Welcome to August! This months newsletter will include
articles about hot weather pet care, cat health care tips, fun
facts and of course the monthly trivia question. Remember we love
input on the newsletter so any recommendations or suggestions of
article topics are very welcome! I hope you are enjoying our
newsletters and I thank you for your time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot Weather Pet Care
 In the summer, dogs and cats can suffer from the same
problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even
sunburn. Follow some simple rules and keep your pets happy and
healthy. 1) Bring your pet to the Visiting Vet for a spring
or early summer exam including a heartworm test for dogs.
Year-round heartworm preventive medications are recommended for
dogs and cats. Spring is also the time to discuss a safe and
effective flea and tick control program. 2) Never leave you
pet alone in a car! Even with the windows open a parked car can
quickly become a furnace. Parking in the shade offers little
protection from the heat of the sun. 3) Carry a gallon
thermos filled with cold water when traveling with a pet. 4)
Exercise pets in the cool early morning or evening. Avoid exercise
in humid weather 5) Don't let pets stand on hot asphalt. His
or her body can heat up quickly and paw pads can be burned. 6)
A trip to the beach is a no-no unless you can guanantee a shaded
spot and plenty of fresh water. 7) Provide fresh water and
plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors. Bring your cat or dog
inside during the heat of the day. 8) Older and overweight animals
as well as those with heart or lung problems should be kept in air
conditioned rooms as much as possible 9) When out with your
dog, stay away from areas that may have been sprayed with
inseciticide or other chemicals. Be alert for coolant or other automotive
leaks. Ingesting just a small amount can be fatal! 10) Brush
dogs and cats often to help avoid summer skin problems. If you
shave your pet leave at least 1 inch of coat to provide protection
from the sun.
Find out
more....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cat Health Care Tips
- Nutrition:
Feeding a balanced and good quality food is very important.
Excessive shedding and a dull hair coat are signs your cat may
not be getting the best diet. We recommend you stay away from
semi moist and foods with colors and preservatives. There are
lots of great "premium" foods to choose from or if
you decide to go with a grocery store type food we recommend
Purina or Iams. Older cats or cats with illnesses such as
renal disease should be on special diets. Always ask your vet
what they would recommend for your cat's age and health.
- Grooming:
Although your cat probably is a great groomer it is also
recommended that you brush them regularly to decrease shedding,
matting (especially in longer haired cats) and hairballs. Most
cats love to be brushed but if they object there are also
grooming gloves and combs that your cat may prefer.
- Regular
Veterinary Exams: Cats are great at
hiding illnesses. We recommend minimum yearly examinations for
healthy cats under the age of 7 years. Cats over 7 years old
are considered geriatrics and they should receive thorough
examinations every 6 months. Further testing such as blood
work and urine samples may also be recommended.
- Oral
Care: It is quite important for
a cat to maintain a healthy mouth. Daily brushing or oral
rinses can make a world of difference. Appropriate veterinary
dental cleanings may be needed every 1-5 years depending on
the amount of tarter and dental disease present. Signs of
dental disease include red inflamed gums, tarter and oral
odor. Dental disease often leads to heart and kidney disease
in cats.
- Exercise:
Cats, just like humans need exercise.
Most cats are overweight due to lack of exercise or
inappropriate feeding. We recommend you spend 10-20 minutes a
day playing with your cat. Laser pointers or the
feather/string/pole toys are great and can easily be done
while you are watching television or even reading a book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trivia
***August trivia question: Where does the phrase "raining
cats and dogs" originate from? The first client who calls
(731-pets) with the correct answer will receive a $5 credit to
their account. ***Answers to July trivia question (
Approximately how many dogs in the US have been named the primary
beneficiary in their owner's will?) was 1,000,000. Congratulations
to Sally A. who called in with the correct answer and had $5
credited to her account!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know?
Cats have more than 100 vocal sounds, while dogs only have about
10. Cats can learn tricks. They just sometimes choose not to.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They
sweat through the pads of their feet.
|
|
|
Thank you for your time and I wish you a fantastic
month! We constantly strive to provide the best care for your family
pets and exceptional service to our clients. I offer appointments
while parked at Discount Pet store on Gull Road and also offer house
calls as available. If I can be of service to you, please give us a
call at 269-731-7387 to schedule an appointment today. Also, remember
if you refer a friend or family member, both of you will be entered
in our 2006 referral drawing program for many great prizes. Our next
drawing will be held the end of December. (please see our website for
more info about our prize drawings). Thank You and Good Luck!!!
Sincerely,
|
Return to the Visiting Vet Newsletter Archive Page 
