Spaying and Neutering

I'm sure everyone knows to spay and neuter your pets because we've heard the message our whole lives. Even Bob Barker told us to "Help control the pet populations, have your pets spayed and neutered" at the end of every Price is Right show he hosted. Population control is a very important reason to have dogs and cats spayed and neutered, but there are other reasons as well. Having your dog spayed before her first heat cycle will pretty much guarantee that she will not get mammary cancer later in life.  Neutering dogs will prevent them from getting testicular cancer and also will greatly decrease their chances of having prostate problems. Neutering dogs and cats will keep them at home and not out chasing females in heat. Speaking of which, males can smell females in heat up to a mile away, and they will get out to find that female. We recommend to have your cats and dogs spayed and neutered between 5 and 6 months of age. It's the best thing for your pet!!!

German Shepherds

German Shepherds are a very strong breed of dog. They can be black and tan, solid white, or solid black in color. They have a slightly elongated back and most appear to be crouching down on their rear legs when walking. They have a long bushy tail that is held down when at rest. German Shepherds usually weigh between 70 and 85 pounds and their normal lifespan is around 13 years. German Shepherds can be predisposed to having hip dysplasia, inflammation of their corneas (keratitis), clotting disorders, and digestive problems. German Shepherds do shed and should be brushed once daily to minimize the shedding in your home. German Shepherds require exercise and do best when they have a fenced in back yard to run and play. This is a very loyal dog breed.

Don't Forget To Brush!!

Patient before having his teeth cleaned with tartar and heavy staining on his canine teeth, premolars, and molars

Patient after dental. Look at those pearly whites!!!

Dental disease is one of the major problems seen in veterinary medicine, both in dogs and in cats. Tartar can build up on the animal's teeth and harden to form plaque. Once the plaque reaches a certain point, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease form. If left unchecked, periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the blood stream and cause heart, liver, and kidney problems. It is very important to have your pet's teeth examined by your veterinarian every 6-12 months. A dental can be performed on your dog or cat that involves ultrascaling and polishing just like at your dentist. Extractions may also be needed if there are any loose teeth or root exposure. The pet comes in the morning of the procedure (with no food or water past midnight the night before) and bloodwork is performed to make sure the pet is healthy enough to be put under anesthesia. If the bloodwork is normal, the patient is anesthetized and the teeth are scaled and polished. The pet wakes up a short time later and can go home late that same afternoon. If your pet's breath stinks or you notice a discoloration of the teeth or gums, have the teeth checked by your vet. Once the heavy tartar is removed during the procedure, owners can start brushing the pet's teeth at home. This is done using a toothpaste made specifically for pets and a small pet toothbrush. The teeth should be brushed at least 4 times a week to hopefully make a difference and prolong the time in between professional dentals.

There won't be a blog post Friday or Monday so have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter!!!

What's A Combo Test?

When you take your new kitten or stray adult cat to the vet for the first time, they are going to ask if you want a combo test. A combo test is a snap style test that takes 8 minutes to run. It tests for the Feline Leukemia Virus and the Feline Aids Virus (FIV). Feline Leukemia Virus is an infectious disease that is spread through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, and feces from one cat to another. The virus can be spread from a mother cat to her kittens before birth or through the milk during nursing. Cat bite wounds are another important way the virus is spread. The Feline Leukemia Virus affects the cat's immune system and makes it difficult for it to fight off infections. So, these cats are more likely to be sickly and develop problems like upper respiratory infections. It can also cause cancer and certain blood disorders. Early on in the infection, leukemia positive cats may not show any clinical signs at all. As the virus progresses, these cats may have a loss of appetite, have an unkept haircoat, diarrhea, and eye problems. These cats usually do not live as long as cats without the virus. There is a vaccination to prevent this disease.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV or Feline Aids) is a disease that is spread through cat bites (saliva to blood). Not all FIV positive mother cats spread this disease to their kittens, but it is possible. Clinical signs of FIV are similar to the leukemia virus and can be nonspecific. There is a vaccine for FIV and all cats that go outdoors should be vaccinated. Once the cat is vaccinated, it will always show up positive for FIV on the snap test. So, it is very important to let the vet know if he/she has been previously vaccinated. It is also a good idea to have the cat microchipped and the online database with the cat's information will show that it has been vaccinated against FIV. This way, if the cat is ever picked up by someone and taken to a shelter or vet, it will be microchipped and they will know it has had the vaccine and doesn't have the actual virus.

