A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 64
By Jennifer Herne, LVT The weather is getting cooler which means you can stop your flea preventative, right? No! You should not stop. I have had many clients come in the past two weeks with a flea outbreak. In the last few weeks we have had optimum temperatures for fleas to hatch and thrive. How can you get rid of them? The best way to get rid of fleas is to use a topical preventive such as Vectra or Frontline. Only purchase your flea medications from your veterinarian, local stores cannot...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT I feel one of the most preventable diseases is parvovirus. This is an intestinal infection that shows as bloody diarrhea and vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite, usually in young puppies. Some breeds such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Pitbulls and Doberman are most susceptible, but don't think that your pup is somehow safe if it isn't one of these breeds listed. Parvovirus is a quick killer of puppies. It can cause puppies to die within 48 hours of symptoms...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT It is always a good idea to research a pet before you acquire that specific kind of animal. Before choosing a pet you should always want to know what its need will be and if you can provide the specific care for that pet. I have always wanted a Guinea pig, they are small and don't require as much room as a German shepherd would. Here is a little bit of information from the ASPCA about the guinea pig, just in case you are considering getting one. Guinea pigs, or cavies,...
We are all more active outdoors in the summertime and this can lead to more injuries to our pets. You can be prepared for injuries to your pet by being prepared in an emergency. Keep a pet first aid kit on hand, most pet stores carry these. You should store your veterinarian's emergency contact information in a handy location, including all of your pet's health certificates and vaccination information. Do you know what to do in an emergency? Can you recognize if a situation is an emergency?...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT In the winter, dog fur is great protection against the cold, but in the summertime it can be a problem, not just for the thick coated dogs, but for any dog that is in the heat, and too much heat can be fatal. If a dog gets overheated it can be a real problem. Dogs eliminate heat by panting. They do not sweat like we humans do. They do have sweat glands in the footpads, but these only help minimally. When panting isn't enough, their body temperature rises, and can do so...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT You probably have seen your dog chomping down on some nice green grass at some point in their lives. They aren't cows so why are they eating grass? You might even worry if he eats a lot of it. First, rest assured that you aren't alone in your concern, especially if he is eating grass and vomiting. Pica is the term used for the disorder characterized by eating things that aren't food. Sometimes pica is an indication that your dog isn't getting adequate nutrition, more...
Compiled by Jennifer Herne, LVT Did you know that 50 percent of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday? Did you know that 800,000 bites a year are severe enough to require medical treatment, while 1 to 2 million go unreported? The vast majority of dog bites are from a dog known to the child-his or her own pet, a neighbor's or friend's. You can help prevent this from happening to your child. Please discuss with him or her the appropriate way to...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT You have 20 minutes to get your cat to the vet and Fluffy is giving you a hard time, clawing and biting and growling. Yes, it has happened to all of us. What can you do to get Fluffy into her carrier without getting bit or scratched? First of all you must understand that Fluffy is scared. Getting into a carrier is not part of her normal routine, but it can be done and can be easier than you think. You can train Fluffy to get in a carrier, maybe even enjoy the carrier, but...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT I have been noticing that a lot of people are sharing information about ticks. I have always been fascinated with ticks and the diseases they can carry and transmit to our pets and also to us. I have always felt that public health and animal health are very closely related, Lyme disease is a disease that can affect both our pets and us. Thousands of cases of Lyme disease have been reported in humans and animals across the United States and around the world. Because people...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT I think that summer is finally here and it is important to remember that our pets can suffer the same issues we do in the heat and sun. Most people love to spend time outdoors with friends and family but it is important to remember that some activities can be dangerous for our pets. Here are some precautions to help keep your pet from overheating. 1. A visit to the vet in spring or early summer to be tested for heartworm and start monthly prevention for fleas and ticks....
