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Is your pet sick or recently had an operation? You probably have to give them medicine. Sometimes, getting a pet to take a tablet or paste, or applying cream is more difficult than we expect. Still, it is crucial to follow your vet’s treatment plan for your pet, to ensure success!Here are a few tips to keep in mind: When you go to the vet, don’t be afraid to ask any questions that come to mind, even if they seem obvious; this will reassure you. You absolutely need to know: How to administer the medicine: by mouth, with or without food, in water, etc. When and how often your pet needs their treatment: once a day, morning or evening, every 12 hours, before or after meals, etc. How long the treatment should last. If you have any questions after your visit, don’t hesitate to call the clinic! The staff will be pleased to answer your questions. Follow the dosing instructions to the letter. If this is a problem because of your schedule, talk to your veterinarian before starting treatment. Often, the vet can find a compromise or alternative. If you find it difficult to remember the doses, consider creating reminders. In this age of smart phones, creating reminders or alarms for every medicine time is very simple. Even if you notice that your pet’s health is improving, still continue the treatment until the end. Follow the packaging recommendations about storing the medicine (in the fridge, at room temperature, etc.). Inadequate storage conditions can affect the medicine’s safety and effectiveness. If your pet develops adverse reactions after taking their medicine, contact your vet right away.Never decide to change the administration regimen or stop treatment on your own.Never give your pet human medicines. In addition, it is not advisable to mask medicine in human foods like peanut butter or hot dogs. These can add additional fat and calories to their diet that may contribute to weight issues and other serious health concerns. Ask your veterinarian what pet friendly solutions they recommend to make pill time easy.

Was your new kitten diagnosed with Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1)? It’s not uncommon, in fact almost all cats are exposed to FHV-1 as kittens, either by their mother or by another cat. Up to 80% of cats develop a hidden (referred to as dormant or latent) infection and become carries of FHV-1 for life. Symptoms, also referred to as flare ups, may occur during times of stress or other illness.It can be scary and intimidating when your cat isn’t feeling well. Here’s a quick guide including some terms you may have heard from your veterinarian when discussing FHV-1.What is Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1):Feline herpes virus is a common viral infection that can affect cats of all ages and breeds worldwide. FHV-1 is an upper respiratory infection of the nose and throat in cats with no cure. Typically, upper respiratory infections last between 7-21 days. If you do not see improvement in your cat, or suspect they are suffering from an upper respiratory infection, make an appointment with your veterinarian. FHV-1 cannot be passed from your cat to you – it’s not transferrable to humans.Symptoms (Flare-ups) of FHV-1: Red eyes Squinting Eye discharge Sudden, repetitive acts of sneezing Runny nose Loss of sense of smell, leading to a lack of interest in food Swelling and redness of eyelids Fever Lethargy Treatment Options for FHV-1: Immune Support: Certain amino acids are used to help support immune function in cats. It is thought amino acids can slow viral replication. This may allow the cat’s immune system to respond more effectively and slow the progression, severity, and flare-up frequency of FHV-1 infections. The best immune support products are the ones your cat will actually accept. Be sure to find a flavor and formulation that is easy to administer. Stress Management: Long term or short term stressors may cause a FHV-1 flare up to last longer. To alleviate stress at home, set up a place in your house where you cat can rest comfortably and quietly. Typically these restful places are away from other pets, children and loud sounds. There are behavior supplements available to help your cat better cope with the stress of an FHV-1 flare up. Stress management should be addressed as part of your treatment plan. Antibiotics: FHV-1 is a virus and will not respond to antibiotics (antibiotics will not treat or eradicate FHV-1). Veterinarians may prescribe antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections that can arise due to a weakened immune system caused by an FHV-1 flare up.If your cat is showing signs of feline herpes virus infection, please make an appointment with your veterinarian for an examination.

With the holidays comes a change in schedules, the entertaining of guests, and perhaps most of all: a change in diet. Not only will there be more food, there will be more kinds of food, in some cases food that your pets won’t encounter at any other time of year.Naturally, not all foods are created equal, and your pets won’t process some foods as well as humans do. Here’s a handy guide on foods to avoid and foods you can let your pets indulge in alongside you.HOLIDAY DIET DON’TS:GARLIC AND ONIONS. Garlic and onions can cause gastric upset in your pet and could even result in anemia. You probably aren’t going to feed your pets these foods directly, but check ingredients (especially sausage!) before you let your dog or cat have something you suspect may contain either.RAISINS AND GRAPES. Even a small amount of these foods can cause kidney failure or worse. Keep fruit plates, raisin bread, and other holiday staples well out of reach of your pets.COOKED BONES. Who doesn’t love giving a dog a bone? Just be careful not to give your dog cooked bones, which become fragile and brittle. Fragments of bone can break off and get lodged in your dog’s intestines or throat. Stick to toys for your cats.CHOCOLATE. It’s no secret that chocolate is bad for dogs, but did you know it’s just as toxic for cats? The holiday season sees a lot more chocolate coming into the house than usual. Chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs and cats alike, so keep any and all chocolate far away.HOLIDAY DIET DO’S:WHITE MEAT TURKEY is hearty, healthy, and a delicious treat for your favorite pet. Just cut away the skin and excess fat before you feed them.BANANAS and APPLES make a flavorful and colorful fruit addition to your pet’s holiday meal.Likewise, CARROTS round out the vegetable selections you can use to delight your dog or cat.Finally, PUMPKIN PUREE. Pets love it when you mix this in with their usual meal! Just make sure you serve plain pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling, because in large quantities nutmeg can cause stomach pains and hallucinations.As always, if you have any questions, talk to your veterinarian about what is and isn’t safe for your pet to eat. And if you see your dog or cat displaying tremors, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst or seizures, see your veterinarian immediately. Just be mindful of who’s eating what, and you AND your pets should have a happy holiday season!