Free To A Good Home

This sweet black lab was found by a loving family who unfortunately can't keep him. He is about a year old, up to date on vaccines, and house trained. If anyone is interested, please contact Gary at  229-344-1845.

Boxers

Boxers are a wonderful dog breed!! They are originally from Germany and get their name from the way they throw their front legs out like they are boxing. They are extremely muscular, very loyal, and super cute. Boxers are very loyal dogs and are known for how well they interact with kids. They come in fawn, brindle, tan, and black with white markings. Boxers can also be white, but most of these are deaf. The tails are usually docked by the breeder at three days of age to a short nub. The ears are naturally floppy, but some prefer to have them cropped and trained to stand up. Boxers normally weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, with males usually weighing more than females. Some health problems associated with boxers include heart problems, thyroid disease, and skin issues. Just like any other large breed dog, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia and knee problems (torn ligaments). As boxers get older, they are more likely than most breeds to get cancer.  Boxers need daily exercise to stay fit and happy and to release some of their energy. The life expectancy is between 11 and 14 years of age.

UPDATES

Happy Friday everyone!!! Just wanted to take a minute to update everyone on an earlier post. All of these animals have found loving homes!!! Just wanted to say thank you to the new owners for opening up your homes to these wonderful pets. Have a great weekend!!

Free To Loving Home

One of our clients is having to move and can't take her cats with her. They are both almost 4 years old, front declawed, and indoor cats. One cat is grey and white Domestic Longhair with green eyes and the other is an orange and white Domestic Shorthair. Please call Amanda if interested at 344-6309.

Let's Talk About Cats

Cats are funny creatures that provide hours of entertainment and companionship for their owners. Cats, just like dogs, have their own sets of problems. One of the most common problems they have is developing upper respiratory infections. The cause of these infections is usually an underlying herpes or calici virus that the cat develops as a kitten. The virus can stay in the cat's body its whole life without necessarily causing any clinical signs (latent/dormant virus) and then one day something (like a stressful situation) can bring out the clinical signs. Clinical signs of upper respiratory infections include runny eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Most congested cats are not going to want to eat because they can't smell their food. If a cat doesn't eat for multiple days, this can lead to other problems including what's called a fatty liver. Sometimes cats can clear this infection on their own, but most of the time they need to see a veterinarian. Oral or injectable anitibiotics can be used along with an eye ointment to help clear up this infection. These upper respiratory infections are contagious to other cats, causing lots of problems for owners in a multi-cat household. Cats do get vaccinated to help prevent against these agents that cause upper respiratory infections. This unfortunately doesn't mean they will never develop an upper respiratory infection, but hopefully will be able to get well faster. Vaccinations will be a topic for another day (what they are and what they are for).

Kitten with runny eyes and nasal discharge caused by an upper respiratory infection

Pet Obesity

According to the Association For Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of America's dogs and cats are overweight. Besides being unsightly, being overweight can cause many physical problems for pets. An overweight dog is more likely to have arthritis problems as they get older as well as other orthopedic problems. Increased body weight puts them at risk for rupturing their cranial cruciate ligament (like ACL in humans) in their knee, requiring surgical repair. Overweight dogs and cats are more likely to have heart problems and have trouble breathing than their lighter counterparts. Obesity in cats can lead to diabetes and increased blood pressure which can both be life threatening. So, bottom line, a pet with an ideal body weight will likely live longer than one who is overweight. An ideal body weight differs from animal to animal, but there are a few guidelines to follow. The animal should have a visible waist line and you should be able to feel the ribs without seeing them. If you think your pet is overweight, set up an appointment with your vet to talk about a plan of action before it is too late. If your dog is unable to lose weight on a reduced calorie diet with increased exercise, he/she could have a thyroid problem. If your pet is overwight, there are low calorie foods that can be fed to lower the weight at a safe rate. Be sure to check the back of the bag for the daily amount your pet should receive. You should feed for the ideal weight (weight your pet should weigh) not the actual weight of your pet. This is where your vet can help out!! Treats can be high in calories, so try to limit the treats that are fed. Raw baby carrots provide a crunchy and sweet treat and most dogs love them!! Increased exercise is also great for both dogs and cats. Cat trees and toys provide opportunities for cats to run and climb. If you don't have a fenced in yard for your dog to run and play, just grab a leash and go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful weather before the heat arrives!!!

The Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

Each Monday we will showcase a different breed of dogs so everyone can get more familiar with different breeds. Today, we will focus on yorkies. Yorkies are a small/toy breed dogs who normally weigh anywhere from 3-15 pounds. They were originally developed in Yorkshire, England to catch mice in clothing mills.They have an outgoing personality and provide endless hours of entertainment!! Yorkies are considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed and are great for people with allergies. Yorkies have a black and tan coat color as puppies and it can slowly develop into a blue/grey color as they get older. The average lifespan of a yorkie is 12-15 years. Just like other small breed dogs, yorkies tend to have heavy tartar build up on their teeth and need to have regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Other health problems that yorkies can have include collapsing trachea, luxating patella (knee cap), cataracts, and skin problems. Yorkies do require grooming to maintain their beautiful hair coat on a regular basis. This is a wonderful companion breed that enjoys both sitting in their owner's lap and playing/going for walks. I happen to have two yorkies and I am a little biased, but they are the best dogs ever!! Mine love to play with tennis balls and will actually throw them at you. There's never a dull moment around my house!!

It's Easter Bunny Time!!!

It seems that the Easter Bunny loves to bring lots of candy and chocolate to kids of all ages. So, I thought this would be a great time to talk about chocolate toxicity. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog. Milk chocolate is not as dangerous as semi-sweet or baker's chocolate. White chocolate isn't really chocolate and will mostly just cause diarrhea and possible vomiting from the large amount of sugar in it. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine which is in the same family as caffeine. The amount of chocolate the dog eats and the size of the dog all play a role in how toxic the chocolate can be. Theobromine can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. If your dog eats chocolate, you may see restlessness, increased heart rate, diarrhea, vomiting, and hyper-excitability. If your dog eats chocolate, it is best to call your veterinarian to discuss a plan of action. In most cases, it is a good idea for your veterinarian to make them vomit to ensure that there won't be any problems. If the dog eats baker's chocolate, he/she will most likely need hospitalization and treatment with IV fluids and supportive care after he/she is made to vomit. So, as Easter nears, don't forget to keep a close eye on your dog and try to keep the candy out of reach. HAPPY EASTER!!!

Just Another Day At The Spa

Cumulus Broadcasting has started a Picture Perfect Pet Page on several of their radio station websites. Pet owners can send in a picture of their pet (any type including but not limited to: dogs, cats, fish, birds reptiles, amphibians, etc) and one winner will be chosen each month as the cutest. The winner will receive a spa day here at Bush Animal Clinic where he/she will get a bath, ear cleaning, nail trim, and receive a special spa gift bag. Pictured above is the March winner. This is Azula, a pit bull, which happens to be a patient at Bush Animal Clinic. She seemed to love her spa day and was truly pampered (all the way down to having her nails painted hot pink!!!). She is pictured here with her owner, Mr. Daniels. So, be sure to enter your pet's perfect picture today and he/she may be next month's winner!!!

How Exactly Do I Give Him That Pill?????

