To get in on the act, you simply need to nominate Austin by visiting www.petsafe.net by May 31. Finalists will be selected based on the availability of land, civic leader support, population size and total number of votes from community supporters. PetSafe will select 15 finalists based on information provided by the cities, and each community must provide documentation of land availability and civic leader support to be eligible.

On June 5, PetSafe will announce the finalist communities that will continue “barking” for their park by voting daily on www.petsafe.net and PetSafe’s Facebook page. The finalist city with the most votes will be named the “top dog” and win a $100,000 PetSafe dog park, and four additional pet-passionate finalist cities will receive $25,000 to put toward their local dog park plans. “Bark for Your Park” contest winners will be announced on July 31.

Here is a video:

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This particular video has over 1.4 million views so far.

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Hey, I understand...it's for the best.

Neutering Male Dogs

Neutering is the removal of the testicles in male animals. Aside from the obvious (they can no longer reproduce), there are several reasons our doctors recommend neutering. A neutered male will not have the urge to mate. This can reduce the chances of the them escaping the yard to chase females that are in heat. Male dogs are at high risk for prostate diseases such as infections and even testicular cancer just like older men. Prostate problems can go a long time before being noticed. By the time these conditions are noticed they can be severe and even life threatening. The treatment could cost you more than $1,000. Our doctors recommend that your dog be neutered as soon as he is 4 months of age.

Neutering Male Cats

Just as in dogs, neutering is the removal of the testicles in male cats. There are several reasons our doctors recommend neutering tom cats other than just population control. Kittens neutered before they start spraying are almost guaranteed not to start. Because of their fighting, we see a lot of tom cats with bite and scratch wounds(some severe). An intact male cat’s exposure level to Feline Leukemia and Aids will be much greater due to them constantly trying to breed and getting into these fights. At 2 years old 95% of outdoor or indoor/outdoor male cats have Feline Leukemia or Aids. If you do not plan to breed your cat, we strongly recommend that he is neutered anytime after he is 4 months old.

Again, it is never too late to have your pet neutered and there are tests that can be run to help take precautions before they go under anesthesia.

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STEP 1

Get into the proper frame of mind. Bathing a dog may not be easy, but the benefits are manifold. Fido will be clean and odor-free. Better still, you will have had the chance to check for any skin irregularities that might need to be examined by a vet.

STEP 2

When you are ready, prepare the bathing area. If you’re using a regular bathtub, put a nonstick bathmat in the tub to keep Fido from slipping. Gather together everything you’ll need in advance, including pet shampoo and towels.

STEP 3

Before the actual bath itself, take your dog a long walk around the neighborhood. Doing so will help drain any excess energy and reduce any anxiety your canine pal may feel about getting subjected to soap and water.

STEP 4

Lead your dog to the bathtub and gently start wetting him or her down with warm water. Begin at Fido’s neck and shoulders and work your way down the body, leaving the face for last. Be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly so no shampoo is left behind. Remain calm at all times to show Fido that there’s nothing to fear.

STEP 5

Towel-dry your dog. You can also use a blow dryer. If you do, make sure to put it on the lowest, gentlest setting. Be aware that Fido will likely try to shake him or herself off, so be prepared for your own “bath.”

Taking care of your dog’s external appearance is only part of your job as a pet owner. To make sure Fido is both clean and healthy, you should also make an appointment at Austin Pet and Bird for a check up. Our veterinarians will give your canine pal a full examination to ensure that he or she stays happy and playful for many years to come. Contact us today!

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No need to study so hard, your Austin Pet and Bird Clinics have done the research

How can we determine the cause of weight loss in my pet?

A thorough history and physical examination will provide us with some initial “clues”; for example, a cat with a mass in the neck region will increase our index of suspicion for thyroid disease, whereas abnormal heart or lung sounds suggest underlying cardiovascular disease. Often the cause of the weight loss will not be evident on physical examination alone, and a series of screening tests will be recommended. These screening tests include a complete blood count (CBC), a serum biochemistry profile, a urinalysis, fecal flotation, and evaluation of thyroid hormones in cats.

