How can you tell if your pet’s heart is pumping right?

How can you tell if your pet’s heart is pumping right?

Schedule your pet’s annual checkup today and let’s take a listen!

When you’re a pet owner, you know a lot about the health of your pet just by using your senses. You can see your pet’s eyes when they’re goopy. You can smell their ear infection a mile away. You can feel the lumps and bumps on their skin. But what about their heart? How do you know if that organ is healthy?

Heart disease affects pets of all ages. For example, certain breeds of dogs and cats are at a higher risk of heart disease at a young age. Others develop heart conditions later in life, when another illness crops up. Some pets develop heart disease at any age without noticeable signs. Yes, their heart may not be pumping right even though their tails are wagging and purring is at an all-time high!

If your pet’s heart is not checked regularly, your pet may be at risk for heart disease and in some cases, a shortened lifespan. The good news is, if caught early, most issues can be treated or managed successfully for years. And if your pet already has a heart condition but is regularly monitored by our practice, often we can slow its progression.

Schedule your pet’s yearly checkup. During the exam, we’ll take a listen to make sure your pet’s heart sounds right. We’ll also perform a few other easy tests if needed to keep your pet’s ticker in the best shape possible!

When we think of love, we think of hearts. And we love your pet. It’s why we do what we do. Make an appointment today by calling 615-672-0357!

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

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Pets and Fireworks Don't Mix!

Fireworks, picnics and other Fourth of July traditions can be great fun for people; but all of the festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals. Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; summer heat and travel can be dangerous; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it.

Whether or not you’re planning your own Independence Day celebration, it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after the July 4th festivities.

Preparing in advance:

• Make sure your pets – cats and dogs alike – have identification tags with up-to-date information. If you have horses, you might consider writing your contact information on your horses hoof during this stressful time.
• If your pets aren’t already microchipped, shchedule your pet for a Microchip Today. This simple procedure can greatly improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.
• If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information in the microchip registry is up-to-date.
• Take a current photo of all of your cats, dogs and horses – just in case.
• If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, or if you have reason to expect potentially harmful reactions, consider behavioral therapy to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian or behaviorist at White House Animal Hospital!
  
• Make sure the environment is safe and secure. If your neighbors set off fireworks at an unexpected time, is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? Are pasture fences secure enough to keep horses or other livestock confined? Evaluate your options, and choose the safest area for your animals; and make improvements if needed to make the area more secure.

Safety during July 4th celebrations:

• Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there’s great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.
• Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
• Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.
• If you’re hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests remain vigilant.
• Keep your pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks.
• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
• Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
• Avoid the urge to feed your pets table scraps or other foods intended for people. Be especially careful to keep them away from these common foods that are actually toxic.
  
• Remember that too much sun and heat (and humidity!) can be dangerous to pets. Keep them inside when it’s extremely hot/humid; make sure they have access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors; don’t leave them outside for extended periods in hot weather; and know the signs of heat Stroke.
• Never leave your pet in your car when it’s warm outside. Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than the air around them, and even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets.
  
• If you’re travelling out of town for the holiday, consider leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter or boarding them in a kennel. If you need to bring them with you, be sure you know how to keep them safe.
• Follow safe food handling and hygiene practices to protect your family and guests.

After the celebrations:

• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
• Check your pastures and remove debris to protect horses and livestock.
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

If you suspect your pet may have suffered a heat stroke, ingested a foreign object, or is having severe anxiety call White House Animal Hospital for help.  Call 615-672-0357 to get your pet in immediately. 

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

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Heat Stroke in Pets a Medical Emergency!

When an animal is in a situation where it becomes overheated it is vital that it receive immediate medical intervention. 