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Continued from last week... The last 3 tips for a healthy pet are: 8. Pets need dental health too. Most of us have regular dental checkups; our pets need this as well. Just like you, your pet can suffer from gum disease, tooth pain and tooth loss. Dental disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in pets, yet many people never even look in their pet's mouths. It's estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age three. Owner care...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Continued from last week... 5. Maintaining a healthy weight. Just as humans are healthier by keeping weight off, animals also benefit from keeping a healthy weight. Unfortunately, it occurs easier and faster for our pets to put on additional weight. Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity. And just like people, obesity in pets comes with health risks that include diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Because pets need far fewer calories than most of us think -- as little as...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT 1. Regular exams. It is very important to get your pet to the vet at least once per year. Just as we humans should have a yearly exam our pets should have one too. At these exams you will discuss nutrition, weight control, parasites, vaccinations and dental health. Just like you, a pet can develop heart problems, dental problems and arthritis. Regular exams are the single most important way to keep pets healthy. 2. Spay and neuter your pets. Eight million to 10 million pet...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Spring has arrived and April is Heartworm Awareness Month. Heartworm is a preventable, but serious and potentially fatal parasite that primarily infects dogs, cats and ferrets. It can also infect a variety of wild animals, including wild canids (e.g., foxes, wolves, coyotes), wild felids (e.g. tigers, lions, pumas), raccoons, opossums, and pinnipeds (e.g., sea lions and seals), as well as others. Treating a dog for heartworm is expensive and risky. Heartworm disease does...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Spring has arrived and your pet is probably just as excited as you are. Though spring brings us fresh air, sunshine and cool breezes, it can also bring hazards to your pets. Make sure your pet has their monthly preventative applied for fleas, ticks and heartworm preventative and are up to date on their vaccinations. Keep all medical records handy and keep track of when you have applied monthly heartworm preventative and flea and tick medications. Remember heartworm...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is secreted in saliva and is usually transmitted to people and animals by a bite from an infected animal. Only mammals can get rabies. Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals, mainly skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bats and foxes. In recent years cats have begun to emerge as a group of concern, mainly because cat owners do not vaccinate their cats before they come into contact with rabid...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT We are getting closer to Spring each day now, my cat is starting to go outside more often but the last month or so she hasn't been going outside very much. I have noticed that she is getting more excited these days. However, I was worried about her the last few weeks. She was sleeping more, eating more than usual but not her usual playful sociable self, and wasn't interacting much with us. I knew she wasn't suffering anything medical and then it dawned on me, does she...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Don't turn your head to your pets' stinky breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk. Periodontal disease is fairly common in dogs and cats. Just as we eat food and it sticks to our teeth, we brush them to remove left over food particles. Your pets' teeth should be brushed as well. It can be easier than you think. You can use healthy treats that clean your pets' teeth, such as greenies, and you can also use a toothbrush and special toothpaste to clean them. It...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Have you ever been to a flea circus? Well, hopefully you don't live in a flea circus. You might think this is an off-season topic but it really isn't. You CAN have a flea infestation in the winter in your home. The fleas don't mind living in your warm home all winter long and have no problem doing so. The temperature is perfect for them and they have a steady supply of food, your pet. It is important that you treat your pet during the winter months as well as the spring...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT I have often wondered why cats purr, as a vet tech I have seen cats in many different situations, fear, anxiety and contentment. I haven't seen many cats purr when they are in fear or when they are mad, but I have heard sick cats, nursing cats, and content cats purring. It obviously has something to do with their throats but what else is involved? There have been many theories over the years and most experts say the purring begins in the brain. A purr is defined as a rhyth...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Pet safety during the holidays is probably not on your mind, but here are a few things to keep in mind during this time of year. O Christmas Tree; make sure to securely anchor your tree so that is doesn't tip and fall causing possible injury to your pet and your home. If you use a real tree, any type of additive in the tree water could cause stomach upset if your pet sneaks a drink from the bottom of the tree. Got Tinsel? Kitties love sparkly tinsel. It's fun to bat...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT You might wonder why it is so important to vaccinate and deworm your dog. I have given lots of information on when to vaccinate and deworm your puppy, but adult dogs also need to be vaccinated and PROPERLY dewormed. Let's discuss WHY it is so important, and why 6 weeks of age is critical for you to have your puppy seen at a veterinarian for its first set of vaccines and deworming. A pregnant vaccinated dog will pass some immunity to its puppies during gestation, but this...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT As winter starts to settle in, pet owners face some challenges. We have to deal with cold, wind and snow. One tip that is easy to remember is this; if it is too cold for me outside, then it is too cold for my pet to be out there too. Bring him in the house or on the porch if you can. Animals can easily get hypothermia and frostbite just like we can. Extra care must be taken if your pet is housed outside. Make sure he has adequate shelter to shield from wind, moisture and...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT The weather is starting to get colder so your pet is probably getting reluctant to go out and do their business. What can you do to convince Fido that he still needs to go out? If you have a puppy you can introduce him or her to booties. When I was in Alaska volunteering at the Iditarod, all the doggies wore booties for feet protection. You might wonder how the mushers get the booties to stay on, patience, determination and of course getting the dogs used to wearing...
By Jennifer Herne, LVT Pets are living longer than ever now due to improved veterinary care and dietary habits. One consequence of this is that pets, along with their owners and veterinarian, are faced with a whole new set of age-related conditions. In the last decade there has been extensive research on the problems facing older pets and the care they need. Just as in humans, pets face much of the same disease issues as we do. You may wonder when your pets becomes "geriatric", generally 7...