What might these screening tests indicate?

The complete blood count provides us with an evaluation of the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelet components of a blood sample. This numerical analysis is accompanied by a microscopic evaluation of these cells on a blood smear.

Anemia may accompany many of the diseases that result in weight loss. The degree of anemia is often related to the severity of the underlying disease. The type of anemia and therefore the underlying cause of the weight loss may be suggested by examination of the blood smear. As one example, anemia due to chronic intestinal or urinary tract blood loss is characterized by small red blood cells containing less hemoglobin than usual.

Underlying inflammatory or infectious conditions may be suggested by increases in the white blood cell numbers. The appearance of atypical or unusual white blood cells might be indicative of underlying bone marrow or other neoplasia (cancer).

The serum biochemistry profile provides us with an evaluation of many organ systems including the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. In addition to organ related enzymes, the biochemistry profile evaluates blood sugar (glucose), proteins, cholesterol, and electrolytes.

Increases in the liver related enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), are suggestive of underlying liver disease. Mild increases in ALT and ALP in cats may also be supportive of thyroid disease. A marked increase in serum glucose concentration, especially if accompanied by the finding of glucose in the urine, is supportive of diabetes mellitus. Changes in the electrolyte (salt and mineral) composition of blood may be suggestive of underlying Addison’s disease.

Decreases in the serum proteins, namely albumin and globulins, may be the result of either blood loss or loss of protein via the intestinal tract or kidneys. When protein values are decreased, it is important to know what the CBC results are so that blood loss as a cause of protein loss can either be confirmed or eliminated.

The biochemistry profile provides us with an indication of kidney function by measuring two metabolites that are usually cleared from the blood via the kidneys. These metabolites are urea and creatinine. Increases in urea and creatinine are associated with kidney disease or with dehydration. In order to determine which might be the cause, the concentrating ability of the kidneys must also be assessed. Such an assessment is provided by the urinalysis.

A urinalysis provides us with an evaluation of the chemical and physical characteristics of a urine sample. It is essential to properly interpret any changes found on the serum biochemistry profile. Knowledge of the urine concentration, as well as urine glucose concentration, is vital in the diagnosis of kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, respectively.

A fecal flotation simply requires a fresh stool sample. This sample is evaluated microscopically for the presence of intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasitism is more common in young animals and in those eating raw foods (such as cats that hunt). A large parasite burden may cause weight loss.

The majority of cases of hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed using a single blood test that measures the total thyroxine (T4) concentration.Because hyperthyroidism in cats is due to the unregulated production of thyroid hormones (primarily T4), the blood T4 concentration is usually markedly elevated in cats with the disease.

What additional tests might be indicated for the evaluation of weight loss?

Any additional testing that may be recommended will depend entirely on the combined results of the history, physical examination, and initial screening tests.

Given the many possible causes of weight loss, it is not possible to list all potential additional tests. However, a
few of the more common additional tests are listed below:

• In cats, underlying viral disease due to feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus should be investigated. This requires a single blood sample.
• If hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease) is suspected, then confirmation of this disease will require an ACTH stimulation test.
• Determination of the serum fructosamine concentration may be done to confirm diabetes mellitus.
• Serum bile acid concentrations are often used to confirm hepatic dysfunction.
• Problems with digestion of food due to deficiencies in pancreatic enzymes may be confirmed with a serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity test.
• A urine Protein:Creatinine ratio may be indicated to quantify the amount of protein being lost in the urine.
• Imaging studies such as x-rays or ultrasound may be undertaken if a tumor is identified. X-rays will also help us to evaluate the contents ofthe chest or abdominal cavity.
• Fine needle aspiration or other biopsy techniques may be employed to obtain cells from any enlarged organs or masses.
• Electrocardiophic studies might be indicated if abnormalities in heart size, rate, rhythm, or sounds are identified.

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Being an indoor cat does have it's advantages...