Signs of Heat Stroke in Pets

• Breathing difficulties as shown through:
• Rapid breathing that appears frantic, noisy
• Heavy panting
• Tongue and mucous membranes will appear bright red
• Saliva is thick and tenacious
• Animal will often vomit
• Taking a rectal temperature may confirm the diagnosis of heat stroke:
• Normal temperature <102.5°

When left untreated, further heat stroke symptoms may show in ways such as:

• Animal will appear unsteady and will stagger
• Bloody diarrhea may occur
• Lips and mucous membranes will change from bright red to pale blue or gray
• Animal will:
• Collapse
• Have seizures
• Fall into a coma
• Die

Treatment for Heat Stroke in Animals

Pets suffering from heat stroke require immediate care. The longer an animal goes without treatment, the greater the chances are for the animal to suffer irreversible damage. Treating the animal requires:

• Cooling its body down towards a normal temperature:
• Move the animal out from the source of the heat
• Using a rectal thermometer, begin monitoring the animal’s temperature every 10 minutes
• In more severe cases, the following procedures may be taken:
• Begin rapidly cooling the animal through methods such as:
• Wetting the animal down with a hose
• Immersing animal up to its neck in a tub of cool water, not ice water, for about 2 minutes
• Placing wet animal in front of an electric fan
• Applying cool packs or wet, cold towels to the armpits, groin, and on head
• Wiping the paws and pads with cool water
• Continue monitoring the rectal temperature until the temperature has lowered:
• For both dogs and cats: temperature under 103° F
• Once the animal’s temperature has been lowered, it is important to stop the cooling process and dry the animal off
• Continuing with the cooling process after the temperature has been lowered may produce hypothermia and shock

Immediately bring pets in to see the veterinarian following an episode of heat stroke. Animals can experience delayed and secondary complications that occur within hours or up to days later, for example:

• Kidney failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Seizures
• Laryngeal edema
• Spontaneous bleeding

If you suspect your pet may have suffered a heat stroke, take immediate steps to reduce the body temperature and call White House Animal Hospital for help.  Call 615-672-0357 to get your pet in immediately. 

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/

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Sources:

Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, 4th ed., D.M. Eldredge, L.D. Carlson, D.G. Carlson, J.M. Giffin

Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, 3rd ed., D.M. Eldredge, D.G. Carlson, L.D. Carlson, J.M. Giffin

Start summer off right

Schedule your pet’s annual checkup todayto be sure your pet is healthy!

It’s summer! Time for BBQs, long hikes and refreshing water play! You and your pet enjoy this time of year. It’s filled with activity, fun and food!

There are a few things we have to talk about. First, is your pet eating the right food for their lifestyle? Meeting your pet’s nutritional needs is vital to their health and happiness. So before you take your big hike with Fido or start your movie marathon on the couch with Fluffy, bring in your furry friend for their annual exam.

Second, if your pet is just 10% over their ideal body weight (that may mean 1 lb. for a 10 lb. cat), they are at risk for developing serious medical conditions. Who wants that for their buddy? No way, you say! Come in for a checkup and a pit stop at the scale!

Third, most “people” food is not good for pets, especially from the grill! For example, feeding your pet chicken bones can cause tooth fractures and tear up their digestive tract during digestion.

Fourth, come in today to ensure your pets vaccinations and monthly preventives (Heartworm, Flea, and Tick) are up to date before heading out to the beach, lake, or park.  Let us know your vacation destination to ensure proper protection from disease!

Make an online appointment for your pet’s annual checkup today – we’ll give them a thorough physical exam from nose to tail! And we’ll talk about what they’re eating and if we have to make any changes.

Who loves your pet besides you? White House Animal Hospital of Course! Book your pet’s yearly exam today online or call 615-672-0357 Today so we can keep your pet healthy and happy this summer!

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease: Is your dog protected

The warmer days of spring and summer offer more outdoor fun for people and dogs alike. These warmer times also offer greater opportunity for dog-to-dog contact and the spread of Bordetella bronchiseptica, one of the most common causes of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD).

This highly contagious disease, also known as “kennel cough,” goes beyond the kennel. Your dog can pick up kennel cough anywhere: doggy day care, dog parks, you name it. Your dog can be infected even through just a brief contact.

Dry, hacking cough, retching and a watery nose can be signs your dog may have Bordetella.
CIRD can affect dogs of any age and some can be infected before showing clinical signs. This
can make diagnosis challenging, making it best to take preventative measures and reduce
dog-to-dog contact.

