Safe Transportation for your Cat

One of the most common frustrations we hear from cat owners is the act of getting them into the carrier to bring them in to the hospital.  It can lead to cancelled appointments, a few scratches and just general aggravation!  We want to help minimize any frustration so we would like to share some helpful tips to take into consideration if your cat is a reluctant traveler:

1.       The number one tip we offer to people is to get the carrier out a few days before the appointment and place it in an area where your cat can investigate.  Leave the door open and put a few treats in there, they may even wander in on their own. 

2.       Consider leaving the carrier out on a permanent basis.  We hear from some clients that their cats have learned to love their carriers.  Put a cozy blanket inside and a favourite toy to try to entice your cat into the space.  You can also remove the door or the top to help the carrier seem more inviting

3.       Make sure your carrier is an adequate size.  The carrier that worked well for Fluffy when she was a kitten may not be a comfortable space for her now.  She should be able to get up and turn around comfortably - a cramped space will only add to her anxiety.

4.       Try Feliway.  Feliway is a synthetic version of the pheromone cats use to mark their territory as safe and secure.  It helps create a sense of comfort and familiarity and assists them to cope with stressful situations.   Feliway comes in a spray, wipes and as an electric diffuser.  It is available through the clinic as well as at most pet stores.

5.       If an emergency arises there may not be time to prepare.  In those cases we recommended getting a large towel and wrapping up your cat before guiding them into the carrier.

We hope these tips help make your pet’s next visit to the Hospital a little less stressful.  Please let us know if you have any questions or additional suggestions that have worked for you in the past – we would love to share them!

-Jennifer

Cold Weather Tips

The cold weather is on its way! Here are some tips to help get your pet through the coldest months of the year.

·       Keeping long haired dogs trimmed can help to reduce the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. Don’t forget to trim the hair between the toes! This can be a common place for ice balls to collect.

·       Bring a towel on long walks to clean off irritated paws. After each outing, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemicals. This is especially important for the pets who like to lick their feet – they can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals. Check for irritation on the pads and between the toes.  If you notice that they are chapped, you can use some unscented moisturizer to help restore them.

·       Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat is also a good way to retain body heat for short hair breeds.

·       If your dog will tolerate them, booties help minimize contact with salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes.

·       An alternative for dogs who will not tolerate booties is a product called The Invisible Boot.  It was recommended by a client and is a great alternative for dogs that are sensitive about their feet being touched. You can also try massaging Vaseline into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and ice-melting products.

·       Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Please keep that in mind when you are ready to take them out for their walk or letting them out in the backyard.

·       Keep your cat inside! Despite a fur coat, it is far too cold for them to spend time outside in the winter months.

·       During the winter, if there are cats in the area, they sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. Fan belts can cause a lot of damage or death to a sleeping cat if the engine is started. Bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

·       Do not hesitate to bathe your dog in the winter when they need one, but be sure to dry them thoroughly before taking them outside.

·       Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during very cold weather.

·       Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs so be cautious when housetraining in the winter. If your dog is sensitive to the cold take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

·       Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, away from any potential winter drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is a perfect place for a warm winter nap.

Winter also brings about some potential household hazards specific to cold weather. They include:

Antifreeze has a pleasant taste to our pets but unfortunately a very small amount can be lethal to both cats and dogs.  Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills and store the bottles in tight containers where your pets are unable to access them.
Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the ingredient and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.

Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather when rodents are looking for warm shelter. Place the bait in areas that are inaccessible to companion animals.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this information, we would be more than happy to answer them!

-Jennifer

 

Coyotes in the City

Halloween Dangers

To ensure your pet has a safe and Happy Halloween, please consider these helpful tips.  These suggestions will help make the night fun for everyone!

Chocolate and other candy

Keep the candy bowl where curious noses can’t get to it! Consumption of even small amounts of chocolate can cause seizures, muscle tremors, diarrhea and vomiting while larger doses can be fatal.  Ingestion of high-fat, sugary candy can lead to gastro intestinal upsets like vomiting, diarrhea and also pancreatitis.

