Newsletters
Canine Influenza Alert!
There have been over a dozen cases of canine influenza (H3N2) strain reported across Florida and throughout other parts of the United States. Richland Animal Hospital recommends vaccinating dogs that are at high risk and is requiring the canine influenza vaccine for pets who will be boarding with us over the July 4th holiday weekend and in the future. Dogs at high risk for contracting the virus include those who are in close contact with other dogs at dog parks, dog shows, grooming parlors and kennels as well as those who travel. Protect your dogs and be on the lookout for symptoms of this deadly disease. Call us today to ask any questions or to schedule a vaccine appointment at 269-629-9010. For more information from the Centers for Disease Control, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/canineflu/keyfacts.htm 
Winter Activities With Your Pets Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean outdoor activities with your pet have to stop! Here are five ways to enjoy exercise with your pets this season to avoid cabin fever. Cross Country Skiing If you live in an area where there’s snow in the winter months, bring your dog cross country skiing with you. Connected to a long line and a harness, your dog can pull you through the snow on skis, or they can run beside you. Indoor Agility For winter days when it’s too cold to be outside, create an indoor agility course for pets. You can hide treats, set up obstacles like hula hoops to run through; this can keep pets entertained for hours. Make sure that everything in the path of the obstacle course is secure to prevent knocking household items over! Tracking Dogs have a powerful sense of smell and are motivated by different scents. Exercises that require your pets to use their nose will stimulate their brains and tire them out. Create an obstacle course for your pet to get to dinner, or hide treats or different scented items outside spaced out for them to find. Winter Walks Even just thirty to forty minutes outside of your dog playing and walking in the snow will tire them out. Most dogs love being outside during the winter. Make sure to properly equip them with outwear based on their size, length of fur and age. Bring The Outdoors Inside If your pet is unable to go outdoors during the winter, bring outdoor elements inside that they can sniff, and leave windows open so they can see outdoors. If it’s warm enough, open the window so fresh air can flow in. Prepping for Winter with Your Pets Colder weather is on its way! Make sure you and your pets prepare for the elements with these tips: Check Paws Just how our hands and feet get cold, your pet’s can too. Check their paws for signs of cold weather damage. Cracks and bleeding are a major indicator of irritated paws. Limping is a sign, too, and can be caused by snow accumulation between paws. Avoid Ice Always be careful of bodies of water that have frozen over. The ice may not be strong enough to support you or your pet. Watch out for Antifreeze Antifreeze is a deadly poison to pets, even in small amounts. Wipe down pets after being outside to remove any chemicals that are lingering on them. If you suspect your pet has consumed antifreeze in any amount, give us a call. Know their Limits Pets are not invincible to the cold. Even long-haired dogs get cold when exposed to the elements for too long. Very young and very old pets are especially susceptible to extreme weather, as well. I.D Properly Properly tag your pet during the winter months. Snow and ice can mask scents that can help your pet find their way home. Keeping up With Your Pet’s Wellness
As the season change it’s important to keep up with your pet’s general well-being. Here a few tips to keep their health in check! Keep up with regular visits to the vet Take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year for wellness exams. Regular checkups can ensure your pet is up to date on vaccines and can help detect underlying health problems. Brush your pet’s hair and clip their nails The brush you need depends on the breed of cat or dog you have. It is also important to remember to clip your pet’s nails. This will prevent injury to their feet and to surfaces in your home. If you can hear your pet’s nails clicking on the floor, it’s a sign they are too long. Brush your pet’s teeth Keeping your pet’s dental care up to date is one of the most important things you can do for them. A healthy mouth promotes overall wellness. To introduce your pet to brushing their teeth, start slowly and ease your way into it. Stop in and visit us for tips on how to brush their teeth. Provide proper exercise Exercise is important to maintain a healthy body weight and stay strong. The amount of exercise your pet needs depends on their weight, age, and breed. For dogs, take them along on your favorite outdoor activity. For cats, try testing out a jungle gym or laser pointers. Provide proper nutrition Feeding your pet proper nutrition is extremely important. Ask your veterinarian what food is best for their breed, age, and size. Keep your pet's diet consistent to avoid upsetting their stomach. Sources "Brushing Your Dog's Teeth." AAHA. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2016. "PetMD, LLC." How to Exercise & Play with a Cat. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016. Staff, Dvm360.com. "Client Education Tips for National Pet Wellness Month." Dvm360.com. N.p., 15 July 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2016 Introducing A New Cat into the Family
Introducing a new four-legged family member can be an exciting time. As exciting as it is, it’s important to properly introduce your new cat to a current pet or dog. Slow and safe introductions are important and should be done over a one-week period to keep your family’s stress level low. Here are three tips to keep the introduction peaceful: 1. Prepare Preparing for the introduction is one of the most important steps. If your dog is easily excitable or young, it may scare your new cat. To get your cat ready, put him in a separate room in the house with familiar comforts such as toys, a litter box, food, and water. This will give them time to adjust to their new home without being overwhelmed by your current pets. 2. Separate the animals Try putting your dog in his crate and letting the cat roam around freely to get used to the layout of his new home. Make sure when no one is home that the dog or cat is always confined to discourage any dangerous unsupervised interactions. 3. Initiate leashed introductions After your cat is used to walking around your house on his own, allow both pets to be in the same room at one time while the dog is securely leashed. Continue with this until both animals calm down and feel safe and relaxed. If there are any signs of aggression or stress, keep your pets in separate areas of the house a little longer. With time and patience, assimilating a new feline into the family can be a rewarding experience. However, if a dog growls or snaps at a calm or quiet cat at any time, the relationship will probably not work out. The same goes for the cat if he stops eating, drinking, or hisses and/or swats at the dog. |
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Winter Activities With Your Pets Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean outdoor activities with your pet have to stop! Here are five ways to enjoy exercise with your pets this season to avoid cabin fever. Cross Country Skiing If you live in an area where there’s snow in the winter months, bring your dog cross country skiing with you. Connected to a long line and a harness, your dog can pull you through the snow on skis, or they can run beside you. Indoor Agility For winter days when it’s too cold to be outside, create an indoor agility course for pets. You can hide treats, set up obstacles like hula hoops to run through; this can keep pets entertained for hours. Make sure that everything in the path of the obstacle course is secure to prevent knocking household items over! Tracking Dogs have a powerful sense of smell and are motivated by different scents. Exercises that require your pets to use their nose will stimulate their brains and tire them out. Create an obstacle course for your pet to get to dinner, or hide treats or different scented items outside spaced out for them to find. Winter Walks Even just thirty to forty minutes outside of your dog playing and walking in the snow will tire them out. Most dogs love being outside during the winter. Make sure to properly equip them with outwear based on their size, length of fur and age. Bring The Outdoors Inside If your pet is unable to go outdoors during the winter, bring outdoor elements inside that they can sniff, and leave windows open so they can see outdoors. If it’s warm enough, open the window so fresh air can flow in. |
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