If you decide to keep your cat as an indoor pet, you will need to be very aware of the extra responsibility that an indoor cat brings. You must take the time and trouble to ensure that the indoor environment offers the cat the opportunity to express as many of its natural behaviors as possible.

What do I need to do to make my indoor cat happy?

The most important thing for you to consider when you decide to keep a cat indoors is how you are going to provide for its behavioral needs. Obviously you will have thought about the need for food, water, elimination, and warmth, but have you considered your cat’s need to hunt, its need to be able to retreat and hide and its need to feel in control. Providing for the behavioral needs of a cat is not difficult but it does require some time, some thought and some commitment.

Why does my cat need to hunt when I feed it so well?

The feline desire to hunt is not connected to the sensation of hunger and no matter how well you feed your cat it will still react to the sight and sound of prey with an instinctive stalk. Obviously indoor cats are unlikely to come across natural prey, but anything that moves rapidly or squeaks in a high pitch can trigger the same behavioral response. Toys are therefore essential for an indoor cat and you need to make sure that the ones that you buy are attractive to your pet. Those that squeak and can be moved rapidly and unpredictably are probably the best. You can also select toys that mimic real prey in terms of size, texture and color. Small toys, and it is worth remembering that small toys that resemble mice rather than rats, are usually more successful! Play sessions for indoor cats need to be frequent and regular and if your cat is interested and willing you should aim to give your cat at least three play sessions of 10 minutes, every day. You can have hours of fun playing with your cat, but remember that the independent action of hunting is important, so do not be tempted to get too involved in the play sessions and give your cat plenty of opportunity to catch its prey. If you do not want to induce your cat to ambush your hands and ankles later on, it is also worth avoiding any predatory play with human flesh, so hands and feet under the covers and running fingers across the back of the sofa are not advisable.

How do I ensure that my cat has enough to occupy its time?

One of the most important considerations for an indoor cat is how you are going to occupy it 24 hours a day. Of course cats are famous for their desire to sleep and it is certainly true that your cat will be happy to wile away many an hour in front of the fire or next to the radiator. However,indoor cats do need access to activity that will stimulate both their mind and their body and provide the exercise that they would naturally engage in if they were out and about. Cat aerobic centers offer climbing, hiding and playing opportunities and can be ideal for indoor cats. Your cat needs to have easy access to the center and to be able to get at it from a number of different angles. If possible, you should put it in the middle of a room rather than in a corner or under the stairs. Scratching posts are also essential, since there is no opportunity for your cat to condition its claws on the shed roof or the fence post. You need to make sure that the post is tall enough to allow your cat to get a good position on the scratching surface.

Should I feed my cat at specific times or should I leave food down in the bowl all of the time?

Cats are not social feeders and therefore set meal times are not of any inherent benefit to them. Ad lib systems that allow the cat to eat when it wants to and to consume small amounts frequently, are most natural. It is important to remember that wild cats need to hunt and kill their prey before they can eat and that the whole feeding process takes some considerable time. On average 1 in 15 hunting expeditions will be successful per day and in order to acquire enough food to survive most cats need in excess of 100 hunting expeditions a day. This can take between 6 and 8 hours a day and it is not hard to see how simply providing ad lib food in a bowl is likely to leave most cats with a lot of time on their hands! Cats that have access to outdoors will compensate by spending time hunting insects, but for an indoor cat there has to be another approach. One solution is to put a proportion of the cat’s daily food ration in a puzzle feeder, which the cat needs to work at in order to gain access to the food, and another is to scatter the food around the house and let the cat hunt it out. Puzzle feeders do not need to be expensive and you can easily make your own from an old plastic drink bottle. All you need to do is cut holes in the bottle which are just a little larger than the diameter of the dried cat food, and then file the holes so that there are no sharp edges that could harm your cat. Fill the bottlewith dry food and then watch your cat play with the bottle and get rewarded as the food falls through the holes. Commercial toys that deliver food when chewed or manipulated are also available.

Does my cat need to climb?

