As the temperatures soar, so do the heat related problems in pets.  Please be aware that your dogs are always wearing their fleece coats!  They do not perspire as we do and rely on panting to dissipate heat.  This means that they can overheat very quickly.  Forgetting them in the yard or, worst case, in the car may be fatal.  So be kind and keep cool indoors, provide plenty of cool water after being outside and walk early morning or later evening.

    On a brighter note, we have fantastic news to share!  We are moving this fall to a new building!  This will allow us to offer more services and keep your pet companions happy and healthy.  We will only be 2 miles from our current location and have ample parking.  I have been working on this opportunity for a very long time and am truly excited to expand the Loving Care facility.  We will have an on site groomer, separate waiting and kennel areas for dogs and cats, plus superior dental and surgery facilities.  We will keep our clients apprised of the new developments and have a spectacular grand opening celebration.  As the owner of Loving Care Animal Clinic for 14 years, I sincerely appreciate you giving me the opportunity to care for your pet family members.  Hopefully, we will continue to grow and provide excellent care for many years to come.

     Upon returning from vacation recently, I was going out to run errands during a rain storm.  As I turned onto a busy street, I saw a dog walking in the street alongside cars.  I pulled over, opened my minivan door, got out, and before I could coax him, the dog jumped right in!  The poor thing was soaked completely, very friendly, and gave me a wet shake.  The collar had a rabies tag from out of state and no name tag.  So, how do you think this ended?  Don't worry...it ended well.  I drove over to the clinic and told Sue where I found the soggy beast.  She called the police department and the owner eventually came and fetched my new friend.  This is a happy ending, however, no ID and no microchip could have had very deleterious effects.  Very few stray dogs come upon roaming veterinarians with mini-vans.  Please microchip your pets and put name tags on them.  We really do love them, too!

    Enjoy summer, drink lemonade, and eat ice cream!  And feel free to drive by our new location at 444 E. Northwest Highway (corner of Northwest Highway and Hicks)!

Spring has sprung, or not?  Perhaps the temperatures will rise above 50 degrees and stay that way for more than a day.  Either way, we know that at some point the weather will be warmer and we will be out doors with our canine companions. The wet conditions make an excellent breeding opportunity for parasites and bacteria.  I have been seeing quite a few gastrointestinal infections this past month and they seem to be linked to the mush in our yards.  So best way to keep the pooches healthy is to simply wipe off dirty paws with baby wipes or give a quick wash in a bucket. This decreases the nasty junk brought into our homes and also provides a clean licking surface.

Pests, such as fleas and ticks, start to be a nuisance from here on out.  So best to apply topical products starting May 1^st.  I use Frontline Plus and Certifect on my dog, Molly.  She is a beautiful Golden Retriever and so far has been tick free. That is the same reason why I use Heartgard Plus; it is the safest and most effective for preventing heartworm disease.  There was just another recall of a generic heartworm preventative that did not have enough of the active ingredient, so dogs could still get heartworm disease.  I am conservative with my recommendations due to 20 years of seeing issues that arise when pyrethrins are put on our pets. They are toxins and not safe.

                                        

Which reminds me of the fact that I have been a veterinarian for 20 years!!?? Wow, makes me feel old, definitely wiser and glad that I have the opportunity to do something every day that I LOVE…  We participate in several student programs and I usually have at least one student that wants to be a veterinarian. This is much easier said than done as they say.  With only 28 veterinary schools in the United States, there is fierce competition amongst applicants.  I tell students that concomitant with excellent grades they also need people skills.  Obviously, your pets cannot bring themselves into my office?  You wonderful pet owners cajole, drag and bribe your beloved creatures into my clinic and then we work together to solve their ailments. This is why I have developed the gift of gab, I can talk to just about any creature, 2 or 4 legged!

I recently spoke to my twin’s first grade class about being a veterinarian, all 74 little cuties.  As I was leaving, a boy that I have known since preschool said to me “I didn’t even know that you worked? Are you really a vet?” I was stunned quite frankly after speaking for 30 minutes to these kids and as I started to reply another girl said “My mom does not work”. That is when I gently told them that all moms work… We just simply have different roles.  Being a mom is the toughest job in the world.  Convenient with Mother’s Day right around the corner…

Well, enjoy the sunshine as it comes, use your leashes and hide your people treats.

Well I was hoping to start off my very first blog with “Happy Spring”, however, get ready again seems more appropriate!  We seem to be experiencing the winter effect later this year and it certainly is making it more difficult for our pet companions and ourselves.  Animals sense the change in the barometric pressure much more acutely than we do; so when the weather fluctuates so drastically it makes them go stir crazy too. You know that old saying “Spring Fever”?  Well it truly is a real thing for pets and people.  I know my Golden Retriever, Molly, is going through an anxious phase when the weather prevents us from walking with her buddies. She has a serious crush on quite the handsome Labradoodle, Harley.  The days she does not get a romp in with him are long in our house and Molly follows me from room to room.  Being a runner, I have always appreciated the importance of exercise as my sanity keeper, but I just recently realized how imperative it is for our canine companions. When we exercise our pets, they are not only happier but less destructive and more content.  So when spring finally clears the corner, get out and walk, run or skip with your furry pal.

Another recent concern is toxic ingestions, such as raisins and grapes.  Certain cats and dogs are very sensitive to these items and they may cause kidney issues.  Many of us moms carry snacks in our purses/totes for the little ones and this seems to be where the problems begin.  Apparently, raisins smell delicious and are sought out…. So put them up high please.  Please call us immediately if there is ever a question about whether an item is toxic or not, the sooner the better.

I also realize how tough it is to get everything in, school functions, sports, dentist appointments, grocery shopping, I could go on forever!  So we are trying to make life easier with your pets. We are open late two nights per week and on Saturday to accommodate your schedules.  We also were asked to make healthcare plans for the annual needs or wellness, so we did.  The economic duress has affected us all and I have strived to continue caring for pets in a time where most people cannot even afford to cover their basic costs.  I try to buy local and am loyal to small businesses within our community. I hope you do the same.  We must stick together as Americans.