Patients come in every day with a medical condition that requires them to be on oral medication. Most of the medications for dogs and cats come in pill form, so clients are always asking the secret to getting them to take the pills. Some dogs and cats do well with just putting the pill on the back of their tongue, closing their mouth, and blowing in their nose (this makes them swallow). However, some patients are very difficult to pill and it becomes very frustrating for everyone involved. Well, if your dog/cat loves treats, there is an easier way to give them medicine. Pill Pockets are a meat flavored treats that are about the consistency of play dough. There is an opening in the center of the treat where you can place the pill and then seal it up in the treat. They come in beef and chicken flavors for dogs and salmon flavor for cats. So, if you're having trouble pilling your pet, try this and see if it will make medicine time a little more enjoyable.

Stormy Weather

It looks like all of Southwest Georgia had a rough night with storms last night judging by all of the debris in yards. I hope all of our clients and friends have escaped unharmed. The local news has been warning of the severity of this storm system for a few days and they were right. It's amazing to me how animals can sense that a storm is coming long before it gets here. Growing up, my chocolate lab would start running laps around our yard about 2 hours before a storm came through and right before the thunder started, he would get in his dog house. He was like our own personal radar system. Storms definitely affect animals differently. My black lab and one of my yorkies is terrified of storms. They both cower down, tremble, and pant a little while before it starts thundering and then are miserable during the storm. On the other hand, my boxer mix loves the rain and runs around outside like a fool during the storm. It's so funny how different dogs can be!! I say all of this to make people aware that some dogs do need some help getting through these SW GA thunderstorms. Behavior modification sometimes will help. A cd of thunderstorm noises can be played softly for a week, then gradually, start increasing the volume in hopes that the dog will adjust and not be afraid of the noise anymore. I do think this works on some dogs that have mild storm anxiety. It probably won't work on dogs that have terrible storm anxiety. They can sense the pressure change in the air and get anxious just thinking about the rain and thunder. For these dogs, anxiety medication is often needed to help ease their nerves and allow them to relax. If your dog is suffering from storm anxiety, talk to your vet and get him/her some help before the next storm hits.

April Fools

On Friday, Kaley, one of our receptionists, brought in some homemade double chocholate cookies for us to enjoy. (We have some amazing bakers on staff here and Kaley is definitley one of them. She made some chocolate cupcakes that were to die for a few weeks ago.) Snacks and goodies that are put on the back counter are fair game for everyone to share. About mid-morning, everyone was getting hungry and Deborah (the chocoholic) was the first to dig into them. She took one bite and tried to think of words to describe what she had tasted. Kaley asked if she liked them and Deborah (not wanting to hurt her feelings) lied and said they were ok. A little while later, Becca took one of the cookies, took a bite, and made a horrible face. Kaley asked what was wrong and Becca said they were a bit salty. Magen was the next to try one, took a bite, then spit it out and said they were horrible. Let's just say they had the consistency of play dough. Kaley (not being able to take it any longer) broke down and said, "April Fools!!!" Turns out, these cookies were made out of some cocoa powder, eggs, cheese, a lot of salt, and some olive juice. That was pretty good, Kaley. You definitely got us all on this one!!!

Becca "enjoying" one of Kaley's cookies

FREE TO A LOVING HOME!!!!

• Gypsie is a 5 year old, spayed female black and grey Persian
• Shiloh is a 5 year old, male neutered black and grey Persian
• Zoro is a 2 year old, male neutered black and grey Persian
• Allie is a 2 year old, spayed female white Domestic Shorthair (She currently has a mohawk!!!)

All four cats are up to date on vaccines and are indoors only. They belong to a wonderful owner who takes great care of them but unfortunately has to travel a lot and feels it would be best to find them a new home with someone who can spend more time with them. These cats are the sweetest cats!!!

• Emma is a  2 year old female black and tan coondog. She needs lots of room to run and a family to give her the love she deserves!!! Emma is not spayed, but the current owner will pay for her surgery if she finds the right home.

Please call our office at 439-7073 if you can give any of these special animals a loving home!!!

Welcome!!!

Good morning!!! Thank you for stopping in to check out our new blog. Our hope is that you will stop in daily to see what is going on at Bush Animal Clinic. Some days will be filled with humor, laughter, and fun pictures while others  will be filled with medical topics and some of our cases. If you ever have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them for us in the comments section. We will also feature different staff members so that you can get to know the people who are taking care of your pets.