Although this disease is treatable, prevention is the first line of defense. The veterinary team at
White House Animal Hospital reminds dog owners that prevention is easy and preferable to treatment.

Tips for prevention of Bordetella
• Avoid crowding and stress.
• Limit dog-to-dog contact.
• See us here at White House Animal Hospital for a vaccination to provide protection both at home and away.

Contact White House Animal Hospital to make an appointment for a risk assessment and more information on Bordetella and CIRD.  Schedule your pets appointment on online at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html

Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, AHT, BS, ABCDT 

White House Animal Hospital 615-672-0357

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Bones, Muscles and Joints

Keep your pet moving and grooving this spring
Schedule their yearly checkup today!

Musculoskeletal diseases (conditions that involve bones, muscles and joints) can affect pets of all ages. They can have aches and pains like we do. But sometimes these diseases are hard to spot. Think about your furry friend for a moment...

Have they stopped jumping on you when they greet you at the door?

Have they stopped perching on the window sill?

Is your pet acting “old?”

These changes in activity may be due to weather, age or good training. However, to guarantee your pet is at their best, we have to rule out they don’t have a hidden musculoskeletal problem. Infections, hormonal imbalances, nutrition, blood disorders and arthritis can all affect your pet's activity—the way they play, move, eat and cuddle!

The good news is we have ways to prevent, cure or manage these conditions, so your pet can continue to have a good quality of life. White House Animal Hospital offers Cold Laser Therapy, pain management, and joint supplements to provide your pet withe the best options to get moving again!  We are committed to the well-being of your pet for their lifetime. The best way to do this is to book your pet’s yearly checkup today. Make an appointment and together, we’ll keep your pet’s bones, muscles and joints (and the rest of your furry friend) in good working order!  Schedule your appointment today at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html!  

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/

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Q: Is your pet at risk for any of the following:

Q: Is your pet at risk for any of the following:

A) Fleas

B) Ticks

C) Worms

D) All of the above

A: D) All of the above (and they ALL can be tough to spot!)

Schedule your pet’s annual checkup today at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html to be sure your pet is healthy and enter your name in the drawing for a Free Supply of Vectra 3D!  Get one entry for every multi-pack of Vectra 3D purchase. 

Is your dog very tired? Is your cat eating less than usual? These seemingly minor changes may mean your pet has a flea allergy, an internal parasite infection, or a tick-related disease.

Let’s talk about fleas first. The majority of pets don’t have fleas—but many have been bitten because fleas are everywhere! Yes, fleas live outdoors but they can live indoors too – even in really clean homes – year-round in any climate. Fleas will gladly hitch a ride on your pet into your house. And all it takes is one flea bite (specifically the fleas saliva), to set off a full blown skin allergy. Pets may scratch their sides, neck or even lick their paws until they’re red and painful. What pet wants to move around or eat when feeling this miserable?

Internal parasites (such as worms) can infect your pet in a number of ways. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if your pet has them. But left untreated, worms can be dangerous to your pet’s internal organs. They can even cause your pet to lose blood.

Ticks are tricky. Even when you check your pet for ticks they can be tough to find because they’re small and hide well in dark fur. But it’s crucial to find ticks and remove them quickly. Why? Some ticks carry bacteria that cause disease (such as Lyme disease, but there are many others). And all you need is one undetected tick bite for your pet to become infected. They can become sick and develop kidney problems. At times, these diseases can be fatal.

Ugh! Is there any good news?

Yes!

We’re experts when it comes to flea allergies, tick and internal parasite checks at White House Animal Hospital. Even if your pet is on regular monthly preventive, it is still important for us to make sure your pet is healthy.  This month you have a chance to win a Free Years Supply of Vectra 3D with every multi-pack purchase of Vectra. Drawing May 1st and June 1st 2016!  

Make an appointment for your pet’s annual checkup today online at http://www.whitehousevet.com/contactus.html! – we’ll give them a thorough physical exam from nose to tail. Let’s also confirm the prevention you’re using is right for your pet!

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/