Candy wrappers

Be sure to pick up any wrappers that may be accessible to pets – these can cause gastro intestinal issues as they work through your pet’s system.

Running out the door

If you are handing out candy you will be frequently opening up your front door.  If your pet has a curious nature they may try to slip past you so please make sure they are in a safe place where access to the outside will be limited.  Also, make sure your pet has tags or some form of identification on in case they manage to get out and take a walk around the neighborhood. 

Anxiety

Some pets can become easily frightened as the doorbell is ringing and children are coming to the door in unfamiliar clothes and masks.  Set up a safe haven for your pet where they can calm their nerves and take refuge from the commotion.  Their crate or a closed room can work well in this situation.

Costumes

Our pets sure do look adorable in costumes so if you dress your pet up in a costume please make sure they are comfortable!  While some pets love to dress up, others are uneasy and feel restricted.  Also make sure that their vision and movement is not impaired and that they are able to breathe well and pant if necessary.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

-Jennifer

Dental Home Care

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy is a very important part of pet ownership!  Tartar buildup leads to gingivitis, periodontal disease as well as abscessed teeth.  These conditions are a recipe for a very painful and unhealthy mouth.  As bacteria is absorbed from the mouth into the bloodstream it is circulated throughout the body which can lead to disease in vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and even the heart.  Here are a few tips to help develop and maintain a dental home care routine with your pet!

1.     Start young if you can!  We recommend introducing your pet to the process at about 8 – 12 weeks of age to get them used to brushing once their permanent teeth have grown in. However, take a break during the teething process as there is likely to be some irritation associated with their permanent teeth growing in.

2.     Establish a routine - try to set aside the same time each day so it becomes a part of your pet’s normal schedule.  If your pet is food motivated try brushing right before dinner so they will be rewarded for their co-operation.

3.     Make it fun!   Use lots of rewards, love and praise throughout the process and remember to be patient.

4.     Do not rush the process.  Start simply by handling your pet’s mouth, rub their lips and gums to get them used to being handled in that specific area.  Try a drop of low sodium chicken or beef broth or some tuna juice for cats on your finger to help them look forward to your sessions together.

5.     Once your pet is more comfortable with their mouth being handled, wrap a piece of gauze or a wash cloth around your finger and add some pet friendly toothpaste to the tip.  Pet toothpastes do not include detergents so they are safe for our pets to swallow.  There are a number of different flavours available like poultry, seafood, malt and vanilla mint! 

6.     Finally, add a toothbrush.  There are a number of different toothbrushes designed for pets and we would be happy to help you select the right one – you can even use a baby tooth brush from the drug store.  Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle and use a back and forth motion focusing on the gum line as this is where bacteria and tartar start to form and build up.  Concentrate your efforts on the cheek side of the teeth - the tongue side is not as critical.  Make sure to offer treats and rewards as your pet allows you to brush.

7.     Once you and your pet are confident with your brushing routine Dr. Dunn recommends at least twice a week as a minimum and every day as a maximum.

If brushing is difficult or not an option for you and your pet, there are other measures you can take to help dental health.  Dental diets are veterinary exclusive foods which are formulated as a large kibble that resists crumbling and helps with the mechanical cleaning of the teeth.  While they will not get rid of tartar that has already formed, they are very helpful at inhibiting the progression of new tartar and can lengthen the time between dental cleanings. 

Please let us know if you have any questions about dental home care or any of the dental diets.  We would love to discuss this with you and help you develop an appropriate dental health routine for your pet!

Jennifer

All About Ear Infections!

Ear infections are something we see almost daily at Streetsville Animal Hospital and we are often asked a lot of questions because they are so common.  We thought we would put together a few of our most frequently asked questions to shed some light on a condition that can sometimes be pretty frustrating!

Why is it important to see the Veterinarian when my dog’s ears are bothering him, can’t I just have medicine?

