Pets are Family….Not Presents.

Pets can bring untold amounts of joy and happiness…but a pet at Christmas time is a bad idea.

A puppy or kitten under the tree may be very exciting at first but the care and financial responsibility can be overwhelming during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Just like any gift under the tree these cute and cuddly furballs get played with for a while and then get set aside when the novelty wears off. A pet given as a gift is hardly free for the recipient. They require food, veterinary care, training….it’s a 10-15 year committment of time, money, and energy that may exceed their abilities.

Things to Consider:

The Atmosphere on Christmas Morning

A puppy between the ages of 8-12 weeks is at a stage where it adjusts best to leaving it’s litter mates and bonding with its new family. However, during this time it is imperative to not cause undue stress. The hustle of a holiday can frighten a young puppy and prevent it from forming healthy bonds with it’s new family in the future.

Sending the Wrong Message

Giving a live animal as a gift can send children the message that this is just another “object” that can be hidden in the closet with the rest of the toys after they get bored with them. The most valuable lesson a pet can teach a child is respect for living beings and that pets are members of the family. This message can easily get lost when a child opens a box with a wriggling, cuddly pet as a gift.

Puppies Grow Up

That cute, fluffy puppy is going to become an adult dog that needs training. They don’t come knowing what to do. They need to be taught where to go potty, not to jump on people, not to chew furniture, etc. The Humane Society reports that most dogs that end up at the shelters are between 7-14 months because of “behavior problems”. They also state that most puppies and kittens born in the United States never reach their second birthday due to being hit by a car because they ran away from the owners, starvation, injury from another animal, or euthanasia. This is due to many owners not understanding the what it would take to properly train and care for a pet.

If you have already decided that you’d like to give a pet as a gift this holiday season, perhaps think about giving a certificate for a pet to be purchased later once the hustle and bustle calms down after the holidays. Package the certificate with books on pet selection, pet training, and healthcare. This is a great way to introduce the joy pet ownership can bring without the undue stress of a new pet during the holiday festivities.

National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month | Allentown Animal Clinic

 

Top Pet Tips for Fall

Keep your furry friends healthy and happy this fall!

Ahhh! Fall is here! It’s the time of year for football, cool crisp air, beautiful fall leaves, and possibly a bit of snow! It’s a great time to get your pets outside! Dogs love a good romp in the freshly fallen leaves! Cats enjoy the midday sunshine as the days get shorter.

Keep your pets healthy and help them enjoy the season by following Allentown Animal Clinic’s fall pet tips!

Rat poison and other rodenticides

Fall is the time of year when mice, rats and other rodents scurry inside for warmth. Be careful when it comes to mouse traps and rodent poisons. Many poisons currently on the market can be very harmful to household pets. Talk to your veterinarian about safe pest control methods.

If your pets do get a hold of a rodent be sure to monitor closely for any signs of illness.

Fatten up!

As the temperatures drop, it can take more energy to stay warm. You may need to feed your pet a bit more to help compensate. Before you change your pet’s feeding, be sure to discuss with your veterinarian.

Antifreeze Toxicity

Some people start to winterize their vehicles when the fall weather hits. This includes changing fluids such as antifreeze, which can be deadly for pets. Just a teaspoon or two can kill a small dog or cat! Chemicals in antifreeze has a sweet smell that is very enticing to pets. It’s imperative to clean up any spills immediately and keep your pets out of the garage while working on your car.

Chocolate and hearty foods

Both fall and winter are big holiday season, where we tend to eat a lot more heavy foods and sweets. Make sure your pets don’t get into food that can make them sick. This includes chocolates, grapes, and raisins! Other foods that are too rich, and high in fat can cause stomach upset and some serious medical conditions.

 

Brought to you by Allentown Animal Clinic, and our friends at PHN.

Even Pets Can Get Back to School Blues

Even pets can get back to school blues as their routine changes. Allentown Animal Clinic has a few tips to ease your pets into the new school year as well.

