dog - Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

I think my dog had a seizure…

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

I think my dog had a seizure. What do I do?

Dogs can develop seizures at any time during their lives. Aberrant brain activity can range from imperceptible to a full blown Grand Mal seizure. Often owners will be awakened in the wee hours of the morning as the animal thrashes about next to the bed.

Seizures can have many etiologies (causes) so most veterinarians will want to run some blood and urine tests to help them determine the cause. Many seizures have a genetic component or are idiopathic, meaning we can’t find a cause. Taking a video of the pet having the seizure and timing the event can help the veterinarian as well.

Fortunately, most seizures can be controlled with medications.

Share this:

4th of July and Pets

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

More pets get lost on the 4th of July

Did you know? More pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.

Thunder, fireworks and other loud noises can really stress out our furry friends. As a result, this noisy holiday means more “guests” in the “pound” as they seek to escape the loud noises that terrify them.

It also means the possibility of an emergency visit to the Vet for a variety of things, ranging from injuries from escaping to digestive stresses and more.

Here are some quick tips:

Be sure your pet has a safe, den-like place, such as a crate or kennel
Play some music or other “white noise” to help mask the sound of fireworks
Don’t comfort your pet during fireworks or thunder. It rewards the fear behavior.
Be sure they have current ID on them such as a microchip or pet tags. You can also write your telephone number (including area code) on their collar with a permanent marker.
Keep them safe and away from fireworks

To learn more, check out these articles:

Humane Society: Fear of Thunder and Other Loud Noises
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/fear_thunder_loud_noises.html

ASPCA: Fourth of July Safety Tips
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips

Share this:

Worming Dogs and Cats

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

How often should I worm my dogs and cats?

How often you worm your pets depends upon several factors. The pet’s environment, travel history, age, diet, and lifestyle can all affect the frequency of dosing and the choice of medication.

In general, most pets require twice yearly, at minimum, to monthly deworming for prevention only. Active parasite infections may require more frequent dosing.

While most pets become infected through their environment, puppies and kittens can become parasitized through the placenta or from the mother’s milk. Parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can infect humans and cause detrimental effects especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.

Consult with your veterinarian as to the best plan for your pet.

Share this:

Can I Give Shots?

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Regular exams with vaccinations are an important part of your pet’s health care.

Why should I have a veterinarian give my pet’s vaccinations when I know how to give a shot myself?

Certainly some pet owners feel comfortable administering their own pet’s vaccinations and they might even offer to do the same for a friend. However there are some problems with this.

First, the pet misses out on the opportunity to get a physical exam from a licensed veterinarian. I regularly counsel owners of apparently healthy dogs and cats about dental disease, preventative care, obesity, behavior, nutrition, arthritis, and allergies, among other things.

Secondly, if vaccines aren’t administered at a veterinarian’s office, you have no legal proof that the vaccine was given or that it was given correctly. Most pet boarding facilities, dog groomers, housing complexes, other veterinary offices, and city/state entities require legal proof of vaccination. Legal proof is especially important when it comes to rabies vaccinations as the disease is lethal to both pets and humans. Strict rules about rabies vaccination and control are established by governing authorities.

Share this:

No Foolin’, Heartworms are serious stuff

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

When it comes to heartworms, you can’t tell just by looking. Play it safe. Your veterinarian can perform a simple blood test for heartworm disease.

April Fool’s Day has come and gone, but don’t be a fool about heartworm disease.

Heartworms are a blood parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease affects the heart, lungs, and pulmonary (lung) vessels of dogs and sometimes cats and can be fatal.

Treating heartworm disease can be very expensive and very miserable for your pet. Occasionally they can even die from the treatment due to the death of the adult worms.

Heartworm is found throughout North America

Heartworm disease is regularly diagnosed in South Dakota even though the risk of contracting the disease is lower than it would be in a southern state like Texas. Current recommendations from the American Heartworm Society are to use a monthly preventative and periodic testing (most often yearly, depending on the region).

Monthly treatments like Heartgard are easy to give, generally cost less that 10.00-20.00/month depending on the size of your dog and may have additional ingredients in them to control other common parasites.

Share this:

Shop with us online

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

You can now shop locally, online.

We have partnered with VetSource Home Delivery which will allow you to make purchases for your furry friends online and have their supplies delivered to your door. We can even set you up for your pet’s prescription medications!

Click this button to explore our new eCommerce site!

Share this:

The Cone of Shame

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

The “Cone of Shame is also called an E-collar, Elizabethan Collar or buster collar

Why must the “Cone of Shame” be endured?

Most dogs and cats hate having an Elizabethan or buster collar installed around their neck. Unfortunately it is sometime a necessary evil. These collars help prevent a dog or cat from self-mutilation in the event of a wound.

Once the itching/scratching cycle can be stopped, then the pet will likely become more comfortable. Sutured incisions or wounds usually take about 10-14 days to heal sufficiently for the sutures to be removed. If the pet licks the sutures out before this time the whole wound that you just spent a lot of money on to get fixed will come apart.

Depending on the severity and nature of the wound and your dogs personality, a clear collar, neck brace type collar, soft collar bandage, or body stocking may be substituted for the traditional white plastic E-collar.

Share this:

What dental treats actually work?

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Look for the VOHC stamp of approval on dental home care products.

What dental treats actually work for decreasing plaque and tartar in my pet’s mouth?

If you are trying to improve the quality of your pet’s mouth, skip the box of bone shaped treats. Studies have been done to show that both rawhide chews and Greenies can reduce plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth.

There are some treats specifically designed for cats as well, if they are so inclined to oblige you with a trial.

For a list of pet dental products that have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar visit www.vohc.org and look for their stamp of approval on dental home care products.

Visit your local veterinary office for more tips on oral care in dogs and cats.

Share this:

Pet Dental Health Month – Pet foods to help pet’s teeth

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education, Uncategorized .

February is National Pet Dental Month

Do they make pet foods designed to help keep my dog’s and cat’s teeth clean?

Yes! Research shows that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have some form of dental disease by the age of two years. Sticky plaque build up is the number one cause of periodontal (dental) disease.

Hill’s Science Diet T/D and Purina ProPlan’s DH are both prescription dental foods that are designed to reduce plaque and tartar when fed as the sole diet. The larger unique kibble size is designed to scrape the tooth as it is chewed. Additionally the kibble breaks down more slowly in the pet’s mouth allowing for even more chewing and scraping action.

These foods are formulated to be fed to most adult or senior pets, but consult with your veterinarian to make sure this is a good choice for your particular pet.

Share this:

Digital Thermal Imaging

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Digital Thermal Imagining allows us to better evaluate and treat your four-legged friends.

We are proud to announce that we now offer Digital Thermal Imaging.

Veterinary patients do not seek medical attention themselves. An animal is most often presented to the veterinarian as a result of symptoms observed by an owner or caretaker. The veterinarian responsibility is to then evaluate and treat the animal as accurately as possible. Diagnostic evaluation is often aided by immediate visual cues.

Digital Thermal Images do not depict temperature but measure the radiant energy from the target tissue. These cameras read and illuminate this energy and are both non invasive and non destructive as an aid to patient diagnosis and improved treatment plan.

This new digital thermal imaging is best for musculoskeletal and inflammatory issues.

Ask us about Digital Thermal Imaging at your next appointment.

Share this:

« Previous Page