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The Winter Skin Blues
In these, the coldest days of the year, complete with snow and ice outside, how cracked and dry is your skin? As the cold weather has set in and we've cranked up the thermostat in our homes an annoying little problem starts to occur amongst all of us-human and animal alike-DRY skin. Late fall and all the way through winter is the most common time for our pets to have dry skin and more dander than normal. So what can we do to help our pets with this common winter-time ailment?
For dogs, take these steps to take care of their hair & skin:
1. Bathe your dog as little as needed to keep him/her clean. When you do bathe use a moisturizing shampoo specially formulated for dogs. Oatmeal based shampoos are generally very soothing and are not as harsh as shampoo made for humans. |
2. Brush your dog as often as you can to remove dead, unhealthy hair and dander.
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3. Follow a bath when necessary with a moisturing rinse or conditioner made for dogs. |
4. A great coat and healthy skin comes from within. Use a good, quality food and consult our veterinarians about the addition of supplements to help. |
For cats, take these steps to take care of their hair & skin:
1. Comb your cat's hair often to remove dander and loosen hair. |
2. Don't bathe your cat unles you need to clean the hair coat of grease, oil, or dirt. Remember cats give themselves baths everyday! If you do have to bathe your cat, use a conditioning rinse afterwards that is specially formulated for cat's skin.
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3. As with dogs, make sure you are feeding your cat a quality food that will provide adequate nutrition for glossy, healthy hair. Consult our veterinarians before addint any supplement to their diet. |
Check out our full line of shampoos for every skin type. We also carry conditioners to remoisturize the dryest of skin.
Sometimes, our pets are afflicted with more than dry skin. Skin irratations, open sores, excessive hair loss, dull or dry hair, and constant foot-licking and /or face-rubbing are all signs that your pet may be suffering from something else. These symptoms are all a reason to consult us for examination and treatment.
If your pet has a persistent itch, it is important to find out why. Scratching can be due to allergies, irritations or infections, and also because of parasites like fleas or mites. Attempting a home remedy may only complicate or delay treatment so always seek our advice if the scratching persists.
We have no choice but to learn to live with the cold this winter, and we hope we have given you some helpful hints when it comes to dry winter skin care.
To Spay or Neuter: The Responsible Choice
One of the most important choices as a pet owner we have to make is whether or not to spay or neuter our pets. Spaying and neutering are safe surgical procedures that prevent an animal from being able to reproduce. This is not only extremely important in helping pet overpopulation, but is also the healthiest option for your pet. We recommend this procedure be done at 6 months of age.
Spaying is the surgical removal of the female's uturus and ovaries. A spayed female does not go into heat. Spaying a female greatly reduces her risk of mammary tumors and uterine or ovarian cancer. A common misconception is that our female dogs should have a heat cycle, or a litter before getting spayed. There is no medical reason for either of these myths. Spay her before her first heat cycle.
Neutering is the surgical removal of the male's testicles. Neutering a male can eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Un-neutered male cats often tend to "mark" their territory by spraying due to the testosterone in their system. It has also been reported that this extra testosterone can illicit more aggressive behavior in males.
Unaltered pets tend to want to roam and fight. Spaying or neutering does not change an animal's personality. They do not become less loyal, they do not become less protective; instead they are no longer preoccupied with the search for a mate and can become more affectionate to their owners.
With over a million pets destroyed each year because there are not enough good homes, please help do your part! Make the responsible, healthy choice to have your pet spayed or neutered.
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"Brrr...it's cold outside", says Shelby & Abby.
The Latest News
February is National Pet Dental Health Month & We're Celebrating Early!
Help keep your pet smiling with great specials starting in JANUARY!
Did you know that without proper oral care 80% of all dogs and cats by the age of three will have the early signs of oral disease? Oral disease not only causes foul breath and pain for your pet but a number of other health problems including tooth loss, red and bleeding gums, mouth infections, and can even lead to heart and kidney problems. Let us help you get your pet on the road to great oral care in 2010! Professional dental care and a regular at-home routine will help your pet enjoy a longer, healthier life. Plus it keeps your pet's breath fresh for more "enjoyable" kisses.
During the months of January & February we are pleased to offer the following:
1. Courtesy Dental Examinations! A thorough evaluation of the mouth, teeth and gums will be performed. Appropriate direction will be given to you based on the condition of your pet's mouth & potential pain level. Please phone us to schedule this appointment. |
2. 15% off Dental Cleanings, which include:
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3. 15% Off Dental Supplies! This includes toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleansing gels and sprays, and enzymatic dental treats. |
4. 15% Off Prescription Dental Diets! The first bag of any prescription food is always free (through rebate); all prescription dental diets are 15% off this month. |
So how do you know if your dog or cat has a dental problem? Some signs are bad breath, brown or yellow teeth, excessive drooling, bleeding from the mouth, or a change in eating and drinking habits. Our courtesy dental exam would be a great way to determine your pet's need for a dental cleaning if you are not sure.
Call us today at 291-3932 (MRAH) or 228-0645 (96th Street)to get more details on dental health month, or to schedule your pet's courtesy dental exam. You can also log on to www.petdental.com for great pet dental health information.
Puppy class antics! Dyce taking a tee shirt.
Free Puppy Seminars Back!
Thinking of getting a puppy? Just got a puppy? You are invited to bring your family to this free, 1 hour seminar, which will cover such topics as potty training, how to make a good start with training, and preventing behavior problems. This seminar is mandatory for anyone interested in attending our Sensible Puppy Class held on Wednesday nights at our 96th Street office. Please bring puppy's vaccination records, but leave puppy at home. Even if you are not planning on coming to Puppy Class, you are encouraged to attend this class to learn about successfully training your new family member.
Register now for one of our free Puppy Seminar by calling either location! The first seminar will be held Wednesday, January 20th at 7pm at our 96th Street office. This seminar is for you & your family--please leave puppy at home for this one.
Please call either 291-3932 (MRAH) or 228-0645 (96th Street) to get signed up!
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Sophia, Edna, & Gallant romping around!
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