Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital Newsletters

Newsletter for April 2007

Training Tips from Top Trainers

1. Start training as soon as your pet crosses the doorway.
Don't procrastinate-dogs and puppies are always learning. They'll either learn good behavior or bad behavior. The latter because we aren't teaching them.

 

2. Don't Focus on Bad Behavior
If you find yourself shouting "NO" constantly, from the puppy/dog stand point he's getting the attention he wants

 

3. Establish Ground Rules
Make sure everyone in the house is on the same course. That is so everyone gives him the same rules---otherwise he will get confused.

 

4. Socialize and Train Your Puppy Early
There is a 16 week period that is tremendously powerful if used properly-- let him meet people-- socialize-- take him out with you...hire a trainer--take him to obedience classes.

 

5. Be Proactive in Teaching
Don't wait till he misbehaves to punish him to behave the way you'd like him to behave.

 

6. Understand Positive Reinforcement
For instance a treat when he comes. Be sure you know what your pet likes and will work for.

 

7. Be A Good Observer
Dogs are excellent at letting us know what scares or bothers them. You just need to watch for the signs.
For example, if he is patted roughly on the head and he turns away, it generally means he didn't like the action.

 

8. Become Your Dog's Leader
Most disobedience is the result of miscommunication rather than social status. It's best to teach a dog to be patient
and polite (with positive reinforcement) rather than using force.

 

9. Practice Good Management to Prevent Reinforcing Unwanted Behaviors
Award the behaviors you like, use crates, gates, doors, exercise pens, etc, to prevent or curb unwanted behaviors.

 

10. Be Consistent and Clear with Your Commands
Dogs watch and interpret movements closely. If they don't do as you ask, it could be because they didn't understand. Be sure, clearer in your commands and movements.

 

11. Keep Training Fun and Positive
If you had a choice of someone that made learning fun and praised you, or someone that scolded, screamed, and smacked you, which would you choose?

 

12. Provide Ample Exercise
Even well trained dogs get in trouble if they are bored and bouncing off walls. Exercise is a large factor. Mix training with exercise. For instance have him sit before you throw the ball or toy.
    

Training does not have to be a full time job..just use the taught skills frequently. Having an untrained pet can be a trying experience for everybody.  Training can be fun and definitely will make your pet a better pet and an easier pet to treat if they ever need medical care.  As a new puppy, it is a good idea to start off by playing with it’s feet and touching them all over, for instance, constantly touch and look in the ears, check it’s teeth, and feel their legs and tails, etc.
 

Safety On Those Beautiful Spring Walks

Grass is green.....Sun is warm and inviting.....flowers are blooming.....

Makes you want to go outside and enjoy the day with your pet.

BUT, REMEMBER......................

Mushrooms can be poisonous

Daffodils, irises, crocuses and other tube rooted flowers can be toxic

Toads and frogs can exude toxins if touched

Poisonous snakes and insects become more active

Honey bees are busy pollinating

Skunks should be avoided at all costs

Enjoy your walk but keep a careful eye open to your surroundings for your safety as well as your 4 legged buddy.

APRIL IS PET FIRST AID MONTH

First Aid Tips

     1.  Hit by car:

Use a sheet or blanket as a stretcher if the animal can’t walk.  Cover with a blanket and try to control any bleeding with pressure.

     2.  Poisoning

Call Poison Control if your pet has swallowed something or has eaten something you are unsure of.  Have the container with the ingredients listed if possible.  The ASPCA has a 24 hour hotline   1-888-426-4435

     3.  Choking

Try to remove any obvious obstructions.  Don’t get bit.  Grasp under the rib cage holding your fists together and make an upward thrust....sharp and short.

     4.  Heatstroke

Hose down with cool water, not ice cold water.  Focus on the foot pads.  Take the pet to your veterinarian immediately.  Heatstrokes are potentially life threatening.

     5.  Wounds

In cases of excessive bleeding, apply pressure using a clean cloth.  If laceration is wider then ½ inch or if there is a lot of blood, see your veterinarian immediately. For puncture wounds, do not remove the object, go to your veterinarian.

     6.  Burns

Place a cool clean cloth on the area and take the pet to your veterinarian.

     7.  Lameness

There are a number of reasons for lameness.  It is best not to wrap it.  Keep the pet quiet and take it to your veterinarian.  X-rays can be very helpful in diagnosing problems.

