dogs - Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

Easter Holiday Hazards for pets

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

We hope this pup doesn’t find that basket of goodies!

Like most holidays celebrated in America, Easter brings food and fun for us and potential toxins and hazards for our pets.

Chocolate, macadamia nuts, xylitol sweetener, and Easter lilies are all toxic to pets if consumed.

Plastic Easter Grass can be especially appealing to cats and as with any linear item can cause life threatening obstructions in the intestinal track.

Large dogs are capable of obstructing their GI tracts by swallowing plastic Easter Eggs whole.

Stuffed animals given to the kids are often mistaken by the family dog as their play toy. The stuffing and plastic eye balls can also cause GI upset or obstruction.

Most pets are curious about new objects in the house so decorations, candles, Easter Baskets, toys and plastic/foil wrappers should be kept out of a pets reach.

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Halloween is coming…

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education, Uncategorized .

Wearing costumes can also stress our furry friends

… Fright night for pets?

While Halloween can be a fun spooky night for people, our pets may not share our enthusiasm. Here’s a few things to be aware of:

Yard ornaments like the inflatable ghosts, motion activated skeletons, and people in costumes can scare pets and increase their anxiety levels.

Halloween candy can be hazardous to pets as well, especially chocolate and anything containing the sugar substitute xylitol.

Multiple visits by trick or treaters can drive your pet crazy, especially if the doorbell rings every time and your pet is protective of your property. These dogs may benefit from being confined to a quiet room or crate until the commotion is over.

Additionally Halloween decorations, power cords, make-up, and costumes can pose a threat to pets if they are chewed on or eaten.

Lastly black cats are often targeted by people with less than honorable intentions so keep them inside too.

Here are more tips from The Humane Society of the United States:
www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/halloween-safety.html

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Beat the Heat

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

Sometimes, even a fan isn’t enough

Baby, it’s hot out there! Here are 8 quick tips from the AVMA to help you and your furry friends beat the heat. (These tips can also help cats)

Never, ever leave your dog in the car
Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water
Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside
Take walks during the cooler hours of the day
When walking, try to stay off of hot surfaces (like asphalt) because it can burn your dog’s paws
If you think it’s hot outside, it’s even hotter for your pet – make sure your pet has a means of cooling off
Keep your dog free of external parasites (fleas, ticks) and heartworms – consult your veterinarian about the best product for your pet
Consider clipping or shaving dogs with long coats (talk to your veterinarian first to see if it’s appropriate for your pet), and apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin if she or he has a thin coat

Bonus tip: Your dog may like some pup-sicles. Check out this DIY recipe from the Humane Society (Don’t worry feline fans, they also have a variation for cats!)
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/eating/recipes/animal_treats/dog_popsicles.html

Discover other tips and tricks at:

Humane Society: Keep Pets Safe in Heat
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_safe_heat_wave.html

PetFinder: Keep your dog safe in a heat wave
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care/heat-wave-safety-dog/

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Kids, Pinworms and Pets

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

Can my kids get pinworms from our dog or cat?

Pinworms are not transmitted from animals to humans. While it is true that other species of animals can have pinworms, they are not transmitted to people.

However, there are other species of worms that have zoonotic potential and can cause disease in humans. Various forms of larva migrans are caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, the roundworms of dogs and cats. Infected animals can contaminate the soil and then humans coming in contact with the soil can ingest the eggs accidentally.

Some statistics show that almost a third of US parks are contaminated with roundworm eggs. Making sure kids and adults alike follow good hygiene protocols and washing garden vegetables before consumption are good practices for prevention . Additionally keeping pets on a good parasite control program can reduce local contamination.

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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.

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Dogs and Grain Free Food

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

There is a lot of hype on the internet lately about grain free dog foods. Does my dog really need a grain free food?

Dogs are true omnivores so they can utilize both animal and plant sources for essential nutrients. While dogs certainly utilize meat based diets well, grains can be a great source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

If your dog is allergic to a specific grain or animal protein, then by all means avoid that product. Incidentally, the most common food allergies in dogs are from beef, dairy products, wheat, lamb, egg, chicken, and soy.

The wisest choice for your pet is to choose a well-researched food from a reliable company that does extensive quality testing both on the raw products going into the food and on the finished product. Further make sure the company formulates their food based on nutrient profiles of each batch of actual ingredients versus just combining healthy sounding ingredients.

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Obesity linked to inflammation

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

overweight pug Over half of US cats and dogs are overweight or obese and their owners don’t even realize it.

Most people think fat is just this gross blobby stuff that looks awful and keeps one’s clothes from fitting. In actuality it is an active organ.

Adipose or fat cells produce a milieu of inflammatory compounds. Extra weight puts stress on the joints, musculoskeletal system, and heart, but more importantly inflammation in the body has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer .

obese cat See your veterinarian for more information on assessing your pet’s weight and selecting the best food for your pet’s life stage and health needs.

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Dogs and Raw Food Diets

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Should I feed a raw food diet to my dog?

While some people claim to see a significant improvement in their pet’s health on a raw food diet, most veterinarians, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) don’t recommend it.

Currently, there is no scientific evidence to support the feeding of a raw diet and many raw diets have nutritional imbalances. The bones found in raw diets may help keep the teeth cleaner, however there is always the risk of fractured teeth or intestinal trauma.

Further, raw foods have an increased chance of being contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. All of these bacteria can also cause illness in humans.

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Hot cars can cook your dog!

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Unlike us dogs don’t sweat through their skin. Instead they use panting as a means to regulate their body temperature which is normally at 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Your pet will literally start to cook their cells when their body temperature rises to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cars in summer can easily exceed temperatures greater than 110 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes.

Overweight, heavy coated, and short nose dogs can be affected more quickly as can older or ill dogs or dogs on certain medications.

Running and playing can also lead to overheating so be sure to limit your dog’s exercise especially on hot, humid days. Stay safe and leave your dog at home with plenty of shade and fresh water.

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