While back to school time can bring lots of excitement to the house for the humans, it can bring some uneasiness to your pets. All summer long Fluffy and Fido had someone around to hang out with, now that he/she is alone it can lead to depression and anxiety.

1. Start to incorporate the new school day routine early. Try getting up earlier and taking your pet for a walk or having some morning playtime. Run some afternoon errands so your pet can get used to a quiet house in the middle of the day.

2. Try a new “special toy” that your pet gets only while the kids are at school. Let the kids give it to him/her in the morning as they leave for the bus and then take it away when they arrive home. This can help your pet look forward to his “special toy”, rather than build anxiety as everyone is getting ready to leave for the day.

3. Try adding some mental stimulation for your pet. Instead of feeding your pet’s full meal in it’s bowl each morning, you can try hiding some it around the house or in a Kong toy. Your pet will be so busy looking for their breakfast or a special treat, he won’t even realize you’re gone!

4. You may also consider sending your dog to camp. While the kids are away at school it may be fun for Fido to go to school, too! Look for doggie daycare centers in your area. Just be sure your pet is up to date on all vaccines before you send him off to “school.”

These are just a few fun ways to help your pet adjust to his new schedule! Share your ideas with us as well!

Why does my pet need bloodwork?

At least 5 times a day we have clients ask us “Does my pet really need that bloodwork?”. Our answer is always yes…not because we want to run a bunch of useless tests, but because we want to give your pet the best care possible and keep him/her healthy.

Did you know pets age 7-10x faster than humans do. One year in your cat or dog’s life is about the same as 7-10 years for you!

 

For senior pets we recommend routine bloodwork so we can monitor aging changes in your pet’s overall organ function. As your pets age body organs start losing normal function. Kidneys shrink, thyroid glands start under- or over-producing hormones, the liver starts to wear out. The routine bloodwork we recommend helps us to find those changes sooner than we normally would, allowing us to treat your pet more effectively.

 

One of our hardest obstacles is getting clients to run bloodwork on young pets. We always recommend bloodwork at the time of your pet’s spay/neuter. Pre-surgical blood tests on juvenile pets give us  baseline data to compare to when your pet gets older. 

 

 

These annual blood chemistry tests often get confused with annual heartworm testing by our clients. Yes, heartworm testing is also a blood test, but it’s a fairly inexpensive test compared to the recommended blood chemistry testing.

 

 

Both, heartworm testing and blood chemistry testing at annual physicals are recommended to keep your pet healthy.

 

 

 

A physical exam detects problems on your pet’s outside. Blood tests make sure they are similarly healthy on the inside.

 

 

 

 

What does all this blood chemistry mean?

The short answer: It means we can potentially add an additional year or two to your pet’s life by doing a simple blood test that can detect organ changes early enough for us to start treatment.

The long answer:

 If we send your pet’s blood to the lab, it may include:

 

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC), including hematocrit, hemoglobin, blood parasite screen, and white cell count.
2. Comprehensive Chemistry Profile, including tests of the liver, kidney, pancreas, blood protein levels, electrolytes, Calcium and blood sugar screening for diabetes.
3. T4 which checks thyroid changes in your pet.
4. Urinalysis which includes urine glucose, urine protein, blood, bacteria, and calculi.

 

So, at your pet’s next annual physical exam, please take your veterinarians recommendations seriously and plan to do annual heartworm testing as well as blood chemistry testing. The price is small compared to all the extra time it can add to your pet’s life.

Fourth of July Pet Safety

While you’re preparing for your Fourth of July barbecue and looking forward to lounging with family and friends, take some time to prepare some safety measures for your pet this holiday. 

More pets get lost on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. Be sure your pet has a visible and up to date ID on at all times during the holiday festivities. You may even want to take a current photo of your pet, too, just in case.

Give your pet a good workout early in the day. A tired pet may be less likely to be anxious and startle easily.

