April 2009 News Letter

 
Summer is right around the corner.  Planting and gardening are at their peak.  Putting up the vegetable or flower garden is a time consuming but fruitful chore.  Trees are greening up and some flowers are already peeking out of the soil.  What a beautiful season and time of the year.  With this season, there is many weather changes and natural disasters.  Hurricane and tornados, flooding and fires are all possible this time of year.  Make sure you are prepared and that you have emergency kits for your family and your pets.

Disaster Awareness:

In many areas of the country this is the time for natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and earthquakes.  No matter where you reside, it is important to have a pet emergency kit as well as one for your family.  Pet emergency kits should contain:  a 2 week supply of food and water, pet carrier, leash and collar, litter box, litter, can opener, emergency contact list, first aid kit, medical records, proof of ownership, blankets, bowls, toys, treats, a picture of the pet and the name and address of your veterinarian.  The most important and effective thing to do for your pet is to them micro-chipped.  Most shelters and veterinary offices have a scanner to scan stray dogs, cats, and birds for an identification chip.  This is the most efficient way to keep track of your pet and to make sure the pet is returned to your family.  When a disaster occurs, there are many pets that end up on the streets, not able to find their way home.  Each of us wants the pets rescued and returned to their rightful owner, by being prepared, you may be saving your pet's life and helping your pet find it's way back to you.  If you have any questions concerning micro-chipping, contact your veterinarian.  A micro-chip is a rice sized transformer, that when scanned, will read a number that is associated with your information.  The chip data base would have your name, address, friends or relatives to contact.  After the chip is implanted into the pet, you call the company and register your pet.  When registering, always make sure that at least one contact is out of the local area and may be in a different state.  No one wants to think of a disaster happening, but we all must be prepared in case.

Looking For a New Pet?
Now is the time that many people start looking for a new puppies.  There are many breeds and sizes out there to choose from.  Below are some tips to use when looking for and purchasing a puppy.

1.  What kind of dog should I get?   
      Launch a search:  does it shed or not shed, size for your living arrangement, independent or more of a loveable cuddly type, exercise needs
     Study you list:  review your wants and needs, take your top picks and investigate further, but remember, all dogs have their own personality, there are no guarantees that a certain breed, will have a definite personality manner.

2.   What is the best way to find a puppy?
     Check your local shelter:  Many mixed breeds and purebred puppies, pass through shelters and humane societies.  You will not only be getting a pet for your family but will be saving a pet's life.
     Contact local breed clubs:  Check out, www.akc.org or www.ukcdogs.com for a list of local breeders or rescue groups in your area
     Seek out fellow dog lovers:  Visit www.meetup.com to find social groups in your area that have regular play days and know of many pet friendly spots to take your pet
     Check out the dog show:  Many dog handlers and breeders consider themselves to be breed ambassadors and enjoy educating the public about their breeds attributes.

3.  What supplies will I need for my new addition?
     Puppy food:  There are many varieties of pet foods available.  Make sure you purchase puppy food for your puppy and not adult food.  Try to feed him what the breeder started him on and if you want to change food, always do it gradually, decreasing the original food and increasing the new diet.
     Crate:  Most dogs like sleeping in a crate at night or for short periods during the day.  The crate can be a secure and safe place for your puppy if you introduce it gradually and in a positive manner
     ID tag or micro-chip:  Always keep an ID tag on your puppy or have a micro-chip implanted.  Most clients have the pet micro-chipped at the time of it's spay or neuter, that way the pet is under an anesthetic during the implant, but most veterinarians give an injection of a numbing medication at the site before they implant the chip so the pet doesn't feel any more than with a normal injection.
     Collar and leash:  You can use a sporty one, a flashy one, a retractable one or a regular cross-grain nylon one.  The important thing is to chose one that is right for your pet.  You can't restrain a large lab puppy with the same collar and leash you would use for a toy breed puppy.  Make the decision wisely and you won't have to constantly make a fast trip to the pet store for a new one.  These and a few toys and grooming supplies are all the puppy needs

