Pet Wellness Tips/Resources and Pet Wellness Month

Pet Wellness is important and National Pet Wellness Month every October is one way Veterinarians spread the word about keeping your pets healthy. Below are some tips and resources I have collected about Pet Wellness (October) and this special month. Enjoy!

National Pet Wellness Month is an educational initiative designed to raise awareness about the pet aging process, disease prevention and the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams for all cats and dogs. Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health, National Pet Wellness Month began in October 2004 and is a year-round campaign where pet owners can receive important information, tailored specifically to their pets, from their personal veterinarians. You can find out more information about Pet Wellness and National Pet Wellness Month at http://www.npwm.com.

Pets age 7 times faster, on average, than people. By age 2, most pets have already reached adulthood. At age 4, many are entering middle age. And by age seven, many dogs, particularly larger breeds, are considered "senior." What does this mean for your pet? First, because dogs and cats age more rapidly, dramatic health changes can occur in a very short amount of time. Second, as they age, pets can experience the same aches, pains and other health problems associated with aging in humans. Older dogs and cats are at higher risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer and other serious conditions. Many of these health problems are treatable if diagnosed in time but, unfortunately, many pets don't see their veterinarian as often as they should. Taking your dog or cat to the veterinarian once a year is the same as a person seeing a doctor or dentist just once every seven years! Twice-a-year wellness exams allow your veterinarian to detect, treat or, ideally, prevent problems before they become life threatening. They also provide you with the opportunity to ask your veterinarian questions about nutrition, behavior, dental health or other issues. The goal of a pet wellness program is to prevent or minimize disease or injury, improve your pet's quality of life, and help your pet enjoy a healthy life for as long as possible. Your veterinarian will accomplish this in several ways:
· Routine health screenings
· Ongoing communication between you and your veterinarian.
· Preserving the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

It’s not easy keeping our pets healthy. After all, dogs and cats are frequently exposed to organisms that can cause disease or illness. Even pets that never go outdoors are at risk. What’s more, pets age seven times faster, on average, than people. That means major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. Risk assessment is ideally performed at your veterinary clinic during the pet’s semi-annual wellness exam. A veterinarian or veterinary technician will ask you a variety of questions about your pet’s behavior, lifestyle, travel history and other factors. Your veterinarian will then use this information to develop an individualized disease prevention program that’s right for your pet and the disease threats in your area.
· Health - Your pet should see the veterinarian for a full check-up, shots and a heartworm blood test every year, and immediately if he is sick or injured.
· Dental Health - While many of us may object to our pet's bad breath, we should pay attention to what it may be telling us. Bad breath is most commonly an indication that your dog is in need of a dental check up. Dental plaque caused by bacteria results in a foul smell that requires professional treatment. After a professional cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can give you more tips on minimizing dental disease and bad breath. You can clean your canine’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a baking-soda-and-water paste once or twice a week. Use a child's soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.
· Some dogs are prone to periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the tooth and the gum. This painful condition can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean the teeth as a regular part of your dog's health program.
· Bad Breath- While bad breath caused by dental disease may not be too serious if caught early enough, some odors may be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. Liver or intestinal diseases may cause foul breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell may be indicative of diabetes. If your dog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you notice your pet has bad breath accompanied by other signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, excessive drinking or urinating, schedule a visit to the veterinarian.
· Fleas and Ticks - Daily inspections of your dog for fleas and ticks during the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new methods of flea and tick control. Speak to your veterinarian about these and other options. Disease carrying ticks, mosquitoes and fleas, as well as diseases from wildlife, other pets and even standing water, can present a potential health threat to your pet. Protecting your cat or dog from these threats can be difficult, especially if your pet enjoys the outdoors. That's why your veterinarian may recommend a prevention program to protect your pet before it encounters a disease threat. Brush your pet after each outing. Use tick/flea treatments or medications as recommended by your veterinarian to kill fleas and ticks on your pet. Ask your veterinarian how you can protect your pet from Lyme disease through vaccination. Cut or mow tall brush or grass where your pet plays. Do daily "tick checks" on yourself, pet and children. Use tweezers to remove any ticks you find, and apply antiseptic to the affected area. Vacuum your house and wash your pet's bedding regularly to remove flea eggs and larvae.
· Heartworm - This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be fatal. Your dog should have a blood test for heartworm every spring—this is crucial for detecting infections from the previous year. A once-a-month pill given during mosquito season will protect your dog. If you travel south with your pet during the winter, your dog should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some warmer regions, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication throughout the year.
· Medicines and Poisons - Never give your dog medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. For example, did you know that one regular-strength ibuprofen tablet can cause stomach ulcers in a ten-pound dog? Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your pet. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426-4435.
· Spaying and Neutering - Females should be spayed—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the testicles—by six months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal disease of older female dogs. Spaying also eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, a very serious problem in older females that requires surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males prevents testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
· Vaccinations - Puppies should be vaccinated with a combination vaccine (called a “5-in-1”) at two, three and four months of age, and then once annually. This vaccine protects the puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. A puppy's vaccination program cannot be finished before four months of age. Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and American Staffordshire terriers/pit bulls should be vaccinated until five months of age. If you have an unvaccinated dog older than four or five months, he will need a series of two vaccinations given two to three weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination. Do not walk your puppy or unvaccinated dog outside or let her walk or sit on the floor of an animal hospital until several days after her final vaccination. Since laws vary around the country, contact a local veterinarian for information on rabies vaccination. In New York City, for example, the law requires all pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. The first rabies vaccine must be followed by a vaccination a year later, and then every three years. There are a variety of vaccines that may or may not be appropriate for your pet. Your veterinarian can tell you about them. Please note, if your pet gets sick because he is not properly vaccinated, the vaccination should be given after your companion animal recovers.
· Worms - Dogs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs produced by intestinal worms are passed in an infected dog’s feces. Most puppies, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry roundworms or hookworms. The key to treatment is correct diagnosis. This will ensure that the medication is effective against the parasite your pet has. A dewormer that eliminates roundworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best determine the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate medication.