Ask guests to kindly refrain from feeding your pets any table food. You could keep some kibble or dog treats out for those guests that simply cannot refuse those fuzzy, begging faces! Maybe, even request that everyone try to keep an eye out for pets to be sure they don’t try to escape.

Fireworks, sparklers, and charcoal are extremely dangerous for pets. Keep this stuff far out of reach of pets.

If your pet is afraid of loud noises, place them in an escape proof room with some music playing during the fireworks. If you will be heading out to watch fireworks, perhaps leave your pet with a good chew toy rather than having them join in the festivities.

Allentown Animal Clinic wants everyone to stay safe this Fourth of July! Enjoy your holiday!

 

Preparing Pets for Boarding and Kenneling

Summer vacations are quickly approaching, which means many pet owners may be traveling to visit friends and family. With all the hustle and bustle of travel plans being made it’s easy to forget about the necessary preparations and plans for Fido and Fluffy! Whether you will be kenneling Fido or bringing Fluffy along for the trip, Allentown Animal Clinic has the info on what you’ll need to know!

If you are kenneling your pet avoid the seasonal rush and be sure you have the following done a few weeks before you are set to travel.

• Visit the kennel before you drop off your pet. Most kennels welcome visits and it gives you a chance to ask any questions about the facility.
• If your pet is on medication, be sure you have enough to last through his/her entire stay. Also, you want to be sure the kennel staff can administer it properly. Some kennels, especially during peak seasons, may not be able to give medication as often as your pet requires.
• Most kennels will require a health certificate and a copy of your pet’s most recent vaccines.  Kennels can have different vaccine requirements as well, don’t just assume your pet has everything the kennel will require. Find out from the kennel what is required. Now is a good time to call your vet and be sure all required vaccines are up to date!
• If your pet has fleas, or other parasites, he/she should be treated prior to arrival at the kennel.

If you will be taking a road trip with your pet it will be a lot less stressful for them (and YOU!) if you make the necessary preparations well in advance.

• If your pet is not accustomed to being in the car, it’s up to you to change that prior to travel. Get your pet used to being in a carrier or a pet seat belt. It’s never safe to have a loose pet in the car. Start taking short trips to the park or grocery store before hitting the open road with your pet in tow.
• Don’t let your dog hang his/her head out the window. Debris from the road can hit your dog, causing possible injury and/or ear and eye infections.
• Take frequent breaks!
• Some pets do get carsick. Ask your veterinarian about appropriate medication and dosage before you leave.
• Bring along a health certificate and vaccination records. Also, be sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tags!
• Prepare an emergency medical kit. A familiar toy or blanket may also be useful.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Pets

During the month of March our theme here at Allentown Animal Clinic is “Don’t Leave Your Pet’s Health to Luck”. We are focusing on the benefits of wellness care and regular check ups. One of the best things you can do for your pet is to have it spayed/neutered.

What is Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying is the term used to describe an ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is the term used to describe the castration of a male animal. Both, surgical procedures, they are performed by your veterinarian to prevent the animal from being able to reproduce. These procedures are routine and require minimal hospitalization, with most pets able to return home the same day! Pre-surgical bloodwork can be done and pain medications administered to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable during and after the procedure.

Health Benefits

Both procedures offer many health benefits for your pet. Spaying your female cat will prevent the constant crying and pacing of a cat in heat. Spaying your female dog eliminates the mess associated with a female dog in heat.

Spaying your female pet helps to prevent breast cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine infections and cancer.

Many undesirable male behaviors, such as urine marking, aggression and the urge to roam, can be prevented by neutering your male cat or dog. Long term benefits of neutering are preventing testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland.

Benefits for the Community

Animal overpopulation is a serious problem that affects all of us. Millions of tax dollars are spent each year to care for stray and unwanted pets. Shelters are burdened with millions of pets each year that simply there are just not enough homes and willing adopters for.

Stray animals can also contribute to public health issues. There is a danger of transmittable diseases (i.e. Rabies), animal waste, dog bites/attacks.

By taking the responsibility of having your pets spayed and neutered you can help to be part of the solution to this growing problem!

