pets - Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

Pets Can Be Good Medicine

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Pets can be good medicine

Did you know that people with pets visit their physicians less often? The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative recently announced that pet owners go to their doctor less often that people who don’t own pets.

Individuals who own a dog and actually got out and walked it five or more times a week had a lower incidence of obesity. The result was an estimated $419 million worth of health care related savings.

Caring for a pet may also reduce stress levels by giving someone something soft and furry to pet thus stimulating tactile sensory input into the brain. Furthermore, people often experience less anxiety when they have to think beyond themselves and care for something else. It can also be comforting to have a non-judgmental companion that can make you laugh at their silly antics.

The bottom line is that pets can be good medicine for the heart and soul.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Laser Therapy

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

What is laser therapy and how does it work?

An exam is given prior to laser treatments.

Laser therapy is the use of light waves to promote healing . Light waves come in varying lengths and can be referred to as cold or hot. Both can stimulate healing, but hot or class IV lasers are more powerful and work with the body to more quickly heal the tissues. They also penetrate more deeply into the tissue so a broader range of ailments can be treated in a timely fashion. Lasers, when used correctly, decrease pain and inflammation and help the body heal itself. They do this by increasing the microcirculation which brings more blood and thus oxygen into the injured area. Additionally, laser therapy increases the energy or ATP production of the damaged cells.

Uses of Laser therapy in animals.

Since laser therapy stimulates tissue healing by increasing microcirculation to a wounded or inflamed area and decreases pain, it has numerous applications. Most procedures involve a short treatment time and almost all animals tolerate the procedure very well . Some treatments involve the use of a massaging ball-like head that focuses the laser beam and allows it to penetrate deeper. More superficial wounds are treated by running the laser beam about 1/4” off of the surface. Any animal with musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, wounds/abscesses, fractures, gingivitis/periodontal disease, ear infections, post –surgical incisions or inflammation/injury can benefit from laser therapy. Treatment protocols and price vary with the injury, but overall laser therapy is a very cost effective and non-invasive treatment modality.

Learn more at http://www.litecure.com/companion/for-pet-owners/

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