PetAmberAlert.com is a commercial service that takes several actions to find your lost pet. First, they will take your contact information and the pet’s name, age, breed, color, the location last seen, photos and any other relevant details. They then create a professionally designed poster that will be faxed and emailed to veterinarians, animal shelters, animal control officers, police stations, media outlets, pet stores and “Neighborhood Watch Volunteers” within 10 to 70 miles from where your pet was last seen. They will then get into action a system of phone alerts to thousands of your neighbors within minutes using state-of-the-art technology. Needless to say your alert goes into their missing pet database. Because the system, thousands of people are now looking for your pet and will call PetAmberAlert.com when it is found.

There have been some very good successes.

“I would not have my dog back if I had not paid for this service. He had already been gone for two weeks and this was my last hope at getting him back. It was the best money spent and worth every cent. A lady contacted me because she had seen the Petamberalert at Petco when she went to buy Bosco food. She had him since the day he went missing three weeks prior. He had gotten in the car with her son. He was very well taken care, fed well and was taken to the park each day while he was gone. He even had a new collar with an engraved new name. If she had not seen your flyer posted he would not have come home to us and our children. Thank you so much.” – Leslie Folse, dog named Bosco found in Alexander, AR

There are a number of different packages for the service. $39.95 sends missing pet posters to 25 local animal shelters, veterinarians and pet businesses; $59.95 to send phone alerts to 250 neighbors; or $99.95 to send both phone alerts and posters. A premium plan for $249.99 sends calls to 1,250 neighbors and missing pet posters to 100 businesses. You can choose if you want to use the phone system or poster system only or combined.

Here is a video about the service.

Don't let your pet get overheated!

Summer is just around the corner. And in Texas that means plenty of 95° plus days with lots of humidity. As difficult as this kind of weather may be for humans, it’s especially hard on dogs and cats because they run an increased risk for getting heatstroke.

Pet heatstroke can happen even on what might seem like a mild day. For example, if you’re traveling with your pet and you leave him or her in the car without opening a window, your animal pal could quickly develop heat stroke symptoms  from being in a small, overheated environment.  Fido or Kitty could also get sick if they stay out for too long in excessively hot weather.

The symptoms of pet heatstroke include the following:

•  panting
• drooling
• bright red or very pale gums
• a rapid heartbeat
• weakness
• high body temperature

Other signs that a dog or cat has become dangerously overheated are vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures, coma and death.

Some breeds of dogs and cats–in particular, those with long hair or short noses–are especially susceptible to heat stroke. This is because long hair retains body heat and short noses make it difficult for dogs or cats that have them to do the one thing (pant) that allows them to relieve being hot.  Older animals, puppies, kittens or any pet with medical issues is also more vulnerable to heatstroke.

If your dog or cat gets sick, the first thing you need to do is get him or her out of the sun or hot area immediately and into a cold bath. You can also put rubbing alcohol on paw pads and groin areas.  If you are away from home when this happens, turn on the air conditioning in your car to keep your animal pal cool and take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

At Austin Pet and Bird, we accept all emergency cases and especially those that involve heatstroke. Since every major system in your dog or cat’s body gets affected when the internal temperature goes too high, we will do a complete examination and lab tests to ensure that no organ damage has occurred. When your pet gets too much of that Texas sun,  make every second count.  Contact or visit us immediately!

Photo credit: Willem Siers

Fiber comes in two varieties: soluble and insoluble. The former helps push through the digestive system digested particles and hair that your dog or cat might ingest when grooming. It also adds bulk to stool,  helps prevent constipation and can assist in weight loss because it helps Fido or Kitty feel full on much fewer calories.

Insoluble fiber is much like its soluble cousin. It has all of the same characteristics as soluble fiber, but is also prone to fermentation. This means that it is prebiotic and has the ability to keep the good bacteria living in the digestive tract alive so that they can aid in the digestive process.

One form of insoluble fiber that often gets used in dog and cat food is beet pulp, which is what remains of a sugar beet once the sugar has been extracted. Beet pulp helps maintain stool solidity, bulk and moisture content. It also helps to move digested particles through the bowel at a moderate rate, which reduces the chance of constipation and diarrhea.

Beet pulp can be especially helpful in the treatment of such conditions as colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and overgrowth of bacteria harmful to the digestive system. It may even be a helpful ally in the fight against cancer, as it can work to eliminate toxins and abnormal conditions in the digestive tract that can lead to the disease.

The DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic are happy to talk to you in greater depth about how fiber can help your dog or cat maintain optimum health. Our  experts can give your furry friend a thorough checkup to make the best possible recommendations. Your pet gives you the gift of joy every day. Shouldn’t you give your pet the gift of health in return?

Photo credit: Willem Siers

This behavior typically comes about when an owner who has trained his or her four-legged pal to expect constant companionship suddenly and inexplicably–at least, to the pet–disappears.  Fido or Kitty can feel very unsettled by such an event and become frantic and/or destructive as a result. Imagine if someone you trusted and who was with you all the time went away with no explanation, how would you feel?

The best way to deal with pet separation anxiety is to help your dog or cat learn to accept that there will be periods of time when you will not be with them. During the periods when you are home, make sure that Fido or Kitty has some alone time when he or she can be away from you. You can do this on a gradient – short periods of time first and then longer ones as the pet gets used to greater independence.

When you leave, it’s important not to make too much of it so Fido or Kitty doesn’t feel like something is wrong. When you return, don’t automatically lavish your pet with attention or scold him or her for bad behavior. You might find it helpful to give your animal pal a treat before you leave to communicate that all is well. Just be sure not to do this when you return and find that the pet has torn up your home–you don’t want to reinforce further naughtiness.