More first aid information

A. Realize that First Aid is not a substitute for veterinary treatment.  Basic knowledge can help.

B. Learn normal behavior so you will know if something is amiss.

C. Keep phone numbers handy as well as directions to after hour emergency clinics and poison control numbers.

D. Approach sick pets cautiously.  Avoid loud noises or quick movements, especially with cats.  Use a blanket or towel if pet is aggressive.

E.  Have a first aid kit available

Things to include:

a. Rectal thermometer                

b. Sterile gauze

c. adhesive tape

d. tweezers

e. pillow case

f.  pet carrier

g. cotton balls and swabs

h. splints and tongue depressors

i.  flashlight

j.  scissors

k. sterile saline (for flush)

l.  latex gloves

m. ear cleaning solution

n. nail clippers

o. towels and cloths

p. styptic pencil or powder

q. Eye dropper

r. wound cleanser and disinfectant

s.  dawn dishwashing liquid

t.  cold packs - heat packs

u.  bitter apple

F. Numbers for Poison Control

Pet Poison Hotline: 1-800-213-6680

Animal Poison:        1-888-232-8870

There probably will be a charge for these calls.  Try to have the container with the ingredients listed ready when you make the call.

ASPCA dispels common misconceptions related to poisons

True or False...............................................

1. If eaten, poinsettias are deadly.

      A. False: Poinsettia ingestion typically induce only mild to moderate irritation in the gastrointestinal tract of pets.  Keeping the plant out of reach to avoid stomach upset is a good idea, but pet owners don’t need to banish the winter plants from their homes for fear of fatal exposure

2.  Swiffer WetJets contain an ingredient similar to antifreeze, and causes liver failure in dogs and cats.

    A.  False: When used according to directions, the active ingredients in Swiffer WetJets are safe around pets and will not cause liver damage at product concentrations.  Despite a similar sounding name, the propylene glycol n-butyl ether or propylene glycol n-propyl ether found in Swiffer differs substantially from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most anti-freeze products, which cause kidney, not liver failure.

3.  Salt can be used to induce vomiting.

     A.  False: It was once believed that giving pets a spoonful of salt was an effective means of making them regurgitate potentially harmful substances.  However, salt is not a reliable remedy and could actually lead to a sodium ion poisoning if too much were ingested.

4.  Macadamia nuts cause dogs to lose the use of their hind limbs.

     A.  True: Dogs that consume roughly one gram of macadamia nuts or more per pound of body weight can develop lethargy, vomit, or suffer from an increased body temperature, progressing to loss of coordination, tremors, and profound weakness primarily in the hind limbs.  So far, dogs are the only species known to experience these effects.  Usually these clinical effects resolve completely in 24 to 48 hours with minimal management.

5.  Greenies Pet Treats are deadly to dogs, causing intestinal blockage when swallowed.

     A. False. Although the safety of Greenies remains controversial, the ASPCA reported that Greenies do not pose a higher risk for gastrointestinal tract obstruction compared with other edible chew products.

6.  Pennies are poisonous if ingested.

     A. True.  United States pennies minted after 1982 contain 99.2 percent zinc (and 0.8 percent copper) by weight.  Although an essential trace nutrient, zinc is a concern because ingestions of substantial amounts can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, red blood cells, and gastrointestinal tract.  As a result of the high zinc content, pennies minted after 1982 are considered to be potentially toxic if swallowed.

To learn more, visit the ASPCA's Poison Control Center online at  www.aspca.org/apcc.

As a footnote we would like to give you the following internet site.  It features the neatest flashlite becon for pets. One of our valued clients had one and Dr. Pennington was very impressed by how much light it gives out.  Take a look and see if it is something you might be interested in for your pet (s)

http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=9521

Staff News

Many of you may not realize that several of our part time employees are attending colleges.  One of these student/employees is Christine Sneed.  Christine has applied to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  She had an interview in March and is waiting to hear if she has been accepted.  We wish her luck, but will hate to see her leave.  She has been a real asset to our Hospital and a good friend.

                                                                       ATTENTION ALL PET OWNERS:

Pet Food Recall

The recent news of the pet food recall is a concern of all our clients. We recommend that any pets eating these diets should be brought in for the following proceedures:

1. Exam

2. Blood Test

3. Urinalysis

We should do these before any signs are evident.  Give us a call for an appointment.  361-4646

We would like for everyone to have the following web site to check to see if the food you are using is on the list:

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Have a great month.

Happy Easter

This is just an addition to the April News Letter.

Christine did get accepted into the Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine.

She just received her letter today. Needless to say she is ecstatic.

So please congratulate her on her accomplishment.

Thank You

Doctors and Staff