What Will it Cost?

The cost of each procedure depends on your pet’s species, age, gender and weight. Keep in mind, however, that this is a one-time cost versus the cost of caring for a litter and the number of unwanted problems and complications of not having your pet spayed or neutered.

Many areas also offer low cost spay and neuter clinics. Check with your local animal shelters for their low cost options.

Spaying or neutering pets prevents animals from being born accidentally, and is the most effective and humane way to save animals lives.

 

Senior Pet Care

If you have a pet in it’s senior years, you may have started to notice some changes. Allentown Animal Clinic has some tips on slowing down the signs of aging and keeping your senior pets more comfortable.

Some changes your pet is experiencing will be noticeable, such as hearing loss, decreased vision, changes in coat, and behavior patterns. Other changes are happening internally and may have more subtle symptoms. If caught and addressed early by your veterinarian many of these changes can be slowed and your pet can be happy and comfortable well into their senior years.

Senior pets have less tolerance for the cold weather during fall and winter. Using a sweater when your pet goes outside offers some protection. Also, be sure your pet has a place inside to rest away from drafts.

Thinning hair coat is common among senior pets. Talk to your veterinarian about starting a fatty acid supplement that can help with skin and coat.

You may also start to notice a lack of appetite and weight loss. Just like humans pets will start to lose their sense of taste and smell, making food less appetizing. They also start to lose muscle mass and tone as they age. In addition, your senior pet could be experiencing dental issues. Consider having your pets teeth professionally cleaned at your veterinarian and start a home dental care routine.  Be sure your pet is eating a well balanced diet. You can warm their food slightly or add a small amount of canned food to increase palatability.

You will most likely start to see some behavior changes in your senior pet. Many of these are associated with physical problems. Your pet may be less active due to joint stiffness and pain. An increase in drinking and urination can be a sign of liver and/or kidney issues.

Semiannual exams with your pet’s veterinarian can help detect early organ problems. Have your pet see your vet every six months to monitor bloodwork and physical changes that are happening.

Preparing your Pets for Boarding and Traveling

Summer vacations are quickly approaching, which means many pet owners may be traveling to visit friends and family. With all the hustle and bustle of travel plans being made it’s easy to forget about the necessary preparations and plans for Fido and Fluffy! Whether you will be kenneling Fido or bringing Fluffy along for the trip, Allentown Animal Clinic has the info on what you’ll need to know!

If you are kenneling your pet avoid the seasonal rush and be sure you have the following done a few weeks before you are set to travel.

• Visit the kennel before you drop off your pet. Most kennels welcome visits and it gives you a chance to ask any questions about the facility.
• If your pet is on medication, be sure you have enough to last through his/her entire stay. Also, you want to be sure the kennel staff can administer it properly. Some kennels, especially during peak seasons, may not be able to give medication as often as your pet requires.
• Most kennels will require a health certificate and a copy of your pet’s most recent vaccines.  Kennels can have different vaccine requirements as well, don’t just assume your pet has everything the kennel will require. Find out from the kennel what is required. Now is a good time to call your vet and be sure all required vaccines are up to date!
• If your pet has fleas, or other parasites, he/she should be treated prior to arrival at the kennel.

If you will be taking a road trip with your pet it will be a lot less stressful for them (and YOU!) if you make the necessary preparations well in advance.

• If your pet is not accustomed to being in the car, it’s up to you to change that prior to travel. Get your pet used to being in a carrier or a pet seat belt. It’s never safe to have a loose pet in the car. Start taking short trips to the park or grocery store before hitting the open road with your pet in tow.
• Don’t let your dog hang his/her head out the window. Debris from the road can hit your dog, causing possible injury and/or ear and eye infections.
• Take frequent breaks!
• Some pets do get carsick. Ask your veterinarian about appropriate medication and dosage before you leave.
• Bring along a health certificate and vaccination records. Also, be sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tags!
• Prepare an emergency medical kit. A familiar toy or blanket may also be useful.