WHEN TO CALL A VET FOR YOUR PETS – HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR PET IS SICK
· Dogs and Cats - Inability to move, Constant coughing, sneezing or gagging, Loss of appetite for more than three meals, Swelling around the face and head, Bloody urine, Distended stomach, Neck or back pain, Straining to urinate or defecate, Changes in poop or pee color, size, consistency, how times a day or method, Abnormal discharge from eyes, ears or nose, Eating changes – too fast, too slow, Drooling excessively, Changes in sleep habits, Panting outside of heat, Any bumps or curves, or abnormal weight feeling, Obesity, Bad breath, Changes to teeth and gums color, Ear nose and throat changes – extreme wetness, extreme dryness, thinning, color changes, Changes to coat texture and shine, Changes to how they walk or trot, Difficultlies in running, clmbing or jumping, Excessive water drinking except in hot weather, If it’s been longer than 6 months.
· Birds - Behavioral signs in birds such as sleeping later in the morning, sleeping more during the day, irritability, Unusual complacence, Eating more selectively and picking at food, Eating less, Vocalizing less, A change in the character of the voice or hoarseness, Coughing or sneezing, Different breathing pattern, Making unusual sounds when breathing, Runny nose, Matted eyes, Matted feathers on the face and head, Diarrhea, Black stools, Weight loss, Any swelling, perhaps under the eyes or on the legs, Irregular discoloration of the feathers, Fluffed appearance to feathering, Loss of feathers, Scaling or crusting of skin, Increased temperature of feet or beak, changes in poop
· Reptiles and Amphibians – burns, appetite or water drinking changes, pneumonia, changes to color in skin, animal does not shed, changes in stool, changes in behavior – please note that often times how your habitat is maintain and proper nutrition will prevent these issues.
· Guinea Pigs/Rabbits/Caged pets – please note that often times how your habitat is maintain and proper nutrition will prevent these issues but be on the look out for appetite or water drinking changes, changes to stool, changes to behavior, blistering of the mouth, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, weight gain, if they appear to be sick, long nails, not vaccinated, if they are listless, huddling in a corner all day long, a dull matted coat, refusing food, labored breathing, runny nose, watery eyes, constipation, sneezing, coughing, has nasal discharge, a runny nose and eyes, blood in urine, teeth are not wearing down normally, hairballs in rabbits,
· Aquarium Pets – please note that habitat maintain, proper nutrition and aquarium care will prevent much of the issues associated with aquatic pets seeking veterinary care. If you practice healthy fish tank methods you should be just fine. But be on the look out for the following as it may be time to see a vet: stress, changes in behavior or changes in physical appearance.

HOLISTIC MEDICATIONS – WHAT ARE THE DANGERS
Information summarized courtesy of by: Dr. Amy Wolff

