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August 22, 2019
dog in car

August is National Immunization Month

Hello August! Some of our favorite things begin in August, things such as football and cooler weather. August is also National Immunization Month. There’s a lot of hype surrounding immunizations in our children. Although we aren’t going to weigh in on that topic, immunizations in pets are important and should be taken seriously. Immunizations help prevent diseases that in the long run can cost you a lot of money and your pet his or her life or quality of life.

What immunizations does my pet need?

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, cats should be given immunizations, every three years, for core diseases such as:
• Rhinotracheitis
• Calivirus
• Rabies
• distemper

Dogs should be given immunizations for core diseases every one to three years:
• distemper
• rabies
• adenovirus
• Bordetella (parvovirus)

There are other vaccines that can be given and recommended depending on the pet.

Why does my pet need these immunizations?

Of course, the biggest concern that prompts one to give immunizations is to keep your pet (and your family) healthy, but there are other reasons to take into consideration.

One reason it’s important to keep immunizations up to date is boarding. Most, if not all, boarders are going to require you to provide proof of immunizations. They want to know that the pets they are keeping aren’t going to get each other sick.

Another reason is if for any reason you come in contact with animal control, you want those vaccinations up to date. No one ever thinks their pet will be one that animal control is called on. But it happens. For example, if someone’s dog bites someone else and animal control is contacted, the dog is typically put into quarantine for a number of days. The owner must show proof that the dog is up to date on their rabies shot. If not, the owner of the dog can be cited. If so and the dog checks out ok during quarantine, typically you’re able to go back to your everyday life.

Immunizations in pets can keep them healthy and keep your family healthy. They can also help the owner avoid high vet bills for preventable diseases. They can help avoid not being able to board his or her dog and help avoid costly fines if his or her dog encounters animal control for any reason. Take note and remember that vaccines are a lot less costly than the ramifications that can come from not having your pet vaccinated.

June 3, 2019
microchipping

June Is National Microchipping Month

For any pet owner, the fear of losing your pet is a real fear. But thankfully, there is technology that can help ease that fear: microchipping. June is National Microchipping Month. Studies have shown that there are more lost pets during the month of June. My guess is that this would be because we are spending more time outdoors so our pets are too. Of course, your DogWatch fence keeps your pets contained when you’re home, and we have several training products, like the SideWalker, that can aid in keeping your pet from wandering away. But what if it does happen? Is your pet prepared?

What is Microchipping?

Microchipping can be a huge help if your pet does get lost. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains contact information (which you will need to keep updated in case your contact information changes). Once a lost pet has been taken to a vet office or animal shelter, they are scanned for a chip. If a chip is found, the owner is contacted per the contact information on the chip. This can help ensure a safe return to the pets’ owner.

How is a Microchip Inserted?

The microchip is inserted under the skin with a needle and is usually placed between the shoulder blades.

What Information is available through the microchip?

The microchip only contains identification numbers. The only thing the information will be used for is to track you down in the event that your pet is found.

You can check with your vet on pricing, but microchipping is usually pretty inexpensive and some offices may offer specials throughout the year.

May 25, 2019
dog pet cancer

Pet Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. It’s important to know how common it is, what to look for, and how to proceed if you think your pet may have cancer. Cancer in pets is more common than one might think, and with advances in veterinary medicine, treatment and survival is more possible than ever before.

One in four dogs will develop neoplasia, an abnormal growth of cells and almost half of dogs over 10 will develop cancer. There are limited known facts regarding cancer in cats.

Cancer in a pet is diagnosed much like in humans. Many times, it is found through a physical exam or bloodwork. From there a sample of cells or a biopsy is performed to confirm diagnosis and can help determine if a tumor cancerous or not. If the biopsy does show cancer, further biopsies may be performed to determine how much it has spread.

Also, much like human diagnosis and testing, CT scans and PET scans are performed to give the veterinarian a better idea of the location and treatment options.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, possible signs of neoplasia includes the following:

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Bleeding from the mouth, nose or other body openings
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty eating
  • Lumps, bumps or discolored skin
  • Non-healing wounds
  • Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
  • Sudden changes in weight
  • Unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness
  • Visible mass/tumor

Although these symptoms do not always mean a tumor or cancer, they should receive prompt veterinary care. Early diagnosis is key to treating and beating cancer in pets.

Many of the treatments for cancer in pets is just the same as humans including surgery, freezing, chemo, radiation, and many others. There’s no clear-cut treatment for cancer in general. Treatment will be tailored to the type and stage that your pet is in.

The key to a good outcome is early detection and treatment. If your pet is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, please see medical advice for them as soon as possible. You can learn more by visiting the link below.

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cancer-in-Pets.aspx

 

May 17, 2019
walk your dog, dogwatch, training

SideWalker: Who’s Walking Who? Let DogWatch Help Ensure That You Are In Control

DogWatch is the leading provider in pet containment systems, but did you know we also offer training products? There are a few different products we offer. One of our favorites is the Side Walker.

Imagine a beautiful, sunny morning. The birds are chirping. The sun is out. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect day for a walk or run outdoors. You leash up your dog , optimistic that he or she will be the perfect exercise companion. You start down the green-way and begin to think “who’s walking who?” Your dog is pulling the leash to the max. It couldn’t be anymore stretched out if it broke. You don’t have to walk your dog like this.. or more accurately let him walk you like this.

The SideWalker is specially design for dogs who test the limits of the leash. Whether your furry friend is 6 pounds or 150 pounds, the SideWalker can benefit you and guarantee you a better walking or running mate. The SideWalker works by giving the dog a gentle correction when they tug on the leash. When the dog pulls on the leash, the pressure of the collar strap on the SideWalker activates either a vibration or a stimulation. The vibration or stimulation gradually increases as the dog pulls and resets when the pulling stops. With 5 levels of correction, you’re sure to find the perfect setting for your dog.

The battery in the SideWalker is rechargeable and there is a low battery indicator light. It’s also waterproof for our water dogs out there.

You can learn more about the SideWalker and all our training products at our website. You can direct any questions to our professional office staff at 256-880-1888.