4.  Taking the new puppy home, now what?
     Puppy proof your home:  Puppies can get into so many things and some can be very dangerous to them.  Block stairways with gates, lock cabinets that contain toxins, and secure electric cords and dangerous plants.
     Prepare a schedule:  Your puppy will learn faster and make your job easier if it has a set schedule. Plan a feeding schedule, play time, potty breaks and crate times.  Consistency is the key to early training.
     House train from day one:  The minute you bring the puppy home, take him to his new potty place, put your puppy in a crate when you are not able to supervise, take the puppy out frequently and give him a reward each time he eliminates in the desired location, At least four months of supervised time should be allowed before he is left to his own accord, and to roam freely in your absence.
     Start basic training:  begin using the sit, stay, come commands using positive rewards when they are performed, enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class.  It's equally important to socialize your puppy to all kinds of people, noises and places
     Visit the vet:  Take your puppy to the veterinarian within days after getting him.  At this visit the puppy will receive it's initial vaccinations, physical exam, fecal check, and de-worming.  The vaccinations will need to be repeated in 3 weeks to continue the immunity. The veterinarian will help you with any questions you might have, so it is a good idea to write down questions as you think of them for your next visit.
     Enjoy your new dog:  Although structure is important, playing, walking, exploring and training is necessary for a puppy.  Having a puppy should be fun and enjoyable, first and foremost.
    

Welcome Home a Kitten
Bringing home a kitten is an exciting and fun time for everyone.  It is important to have everything you need before the kitten is brought home.    

Food:  It is important to get a good quality kitten chow that has all the nutrients that a kitten needs.  A kitten does not need milk, it may cause diarrhea.  If your kitten is very young, you can purchase kitten replacement milk to mix with the dry food so it easier for the young kitten to eat.
Bowls:  Bowls are fun to buy and getting a cute set that reflects your style or decor is a plus.  Ceramic or glass bowls are preferred over the plastic or metal ones.  Kittens and cats usually enjoy very fresh water so it is important to change their water frequently.
Treats:  Kittens usually respond to treats, so treats can be used as a training tool.
Litter box:   You will need to get a box with low sides so the kitten can climb in and out of it with ease.  Once the kitten has grown you might want to get a covered one, or a larger one.  It is rule of thumb, that you should have one litter box per cat and if there is more than one cat, plus an extra one.
Litter:  There are many types of litters on the market.  Some kittens are picky about the litter they use.  You may have to try out several different types until you find the type your kitten likes the best.
Scoops:  Make sure the scoop you purchase allows the litter to flow through.  Different litters require different scoops.
Bedding:  Some kittens like their own beds, and there are many to choose from.  Most kittens like the enclosed kinds so they feel safe and almost hidden.  Many kittens like snuggling where you are so beds may not be an option.
Toys:  Kittens need playtime.  Most are not picky about toys, but many prefer stuffed mice, catnip toys, feather toys, toys on a stick, or a balled up piece of paper.  Always be sure that there are not any parts of the toys that can come off and be ingested.
Scratching posts:  Provide a scratching post when your kitten is young to teach it to direct it's natural scratching behavior to a proper source.  Make sure you get one tall enough that your kitten can stretch to reach.
Play structures:  Play structures can be small like little cubes or large as in towers.  Many have scratching posts and  some have privacy nooks.  The size of the structure depends a lot on the area you have in your home for it.
Carrier:  A kitten or a cat running loose in a vehicle isn't safe.  A soft sided carrier or a hard plastic one can be strapped in a seat belt for a ride to the veterinarian or elsewhere. 
Collar or ID: If you want to put a collar on your cat or kitten, always get the "break away" type.  They are safer and can prevent your cat or kitten from getting tangled up in something inside or outside.  It is always a good idea to get your kitten micro-chipped.
Combs and brushes:  The type of comb or brush depends a lot on your kitten's hair coat.  It is best to start combing  and brushing your kitten at an early age.
New kittens bring joy and excitement to any home.  Always make sure your home is kitten proof.  Kittens can get in to the  smallest areas and hide so try to keep them in an area of the house that is safe for them.

Staff News 

Megan and Shane had their baby.  Grant Davis was born on March 5th.  He weighed 9 Lbs 2 1/2 ounces and was 21 and 1/2 inches long.  Baby and mother are doing great.

Fleas, mosquitos and ticks are out already.  It's time to stock up on your preventatives.  There are some specials now, for a limited time, on Advantix and Advantage Multi.  Our prices are comparable to many of the on-line pharmacies, call us before you order on-line to check our prices.