pets - Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

Pets and Travel

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Traveling with your pet this summer? Here are some helpful tips

Know the area you are traveling to and the health risks that might be present. For example, Lyme disease is endemic in some states.

Make sure you pet is current on any necessary vaccines. Allow enough time between vaccinations.

If you don’t already have your dog on heartworm prevention, get them tested and start prophylactic medication. Heartworms, which are spread by mosquitoes, are most prevalent in southern, mid- western and coastal states.

Make sure your pet is protected against fleas and ticks via an oral or topical preventative. The last thing anyone wants to bring back from vacation is a flea infestation.

Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination and medical records with you when traveling.

Allow enough time to get a health certificate if necessary and check airline and destination regulations.

Make sure you have an adequate supply of your pet’s food and any medications it might need.

Talk with your veterinarian about having medication on hand, if your pet suffers from travel anxiety, or transient stress diarrhea or vomiting.

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Vehicles as pet ovens! Beware!

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Uncategorized .

Vehicles as pet ovens! Beware!

With ambient temperatures getting warmer once again, it’s time to keep your pets out of the hot car. The greenhouse effect of car windows and lack of airflow can turn a car into an oven in short order even on a cool (50-60 degree)sunny day. Having water available and shade can be helpful, but don’t get a false sense of security that your pet will be okay inside of a vehicle.

Very young dogs, old dogs, sick dogs, and brachycephalic (short- nose) breeds are especially susceptible to high temperatures. Depending on how warm the dog was and for how long, heat stroke is not always reversible even with emergency treatment.

Don’t take a chance, keep your pet safe!

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Spring Pet Checklist

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

Spring is in the air, bringing with it the creepy crawlies and visions of summer vacations. Don’t let your pet(s) go unprepared for the warmer season!

SPRING PET CHECKLIST

Heartworm testing and preventative medication
Flea and tick prevention
Rattlesnake vaccination for at risk dogs
Current I/D tags and/or microchipping
Current vaccinations including kennel cough (bordatella)
Fecal parasite check and /or preventative medication.
Schedule appointment for a summer shave, if needed.

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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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Winterproof Your Pets

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

Fall is going to quit teasing us and as much as we hate to think about it, the cold is coming. It’s time to start preparing your pet’s environment for winter.

Are fences secure and sturdy enough to handle wind and snow?

If your pet has to stay outside for any length of time make sure that adequate shelter is available. Dog houses, wind breaks, garages, and sheds can all be appropriate.

Short haired pets, sick pets, very young animals, and older animals will benefit from heated spaces and soft warm bedding. Straw, shavings, orthopedic beds, cushions, and heated beds can provide appropriate insulation.

It’s important that pets continue to drink plenty of water during winter. Heated and/or insulated water bowls are available at many veterinary offices and farm stores. Also re-evaluate your pet’s feed intake. Adjustments may need to be made if you pet is burning more calories to stay warm.

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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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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

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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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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.

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