Monday, November 21, 2016

Pack your bags......

Pack your bags.
Pack your car.
Pack your sleigh.
But don’t let your pet pack on the holiday pounds.


Holiday season is upon us — a busy time of year for festivities, family and of course, lots of eating! Did you know that if a ten-pound cat ate just one ounce of cheddar cheese from your hors d’oeuvres, it would be the same as if a person ate three and a half hamburgers or four chocolate bars? Gaining those “holiday pounds” is not just a problem for humans, but also for our four-legged friends.

Research shows that pets are more likely to gain unwanted pounds during this holiday period than any other time of year. What pet can resist a potato chip, onion dip or chocolate? (Wait, you know better than to feed them that!)  

Obesity is the leading medical problem in pets. When a pet is too chubby, not only may they have little energy to walk or play, but also studies have shown that pets who are overweight may have a shortened life span.

How can you tell if your pet is at the right weight?

It can be hard to know because for many pets, they don’t get a big round belly. Instead, the extra fat is well hidden inside your pet’s body, tucked between their vital organs. So let us check! Our veterinary practice team has a trained eye to best assess your pet’s weight. Bring your pet in for their yearly exam and we’ll take a look at their body condition and nutritional needs. If we determine your pet needs to lose a few pounds, don’t worry. We’ll come up with a plan that will keep you and your pet sailing through the holiday season.




Call White House Animal Hospital today to schedule your pet’s yearly checkup. Happy holidays and remember, pack your suitcase. Pack a trunk. It’s even fine to pack a sleigh. But don’t let your pet pack on the pounds!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 
White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WHPetVet
Follow us on Pintrest at https://www.pinterest.com/WHPETVET/

Tips for Safe Flea Prevention!

Always read all label information before applying medications to your pet,
and ask yourself these questions:


                Is my pet the right age for this product?
                Many flea medications are not labeled for use in puppies or kittens under 6                             months of age.
      
                Do I have the right species of pet for this medication?
                There can be potentially fatal reactions with some dog flea medications when                         applied to cats or rabbits.
               
                Am I about to apply this in the right way?
                Is this something that you apply to the skin or give by mouth?
 
                Is there a health reason that my pet should not have this medication?
                Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has any health conditions or is                     pregnant or nursing.


                If you have a cat, talk to your vet to make sure medications you use for your dog                 are safe around your cat.




Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. (Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and it can be tempting to say that the medication is not working after a day or so and try another product.) While some flea medications work in different ways and can be used together, many are in the same class of medications, and can build up to toxic levels when used together.

Make sure your veterinarian is your primary source for information about flea medications, not the Internet.
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum) are commonly recommended online to treat or prevent fleas—but these can cause serious and potentially life-threatening issues. If you want to use alternative flea control or prevention, speak with your vet first to see what they recommend and how to use it most effectively.

Always double-check everything before you apply flea medications to your pet. Many homes have multiple pets and therefore several different flea medications.

If you accidentally get a topical medication in your pet’s eye, first rinse the eye with a sterile eye irrigation solution or room-temperature tap water. Next, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and signs to monitor for.

If your pet licks some of the medication off his or her body, give them a small amount of their food to help relieve the bad taste. Blot the area with a paper towel. Next, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and what to watch for.

If you mistakenly apply a dog flea medication to a cat and the cat starts to have shaking, convulsions or seizures, take them immediately to White House Animal Hospital. These signs may take up to 48 hours to occur. If you realize that you have put a dog flea medication on your cat and they aren’t showing any signs yet, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately. 

White House Animal Hospital has several options available to you, schedule today by calling 615-672-0357 or online for your Flea/Tick preventive consultation.  Walk out the door with treatment in hand or have it shipped to your door through our Online Pharmacy!




Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 
White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WHPetVet
Follow us on Pintrest at https://www.pinterest.com/WHPETVET/

Tips for Safe Flea Prevention!

Always read all label information before applying medications to your pet,
and ask yourself these questions:


                Is my pet the right age for this product?
                Many flea medications are not labeled for use in puppies or kittens under 6                             months of age.
      
                Do I have the right species of pet for this medication?
                There can be potentially fatal reactions with some dog flea medications when                         applied to cats or rabbits.
               
                Am I about to apply this in the right way?
                Is this something that you apply to the skin or give by mouth?
 
                Is there a health reason that my pet should not have this medication?
                Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has any health conditions or is                     pregnant or nursing.


                If you have a cat, talk to your vet to make sure medications you use for your dog                 are safe around your cat.




Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. (Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and it can be tempting to say that the medication is not working after a day or so and try another product.) While some flea medications work in different ways and can be used together, many are in the same class of medications, and can build up to toxic levels when used together.

Make sure your veterinarian is your primary source for information about flea medications, not the Internet.
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum) are commonly recommended online to treat or prevent fleas—but these can cause serious and potentially life-threatening issues. If you want to use alternative flea control or prevention, speak with your vet first to see what they recommend and how to use it most effectively.

Always double-check everything before you apply flea medications to your pet. Many homes have multiple pets and therefore several different flea medications.

If you accidentally get a topical medication in your pet’s eye, first rinse the eye with a sterile eye irrigation solution or room-temperature tap water. Next, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and signs to monitor for.

If your pet licks some of the medication off his or her body, give them a small amount of their food to help relieve the bad taste. Blot the area with a paper towel. Next, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for additional steps to take and what to watch for.

If you mistakenly apply a dog flea medication to a cat and the cat starts to have shaking, convulsions or seizures, take them immediately to White House Animal Hospital. These signs may take up to 48 hours to occur. If you realize that you have put a dog flea medication on your cat and they aren’t showing any signs yet, contact White House Animal Hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately. 

White House Animal Hospital has several options available to you, schedule today by calling 615-672-0357 or online for your Flea/Tick preventive consultation.  Walk out the door with treatment in hand or have it shipped to your door through our Online Pharmacy!




Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 
White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WHPetVet
Follow us on Pintrest at https://www.pinterest.com/WHPETVET/

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Best Way to Show Thanks this Season is with an Annual Checkup...

All pets come with special care instructions. Feed daily, love forever and yearly checkups. We know you have the first two covered, but what about the last one? Yearly checkups are equally as important! They are essential to your furry friend’s happiness and well-being. They are the best way to keep your pet healthier, longer!

During our veterinarian’s physical exam, your pet gets checked from tongue to teeth to toes to tail. (Plus all the parts in between!) Our in-depth, medical checkup not only assesses your pet’s current health status, but also helps to prevent future problems, such as obesity, periodontal disease and diabetes. At this time, it also provides us with the opportunity to discuss all the ways to keep your pal in good shape and to answer your questions. We can cover any topic you want in the comfort of our exam room.

Yes, all pets do come with special care instructions:
Feed daily (but not from the Thanksgiving dinner table)
Love forever (you do that the best!)
Yearly checkups (we’re here to ensure your pet stays healthy!)
Stay Safe this Holiday Season! 




We’re grateful for your trust in us to recommend what’s best for your pet. Call us at 615-672-0357 to make an appointment for your pet’s yearly checkup or schedule online today! Your pet will be thankful too.



Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at White House Animal Hospital! 


Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 
White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pethospital/
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WHPetVet
Follow us on Pintrest at https://www.pinterest.com/WHPETVET/