The picture of a cat stuck in a tree or stranded on a roof top is a familiar one but the fact is that cats need to climb. Getting up high is an important way to relieve stress in the feline world and when your cat is feeling under pressure its instinct will be to move upwards. It is therefore very important to have accessible high up resting places and while built-in wardrobes may be great in terms of space saving for people you need to realize that they are not so good for your cat! Tops of fridge freezers, bookcases and stereo hi-fi cabinets are all popular resting places for cats, but if all of the furniture in your house is built-in you will need to make special provision for your cat in the form of shelves and radiator cradles. High vantage points allow your cat to observe the world from a place of safety. When it is not allowed the option of escaping through the cat flap these vantage points become all the more important.

If my cat hides on top of the furniture or spends its time behind the sofa should I be concerned?

Hiding is an important coping strategy for cats and when a cat is spending considerable amounts of time hiding it is important to examine why. In a cat that has recently moved into a home hiding may be a perfectly normal response to the overwhelming amount of new information. In a cat that has been resident in the house for some time hiding is likely to be a sign that all is not well. If it is possible to identify the reason for the hiding then it is important to treat that first. In many cases no clear cause can be found and in these situations you need to resist the temptation to bring the cat out to face the world. Hiding serves a purpose for the solitary hunter who needs to assess potential danger from a safe haven and simply denying the chance to hide will make things harder for the cat. Instead you should allow your pet to withdraw into safety, at least in the short term, and then work to make the home so appealing that it cannot resist the temptation to join in. If hiding persists and is accompanied by lack of appetite you should consult your veterinarian for advice.

I would like to give my cat some fresh air but I am not sure if it will walk on a lead is there any alternative?

Some cats may need to be kept permanently indoors and this can work as long as owners are aware of the responsibility that it brings. For others access to outdoors needs to be restricted, but owners would like to offer some contact with the world outside and in these cases there are a number of alternatives. The harness and lead approach is certainly one, but you are right to mention the fact that not all cats will learn to walk in this way. Introducing harnesses as early as possible will help and making a kitten accustomed to the lead will minimize resistance to its use as an adult. If you have tried introducing your cat to the harness and you have been met with overwhelming resistance you may wish to consider the use of an outdoor pen. Since cats can climb, the pen will either need a roof to prevent escape or have the sides angled inward at the top to prevent climbing over. There are a number of commercial cat containment products for both indoor and outdoor use. Ideally the pen will be accessed from the house via a cat door flap and will offer the cat access to outdoors while offering you complete peace of mind. If a pen is to be used successfully it should mimic the outside world as closely as possible and cat furniture, tree trunks, toys, scratching posts and high up resting places should all be available within the pen.

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Until April 30th, the Pet and Bird Clinics are offering a free heartworm test when a six month supply of heartworm prevention is purchased. The test can be done as part of a reduced fee examination for $15 for pets already our clients. For new clients, the reduced examination fee is $20.

To take advantage of this offer, please call us for an appointment.

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Stay busy
Involving yourself in activity, especially one you like, can really help. This is because any project you can do helps keep you focused on the world that exists outside of the emptiness you feel. Doing so will make your grief go away, but it will help you adjust your perception to the fact that water loss is a part of life, is not all there is.

It’s all right to cry as much as you want to and whenever you feel like it. If you don’t, you’ll just keep your self from being able to proceed on to the next stage of healing.

Think about about the other things that matter
Death does indeed touch many aspects of your life, but doesn’t change everything. Reflect on those things the loss hasn’t changed, such as the things you did and enjoyed without your pet.

Don’t dwell on the negative
This is especially true when it comes to the images you may have in your head about your pet’s last moments. Regardless of whether or not you witnessed them, you need to work on replacing them with more pleasant ones. If you believe in an afterlife, think about your pet as being whole and healthy in a happy new world. If you don’t, concentrate on the special things you did for your pet that made its time on earth worthwhile.

