Animal Hospital of Sun Prairie
Question of the Month
These questions and answers are featured monthly in the "Ask the Expert" feature in The Star, Sun Prairie's weekly newspaper.
What should I think about when deciding to travel with my pet during our summer vacation?
Make sure your pet is comfortable with traveling, as some pets cannot handle travel because of illness, injury, age or temperament. If your pet is not good with travel, you should consider a reliable pet-sitter or talk to your veterinarian about boarding your pet. It is also important to make sure your pet has proper ID, such as a name tag, rabies tag and/or a microchip. If you are taking your pet across state or international borders, a health certificate and up to date vaccinations are required. You should also have your Veterinarian's contact information, and a list of Veterinarians and 24 hour Emergency Hospitals along the way and close to your destination. Don’t forget to pack for your pet also; food, toys, bedding/crate, dishes, medications, and a leash/collar! With proper preparation, all should go well and everyone should enjoy the trip!
What is Heartworm disease and why do I need to give my dog a monthly preventative?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that can grow up to 14 inches long, living in the arteries, lungs and the heart of dogs and other species of mammals. Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states, and even one mosquito can infect your dog! Each year there are thousands of heartworm infections reported in Wisconsin alone, even though it is an easily preventable disease! It is important to test your dog yearly and give a Heartworm preventative every month as directed!
February is National Pet Dental Health Month! What are some things I can do to help keep my pets teeth healthy?
Dental disease is the #1 health problem in pets. Dental disease can affect every aspect of your pet’s health, not just the teeth. Through knowledge and early detection we can improve the quality of our pet’s health and extend their life expectancy. A complete oral exam by your Veterinarian will help diagnose any problems. Digital Dental x-rays can help reveal problems in 30-40% of cases where there is no visible problem on the surface of the tooth! A dental cleaning performed by your veterinarian and veterinary technician is very beneficial to prevent, detect and treat periodontal disease. Brushing your pets teeth daily with pet toothpaste or feeding a tartar control diet, treat or chew will help to prevent problems, and bad breath, in dogs with healthy teeth. It is never too early, or too late to start!
When is it too cold to leave my dog outside for an extended period of time?
A general rule of thumb is if it is too cold for you, it’s too cold for the dog. But make sure you looking at weather fairly. “Don’t want to” and “too cold” can be two different things. It is important for your dog get some physical activity even in the winter.
Pets should stay indoors during extreme weather conditions. If the temperature falls below 10° F, it is too cold for most pets to be outside for extended periods. Others things to look at when deciding if it’s too cold: the dog’s breed and type of coat, age, or any health conditions. Pets that are very young, thin, old or ill will have a harder time tolerating cold weather and should be kept indoors as much as possible. Please contact us with any concerns you may have. Have a Happy Holiday!
What are some things to watch out for this holiday season to keep my pet safe?
Cold weather brings a lot of new items to the house and yard. As always, avoid food or drink items that could cause problems in your pet. High fat foods, rich, sugary treats, or chocolate should especially be avoided, to prevent illness. Please be aware of things your pet may get into, like Christmas tree water, ribbons or tinsel, ornaments, and plants like lilies, Poinsettias, Holly and Mistletoe. Please also be aware that ice melting products can irritate the feet and cause internal problems if ingested. Call your us right away if you have any questions about something your pet may have ingested.
It’s Halloween Time! How can I keep my dog safe this time of the year?
Protect your pet on Halloween by keeping it indoors! A pet that’s out at night with trick-or-treaters might get spooked by their excited voiced and costumes, which could cause it to run off and get lost or stolen. Keep your pet confined and away from the door while you’re greeting trick-or-treaters at your home to prevent it from darting outdoors or protecting its territory from the many visitors. In addition, keep Halloween candy well out of your pet’s reach because it can make your pet sick. Large amounts of candy and wrappers, or the wrong type, can cause a medical emergency. In fact, chocolate can be fatal to dogs in some cases. If you have any concerns about your pet, contact your veterinarian.
Why is it recommended to spay or neuter my pet when it turns 6 months old?
Spayed and neutered dogs and cats stay healthier are less likely to roam looking for a mate, don’t produce unwanted offspring, enjoy a greatly reduced risk of mammary, ovarian, uterine, and prostatic cancers and tumors and generally live longer! It’s not beneficial to a female to have a little of puppies or kittens, as some people might think. Spaying and neutering also helps prevent infections such as a pyometra (infected uterus) and prostate enlargement or infection. A neutered male is less likely to roam, which keeps him out of fights and keeps him safe at home, and less likely to spray urine to mark his territory. Keeping cats at home helps prevent diseases also, such as Feline Leukemia, and Feline Immunodefiency Virus to name a few. In addition, a spayed female will not come into heat, which can be annoying and inconvenient.
I’d like to take my dog with me over the holiday weekend. What are some travel tips you can give me?
If your dog’s only exposure to riding in a car is an occasional trip to the veterinarian’s, don’t be surprised if he’s not the easiest of riders. Try to build up his enthusiasm by increasing his time in the car and praising him for his good behavior. The first short trips should be to pleasant locations, such as parks. There are also medications available to prevent car-sickness in dogs. If this is a problem, talk to your veterinarians. It may also help if your dog travels on an empty stomach (no food right before travel). On the road, remember to stop at regular intervals, for your dog to relieve himself and get a drink of fresh water. And always keep your dog on a leash for his own safely. Depending on the size of you dog and the size and shape of your vehicle, a travel crate or doggy seat is recommended. Never let your dog ride in your lap, for safely reasons. Also remember to check with us about getting a Health Certificate if you are traveling out of state. With a few short proactive trips and some training, you’ll be on the road in no time!
Are there any special warm weather concerns for my pet?
Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. Never leave your pet in the car alone: In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees or more in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade, or with the windows cracked. Pets that are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Keep in mind also, that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Pets can get sunburned and suffer from skin cancer, so be aware of sun exposure.
My dog is terrified by fireworks and loud noises! Is there anything I can do for her?
Keep pets indoors and away from crowds so that they feel more protected. If you plan to travel during this time, boarding your animal might be a better option than leaving them at home alone, to avoid destructive behavior to your house. Your veterinarian may also choose to prescribe a sedative, anti-anxiety medication or an herbal or holistic remedy if you pet is frightened by fireworks, summer storms or other loud noises. You may also want to consider consulting with an animal behaviorist, to try to modify the behavior. The 4th of July is also a good time to make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and collar and/or is microchipped, as frightened animals may try to run away.
I found a tick on my dog. Do I need to worry about Lyme disease?
Maybe! If the tick is removed within 48 hours of attachment, tick-bourne diseases cannot be transmitted. The first lesson about the Lyme disease infection is that it manifests completely differently in dogs compared with the humans. In dogs, Lyme disease does not begin to manifest for weeks to months after infection. Clinical signs of Lyme disease in pets include loss of appetite, lameness, lethargy, and fever. There are several effective tick control products available, in addition to a vaccine! Click here to go to VeterinaryPartner.com for more information.