· Natural Diets and Vitamin Supplementation - A vegetarian diet for dogs, which are omnivores, is possible. On the other hand, cats cannot thrive on a vegetarian diet. If you are considering preparing your pet’s food at home, ask your veterinarian for recipes that give proper balance of nutrients and instructions for preparing and storing it safely. There is also the general feeling that a home cooked meal is just better. Ingredients, preparation and freshness can be controlled when the diet is made at home. But it takes careful research to balance a home cooked meal with the necessary amounts of nutrients. There are many components to producing a well-balanced diet for your pet with regard to primary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. A common feeling is that if vitamins and minerals are helpful in small amounts, then large amounts must be better. Caution must be used here since overdoses of vitamins can cause serious illness. An overdose of vitamin A can cause bone disease; large doses of vitamin C can cause stomach upsets; imbalances of vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium can lead to bone demineralization. If you include raw meats in the diet, bacterial contamination becomes a concern. The same goes for raw eggs. Raw eggs also contain a protein that interferes with the absorption of B vitamins.
· Herbal Supplements and Cures - Medicines from plants have been used for thousands of years to prevent or cure a wide variety of ailments. While most plants used have beneficial properties, it is important to remember that the strength of the plant’s active ingredients will vary with the variety of herb and the horticultural practices used to grow them. Herbs can be sprayed with pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers. They may have been fertilized with improperly prepared compost, which can harbor harmful bacteria. They may produce more than one active compound causing unwanted side effects. They may worsen some medical conditions. There are no standards for quality control in production and dosages. Many have vomiting and diarrhea as a side effect. Onion, garlic, pennyroyal, and ginseng are a few of the commonly used herbal preparations that can cause toxicities if used inappropriately. Even if your pet is taking an herbal supplement without complication, make sure your veterinarian knows what you are giving. Some herbs interfere with other health concerns and other medications.
· Acupuncture, Acupressure, Chiropractic and Massage - Used as additions to pain relief and management of chronic conditions, acupuncture, acupressure and chiropractic can be extremely beneficial in making your pet more comfortable. Massage can be very helpful in helping rehabilitate injury and increasing range of motion. The biggest concern for this growing area of veterinary medicine is making sure you have qualified professionals who have completed recognized courses of study in the treatment of animal diseases. None of these procedures should be performed by novices. Before beginning any health care program, talk to your pet’s veterinarian. Many clinics are incorporating these strategies into your pet’s total health care picture. It is unwise to go to your local health store and buy a variety of herbs and supplements to add to your pet’s regimen without this consultation. Any illness or sudden change in your pet’s behavior should have a medical check up before initiating any treatments, herbal or otherwise.

Ten things you should never give your pet CATS AND DOGS
1. Make no bones about it -- bones are bad for animals!
2. Chocolate can be lethal to pets because it contains theobromine, which causes increased heart rate, central nervous system stimulation and constriction of arteries. Clinical symptoms range from vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and excitability to cardiac failure, seizures and death. This can occur as quickly as four to six hours after ingestion. Baking chocolate is the worst because it contains the highest amount of theobromine.
3. Alcohol is also very bad for cats and dogs.
4. Milk is also not good for animals because many of them are lactose intolerant and will develop diarrhea.
5. Ham and other salty meats and foods are very dangerous to pets. In addition to being high in fat, they are also very salty which can cause serious stomach ache or pancreatitis. Also, large breeds of dogs that eat salty food may drink too much water and develop a life-threatening condition called "bloat."
6. Onions are toxic to pets. They contain allyl propyl disulfide, which damages their red blood cells and can cause fatal consequences in animals. They may become anemic, weak and have trouble breathing.
7. Caffeine is also bad for pets. It contains methylated xanthine that, like chocolate, stimulates the central nervous and cardiac systems and within several hours can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations and even death.
8. Avocados are also bad for pets. First, they are really high in fat and can cause stomach upset, vomiting and even pancreatitis. Second, the pit is also toxic and can get lodged in the intestinal tract leading to a severe blockage, which may require surgery.
9. Tuna Fish is bad for cats. The feline heart muscle requires an amino acid called taurine to maintain normal strength and function. Regular tuna fish for humans does not have this amino acid and cats that eat too much tuna fish will develop heart problems. If you want to give your cats that taste of tuna that they love, just make sure it is tuna fish for cats which has this amino acid added.
10. Raisins and grapes can lead to kidney failure in pets.

PET HEALTH CARE/VETS/LOW INCOME
Animal Emergency Clinic - http://www.AnimalEmergencySD.com
Animal ER of San Diego - (858) 569-0600, 5610 Kearny Mesa Road San Diego, CA 92111
Animal Hospitals USA - http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com
Animal Urgent Care of Escondido - http://www.AUC.US.com
AVMA - http://www.avma.org
California Veterinary Specialists - http://www.CaliforniaVeterinarySpecialists.com
Classic Green Light Insurance – Pet Insurance packages – http://www.classicgreenlight.com
DNA Testing Company to Determine Dog Breed - http://www.whatsmydog.com
Harmony Animal Hospital - http://www.petvets.com
Holistic Veterinary Care – http://www.animalhealingcenter.net
Nonprofit Veterinary Organization - nonprofit org that provides free veterinary aid - http://www.worldvets.org
Pet Assistance Foundation - http://www.orgsites.com/ca/pet-assistance
Pet Emergency & Specialty - http://www.PESCSanDiego.com
SNAP – Spay Neuter Action - http://www.Snap-SanDiego.org
Swim Therapy - http://www.cuttingedgek9.com
VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center - http://www.VCAEmergency.com
VCA North Coast Veterinary & Emergency - http://www.VCANorthCoast.com
Veterinary Specialty Hospital - http://www.VSHSD.com