The reason Dr. Dunn needs to see your dog when he/she is starting to show discomfort is to identify exactly what is causing the irritation.  Sometimes it is yeast, sometimes it is bacteria and sometimes it is both!  Dr. Dunn will commonly collect some discharge on a cotton swab and place it on to a slide – this is known as an ear smear.  This will allow him to look very closely at the discharge and identify exactly what has been causing the infection.  In our pharmacy we have a variety of different medicines that treat a variety of causes so it is very important to know exactly what your pet needs so we can get them feeling better as efficiently and as quickly as possible!

Why is it so important for a follow-up appointment after my dog has been treated for an ear infection?

This is a question we get a lot and it is a fair question – especially if your pet seems back to normal after their treatment.  The ear drops Dr. Dunn prescribes include an anti-inflammatory which will make your pet feel better no matter what the cause of the infection is.  However, deep down inside the ear canal can sometimes be a different story.  At a typical re-check appointment, Dr. Dunn will have a look in both ears with a scope to make sure they are clear but occasionally there is still some irritation and discharge present in the canal.  This can mean a few things – that this particular bacteria/yeast is resistant to the drops or that the drops just are not getting deep enough into the canal for proper treatment.  In this case, Dr. Dunn will discuss an alternate treatment option with you.

Is there anything I can do to prevent ear infections?

Keeping your dog’s ears dry in the bath and after swimming will certainly help to prevent infections.  Bacteria and yeast love dark, moist areas to grow and cause problems.  However, some pets are just prone to chronic ear infections.  In this case Dr. Dunn will often select an ear wash and add some medication that is appropriate for the chronic issues your pet has been struggling with to create a flush that will be used for maintenance.  If Dr. Dunn has provided you with an ear cleaner and you are finding that your pet’s ears require cleaning more than once a week, they are likely infected and we should have a look at them.

Should I routinely pluck my dog’s ears?

No, Dr. Dunn does not recommend plucking a dog’s ears unless the hair in the canal becomes an issue.  Sometimes plucking them can cause discomfort – scratching, shaking of the head and rubbing the face on the ground which can actually lead to infections.  If a dog is prone to chronic ear infections sometimes Dr. Dunn will recommend having the ears plucked to prevent discharge and moisture from accumulating in the ear and also to ensure medicine is making its way all the down the ear canal.

If you have any questions or would like some more information please do not hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail, we would be more than happy to help!

Jennifer

Welcome to Our Blog!

We are very excited to share that we will be starting a blog at Streetsville Animal Hospital!  It will be filled with a mix of educational and entertaining topics that relate to animal care and keeping the four legged members of our family happy and healthy.  We thought we would use our very first blog post to discuss our hospital and some of the services we provide.

Streetsville Animal Hospital is a full service companion animal practice located right in the heart of Streetsville.  Here at Streetsville Animal Hospital we pride ourselves on being compassionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the work we do.  Not to mention, we are all animal lovers with pets of our own who are very near and dear to our hearts and important members of our families!

Dr. Dunn graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 1991 and has been the proud owner of Streetsville Animal Hospital since March 15th 1995. He is the primary Veterinarian at the practice.

Our hospital is very proud to offer a wide range of preventive care services that include vaccinations, nutritional counselling, dental care, wellness blood testing, heartworm testing and more. These services ensure we are providing your pet with the highest standard of care possible.  As your pet ages we will work together with you to help your beloved pet ease gracefully into his or her senior years.

Streetsville Animal Hospital also provides diagnostic services such as radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy and lab services such as blood work and urinalysis.  Dr. Dunn is constantly upgrading his skills to become the most efficient and knowledgeable resource for you and your pet.

We also offer surgical options from routine surgeries such as spays and neuters to mass removals, dental extractions and orthopaedic procedures as well.  Dr. Dunn and his technician Michelle have been working together in the surgery suite for 18 years and have developed a very thorough and skilled partnership.

At Streetsville Animal Hospital we strive to make you and your pet feel confident and comfortable in our care.  It is always our objective to treat our patients as if they are our own pets and provide them with the attention and respect they deserve.