Avoid making decisions you can’t undo
If you can’t look at your pets toys without bursting into tears, don’t throw them away. Just put them out of sight for a while. You may want to have them later on as keepsakes or to create a memorial for your pet. Also, don’t rush out and get a new pet until you’ve had time to work through grief.

Count your blessings
No matter how bad you may feel, take time to remind yourself of all the good things you still have. You can make a list, either in your head or in written form. These won’t entirely make up for the loss, but they will remind you of what you do have.

At Austin Pet and Bird Clinic, we understand how difficult it is for people who are facing the impending death of a sick pet or who are going through the grieving process. Our veterinarians can give you the advice you need on how to best care for a terminally ill animal or on putting your pet to sleep. Don’t go through your loss alone: let us help you say goodbye to your pet with dignity and compassion.

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The first thing to do is look at what your animal pal is consuming. If Fido eats raw meat, garbage or feces, chances are you’ve located the problem. Eliminate access to that source (or sources) to see if that improves your dog’s condition.

Make sure you are giving canine high-quality, easy-to-digest food along with hard, safe chew toys to play with. Both will help get rid of plaque which is a major culprit in most cases of canine halitosis. You may also want to consider taking a doggie toothbrush and doggie toothpaste to Fido’s teeth or getting his/her teeth professionally cleaned.

If Fido’s halitosis doesn’t go away, then you’ll probably need to take your dog to the vet. Other signs that your animal pal may have a more serious underlying medical problem include:

• sweet or fruity-smelling breath, which could indicate diabetes
• urine-smelling breath, which could indicate kidney disease
• bad breath accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite and yellow-tinged corneas, which could indicate liver disease

Our vets at Austin Pet and Bird offer both medical evaluations and dental checkups/cleanings for your dog. That’s because we know how crucial Fido’s oral health is to overall well-being. When bad breath gets between you and canine pal, contact us!

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Take care of your pet’s teeth.

You’ve probably heard it said that a dog’s mouth is actually cleaner than a human’s mouth. While it’s true that canines don’t get cavities as often as we do, they can still develop problems like tartar and plaque buildup. Moreover, their dental issues can eventually lead to more serious problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease, just as is the case for us humans. So dental care for dogs is important.

Here are some tips to help you keep your canine pal’s teeth and gums clean and healthy:

1. Start a dental care regimen as soon as possible

The best time to begin is when your dog is a puppy. That way he can get used to the process early on which will make things much easier for you as your dog gets older.

2. Get your pet used to brushing gradually

If your dog has never experienced tooth brushing, start slowly and stop if your dog begins to get nervous. Then every day after that, increase the time you spend working on Fido’s mouth until he gets used to it. Remember to speak gently to  your dog as you are brushing his teeth and reward him with a doggie treat afterwards.

3. Buy the right toothpaste and toothbrush for your dog

You can purchase toothpaste and toothbrushes specially formulated for canines at most good pet supply stores. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, a substance that is highly toxic to dogs. Never use it on your animal pal.

4. Give Fido chew bones and chew toys to maintain cleaner teeth

Synthetic bones and chew toys are specially designed to strengthen your dog’s teeth and gums. Be aware that other hard objects, including regular bones, can cause broken teeth.

5. Feed your dog dry food rather than soft food

Crunchy kibble is much better for your canine’s teeth then soft food. This is because soft food is much more likely to stick to teeth and cause decay.

6. Inspect Fido’s mouth on a regular basis

Even if you don’t brush your dog’s teeth, you should make it a point to look inside in his mouth every week. Consult your veterinarian if you see any signs of the following:

• misaligned or missing teeth
• discolored, broken or crooked teeth
• yellowish-brown tartar crust along the gum line
• red, swollen or bleeding gums
• growths inside the mouth
• excessive drooling
• bad breath

The Doctors of Veterinary Medicine at the Pet and Bird Clinics recommend that your dog get a tooth examination as part of a normal checkup every 6 to 12 months. Remember, good dental care not only saves you money in the long run but may also save your pet’s life. So bring your dog to see our caring veterinary staff today and keep Fido smiling bright!

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