Monthly Archives: October 2017Halloween Pet Safety
While the Halloween holiday can be lots of fun for people, it can be a stressful and frightening time for pets. Here’s how to keep them safe. Candy is a NO! Chocolate can be deadly to your dogs and cats, so be sure to keep treats out of their reach. Artificially sweetened treats with xylitol can be poisonous for pets, even in small amounts. Keep your pets confined on Halloween night. Constant doorbell ringing, doors opening and closing, plus costumed visitors can be highly stressful, so it’s best to keep your critters crated or in a room well away from the door and all the action to reduce stress. Keep glow sticks away from your pets! Glow sticks have become a popular accessory for little trick-or-treaters, but the temptation to chew them can become an issue if your pet gets ahold of one. While the interior gel is non-toxic, it can still make your pet sick. Keep pets away from lit Jack-o-lanterns, candles and other decorations. Reduce the temptation for pets to get up close and personal with Halloween decor – they could get burnt, or cause a fire if they knock something over. Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless they love it. Pets can be fickle – while one pet may adore dressing up and performing their own personal fashion parade, others will be freaked out by them. Costumes should not restrict the pet’s ability to move or breathe freely, block their vision or reduce their hearing. Any costumed pet should be supervised closely. Important numbers to keep at hand: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: 888-426-4435 Pet Poison Helpline: 844-520-4639 Happy Halloween, everyone! In Celebration of Vet Techs
If you are interested in becoming a veterinary technician, some of the duties to look forward to might include:
In order to become a certified veterinary technician in the state of Arizona, you must graduate from a minimum two year AVMA accredited program in veterinary technology and pass a national and a state veterinary technician examination. If you have any questions about becoming a technician or are already a certified technician looking for a new job, we’re always looking for awesome team members with the right attitude to join our family! With 22 locations and growing, we have wonderful opportunities all across the valley. Visit the careers page on our website (www.arizonapetvet.com/careers) to see our current openings. Source: https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/scope_vet_assistant_duties.pdf Is My Pet Too Fat?
Obesity is a HUGE problem in our country and it’s not just exclusive to people. In the U.S., it’s estimated that 57 percent of cats and 52 percent of dogs are overweight or clinically obese. While a chubby pug or a fat cat may be adorably cute, the health consequences can be devastating for them and for you. Excess weight not only affects their quality of life, it can also make a BIG impact on your veterinary bills. October 11th is Pet Obesity Awareness Day, so it’s a great time to learn the common causes of obesity in pets, and act before excess weight negatively impacts your pet’s health, and your heart and wallet. So What’s Causing Pets to Get Fat? Pet owners. When you’re busy, it’s easy to slip treats to a pet that wants your attention, or because they look so cute, sweet, sad…we all have our weak spots. If your pet learns you’ll reward them for a particular behavior, they’ll work it. Yes, this means overfeeding is one of the main culprits – but it’s not just treat-based. Many people simply fill their pet’s bowl with food without thinking about the calories. Always use a measuring cup and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for weight, age and activity levels. Lack of exercise is another issue – make sure your dog gets walks regularly (it’s good for you both) and that both cats and dogs get plenty of play time and activities to keep them moving. Even cats can be trained to walk on a leash – why not give it a try? It’s our job as pet parents to take care of our furry friends. Obesity in pets is not always due too many treats and too little exercise. Just as in humans, underlying health issues like diabetes, thyroid or adrenal disorders can also cause weight gain in animals. If your pet is gaining weight, or already overweight or obese, it’s time to schedule a visit to the vet! According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s pet weight translator: • A Yorkie weighting 12 pounds is the same as an average female weighing 218 pounds! Check out your pet’s weight equivalent by breed, age and gender here to see if they are at a healthy weight or need to lose weight: http://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-weight-translator/ Bottom line: Obesity can take years off of your pet’s life – and it’s up to you to do something. Check out the guidelines in the link above, and schedule regular health check-ups. Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Every year in the United States there are up to 4 million animals of all ages in shelters waiting to be adopted. Tragically, most of them will not find loving homes, and they will be euthanized. The Greater Phoenix Metro area has dozens of wonderful rescue organizations, including breed specific rescues, many with low adoption fees. The Maricopa County Animal Control Center regularly holds events with low to no fee adoption. A quick Google search for ‘Arizona Dog Rescue’ will give you a list of possibilities to explore. So when you’re looking for your next pet, don’t shop – rescue! Who knows? You may find the love of your life. And that’s a great bargain at any price.
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