A Wild LifeImagine the daily routine of a cat that lives in the wild. What do you imagine this cat is doing all day? A typical day in the wild is spent hunting for food, marking one’s territory, defending that territory, hiding from predators, grooming and resting. All of these activities take a lot of physical and mental energy - cats need rest to stay sharp.A Life of Ease?Compare the daily routine of a cat in the wild to that of a typical domesticated indoor cat and you will find significant differences. In an indoor environment, a cat may be fed 2 or 3 times per day, or have access to its food at all times, rather than having to hunt for 10-20 small meals per day in the wild. Cats may have access to one or several litter boxes in the home where their owner would like them to use the bathroom. There are typically no significant predators, except for the overzealous canine housemate, who is likely more of an annoyance than anything else. Competition for resources is minimal, especially if there are only one or two cats in the household. With all of these differences, we might think that the indoor cat has all of its basic needs fulfilled.This cat has plenty of food and water, a roof over its head, areas to use the bathroom and rest. What about all of the mental and physical stimulation that cats require? This consistent engagement and stimulation is commonly missing from the indoor cat’s life and it can be a significant cause of a terrible condition: “Boring Life Syndrome”. While the name of this syndrome is made up, the concern is real. The lack of engagement in the daily lives of indoor cats can lead to any number of problems, such as over-grooming, chewing inappropriate items and over-eating.Resources and EnrichmentTo provide a truly enriching environment for our indoor cats, we must think about how to provide resources and activities that mimic what they would naturally do in the wild. If we can do this well, then we will have the best of both worlds; the safety and consistency of an indoor environment and the engagement and fulfillment of the outdoor environment.Enrichment doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are 6 simple tips you can implement today: Food: Offer multiple small meals per day, rather than 1 or 2 large meals. Hide these meals around the house or place small amounts of food in a puzzle feeder to encourage activity while fulfilling the primal urge to hunt. Playtime It is important to incorporate small sessions of play into your feline friend’s day. Try something that they can chase, and then grab ahold of and sink their teeth into at the end of the activity. This will mimic hunting in the wild while burning calories and increasing mental engagement. Each cat is different, “play” around with what toys your cat enjoys the most and mix it up over time. Litter boxes: Provide enough litter boxes! A basic rule of thumb is “n + 1”. If you have 1 cat, you should have at least 2 litter boxes in your home. If you have 3 cats, you should have a minimum of 4 litter boxes in your home. Ideally, a litter box should be located on each level of your home for easy access. This becomes particularly important if you have a geriatric cat. Clean your litter boxes daily! We want our cats to use the same litter box each and every time in our home. Our best bet for consistent success is to provide enough litter boxes and keep those boxes as clean as possible. Scratching: Scratching is a normal cat behavior. It helps cats mark their territory, both visually and via pheromones that are left behind on the objects they scratch. Scratching is also a great way for cats to stretch their muscles by reaching well up onto a vertical surface such as a tree trunk to leave their mark. Offer multiple scratching posts in different areas of the house. One of the best locations may be near their favorite sleeping area, as they can reach up onto the post and have a good stretch after their nap Offer both vertical and horizontal oriented scratching posts. Pay attention to which type of orientation and which surface textures your cat prefers the most. Places to take a “cat nap”: When it is time to rest, cats like to have a place that is comfortable and safe. You may find that some of your cat’s favorite areas to nap are under the bed or on the back of the couch with some sunshine warming their body. You can create ideal resting places by providing a comfortable spot in a quiet, undisturbed area of your house. Room with a view: Elevated perches are ideal areas for your cat to catch a view of the world around him or her. For some cats, these elevated perches may also be one of their favorite spots to hunker down and catch a few Z’s. To recap, there are two basic concepts to remember when providing an optimal environment for our feline friends. Provide all the basic resources that your cat needs to be healthy Keep your cat actively engaged throughout their daily routine with enriching activities. Cats enrich our lives – let’s enrich theirs!