced diet
-let someone else care for the litterbox and the dust that comes with it

Stockton Hill Animal Hospital is always more than happy to accommodate your pet while you are away. We provide all the necessary creature comforts to keep your friend content whether you are away for a day or several.

Vaccines must be current and administered by a veterinarian at the time of your pet’s stay. Should your pet be lacking any necessary vaccines, we would be more than happy to get bring them up to date. Vaccines needed for boarding dogs are the following: DHLPP, CORONA, BORDATELLA, and RABIES. Vaccines needed for boarding cats are the following: FDVR, FELV, and RABIES. We also board birds and small animals which no vaccines are necessary for these critters.

Should you take your pet with you during your travels, you may want to consider the AVID chip. This small microchip is inserted under your pet’s skin and your personal information is linked to this chip should your pet be scanned using a specialized scanner. You must first register your pet with AVID for a small fee before any of your personal information is linked to your pet’s AVID chip. Should your pet get lost during your travels, AVID is nationwide and lost pets have chances of reuniting with their families quicker than that of wearing a tag alone. Stockton Hill Animal Hospital offers AVID microchip placement should you wish to have this service performed for your pet.

We hope that your time away will be pleasant knowing that your pet will be lodging with us at Stockton Hill Animal Hospital.

Summer is coming! The weather is warming up and it’s time to get your dogs out of the house for some much needed exercise. Did you know that obesity affects more than 50 percent of America’s pet population? If your pooch is overweight, he or she can develop all kinds of health problems, such as painful arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulty, diabetes and even bladder cancer. For your dog, the excess weight and the resulting health problems can mean less play time and depression.

Here are some easily identifiable causes of weight gain in dogs:

• Overfeeding - Dogs with unlimited access to food understandably eat more than they need
• Overeating - Many commercial foods are loaded with salt and fat. This improves taste, which means your dog will want to gorge
• Feeding habits - Feeding table scraps and “people food” can lead to obesity
• Lack of exercise - Too much food and too little exercise produces a typical result: Obesity
• Age - Older, less active dogs are prone to weight gain

Food plays a very important role in treating an overweight dog. Along with exercise, a low-fat and low-calorie food is essential in helping your dog lose weight and stay fit. Fiber is also a key ingredient since it helps your dog eat less while keeping her full. Once your dog has been overweight, she may be prone to weight gain and should have an ongoing weight-management plan based on good nutrition, exercise and regular check-ups and weigh-ins.

Our staff understands how difficult getting your pet’s weight under control can be. We are here to help. Call our office to schedule a free weight check up for your dog today. Our Veterinarian can prescribe a diet that will work to help shed those unwanted pounds. Mention this online article and receive 15% off a bag of Science Diet for weight control for the month of April!

Spring is here and the winter rains have nourished the land bringing lots of green living things to Arizona! But in with all that beautiful green is something that can be dangerous to your pet…foxtails. Foxtails are a weed that seem to grow everywhere in the spring time. Chances are good that you have foxtails growing in your back yard right now. Once they dry out, each individual piece blows away and they get everywhere! They have little barbs on them and stick to your pets fur. They can get into their ears, in their eyes causing ulcers, in between their toes causing festering sores, in to their tonsils, on females they can get into their vulva when they urinate and I’ve even seen one get inside the penis of a male cat. Foxtails, once they enter the body, will migrate further in because of their barbs, and cause irritation, sores, festering tracks, and a lot of pain and discomfort to your pet. If you suspect your pet has a foxtail, it is important to bring him or her to see us as soon as possible so it can be removed. Things you can do to try and prevent foxtails from being a problem in your pet include ridding your yard of weeds, checking your pet for foxtails each time they go outside, and for long haired pets, keeping them trimmed, especially around the toes and ears to try and prevent foxtails from getting tangled in their fur. Foxtails can be quite a nuisance so we hope this helps you to keep your pet foxtail free this spring!

Summer is a great time for families and the family pet but can also pose real hazards for those unaware.

Make sure that your dog has plenty of shade and clean, fresh water when outdoors. Consider taking your dog for walks and enjoy playtime in the early morning hours before daytime temperatures escalate.

Never leave your pet unattended for any length of time in a parked car. It only takes a few minutes for a pet to succumb to excessive heat which in many cases can prove fatal even when windows are partially rolled down.

Watch your pets around water. It doesn’t take long for a pet to accidently drown in a pool or lake.

Insects and snakes of all sorts are out on patrol as the weather warms. Watch your pet for any signs of stings or bites. Common areas to keep an eye on would be the paws, nose, and face manifested by swelling, redness, itchiness, and/or pain. Call Stockton Hill Animal Hospital should you believe your pet has been bit or stung.

Consider testing your dog for Heartworm disease and start them on Heartworm prevention due to mosquito populations increasing because of warm weather.

Following these simple rules will ensure your pet gets the most out of summer and the wonderful outside activities this season brings.