While most cases of pet separation anxiety are caused by faulty (or unintentional) home training, some are caused by medical issues. If you see any new negative behavior in your cat or dog, make an appointment at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic. Our DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) will examine your pet from nose to tail to make sure the naughtiness doesn’t come from something that could seriously compromise Fido or Kitty’s health. Contact us today!

Photo credit: posterize

Some scientists believe that feline hyperthyroidism is caused by the presence of iodine, a potentially toxic nutrient, in a cat’s diet.  In humans, too low a level of iodine can cause swelling of the thyroid gland. In cats, however, scientists have found that same problem can occur when too much iodine is present.

One solution is to feed older felines special food that contains lower levels of iodine than does regular cat food.   Current research shows that keeping a feline on this kind of diet can reduce the need for medical intervention if not completely eliminate hyperthyroidism entirely. A few companies are starting to make dietary products with restricted iodine levels. But it’s important to remember that this kind of food is sold by prescription only since it would harm kittens or pregnant cats.

Sometimes, however, high thyroid levels are the result of cancer.  This situation is quite different from one that has its origins in iodine over-supplementation and requires appropriate handling depending on the kind of cancer involved.

If you have an older cat, you should make sure to have him or her tested for hyperthyroidism even if your animal pal appears to be healthy.  The veterinarians at Austin Pet and Bird can check out your feline for high thyroid levels and other health issues that inevitably crop up with advancing age.   Your cat deserves the best, so let us help you keep Kitty going strong for a long time to come.

Photo credit: Gidion Lubbe

Take care of yourself first

You need to make sure that you are safe and won’t get hurt in the process of trying to help.  If you see a dog lost on a busy freeway, for example, resist the temptation to pull over to try and rescue the wayward canine while trying to dodge traffic yourself.  Getting hurt will only compound the problem and guarantee you won’t be able to help.

Is the animal friendly?

You’ll need to ascertain whether or not Fido or Kitty will accept your advances. If so, then you can proceed to get a hold of the animal and bring him or her to a safe place until the owner or official animal rescue personnel can pick the pet up.

If the animal is unfriendly–and especially if it seems he or she could injure you–then the best thing to do is call professionals. You might try to slip a loop leash over the animal’s neck to capture the pet without touching him or her and then lead the animal to safety until help arrives. But proceed with caution.

Is the animal injured?

Animals that are hurt are much more likely to strike out. If Fido or Kitty is in danger and must be moved before help arrives, you may have to do so yourself.

You can create a muzzle for a dog by tying a loop on a rope, leash, tie or even a pair of pantyhose.  Slip the loop over the muzzle, tighten the knot over the top of the muzzle, put the ends back behind the head under the ears and tie again. If the animal in question is a cat, you can use a towel, jacket or  large cloth to wrap him or her up.

Try to make sure that you don’t injure the animal further.

If you can’t move the animal, try to protect him or her. If you are stopped on a heavily-trafficked road, consider putting your caution lights on and setting out flares if you have them.

If the injured stray dog or cat happens to be your own, then you need to bring him or her to Austin Pet and Bird Clinic immediately. Our veterinarians take emergency cases and are there to help your four-legged friend when he or she needs it most. When every second counts, we guarantee you can count on us.

Photo credit: jiggoja

This behavior is called pica. If it goes on for a long time, it can be quite harmful to your cat or dog. Dirt and feces in particular can give rise to infections and plastic can obstruct the passage of food and water through the intestine and in extreme cases, require surgical intervention to remove blockages.

Your furry friend may be indulging in non-food binges because he or she may have some kind of nutritional deficiency such as iron. If Fido or Kitty has an otherwise good diet, then chances are your furry friend may have a problem with digestion or nutrient absorption. Intestinal parasites could be the culprit here as they tend to steal a pet’s nutrients from the gut. Otherwise, it’s possible that your pet may have liver or pancreatic issues that need to be addressed.

Other causes of pica may be behavioral. If your dog or cat is young or especially active, he or she may be expressing boredom in the act of eating non-food items. Some purebred cats can engage in pica behaviors if they are weaned too young and eat a low-roughage diet or don’t eat grass. In the latter case, giving Kitty access to grass increases dietary fiber and helps eliminate pica.

Regardless of what’s causing this disturbing syndrome in your pet, it’s important that you make an appointment at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic to get your animal pal checked out. Our DVMs will run all necessary medical tests to get to the bottom of Fido or Kitty’s non-food binging habits and give you tips on how you can modify your pet’s behavior should no disease be present. When you need the services of veterinarians who truly care, contact us!

Photo credit: Willem Siers

Xylitol is typically found in toothpastes, sugar-free gums, low carb baked goods and desserts. It’s also available as a powdered sweetener and is recommended substitute for diabetics and people watching their carbohydrate intake.  While this food additive has no side effects in humans, it does seem to adversely affect some dogs.

In low doses, xylitol increases insulin production in a canine’s pancreas which in turn severely lowers blood sugar levels.  This in turn results in weakness, vomiting, staggered movements and even seizures. These symptoms occur within half an hour of ingestion.

Higher doses may give rise to the same symptoms, but also include potential liver failure. And when liver failure occurs, toxins build up in the body, which causes bleeding to occur in the lungs and other body cavities and, to a lesser extent in the gums and the whites of the eyes.

The outcome of excess xylitol ingestion is often death. Unfortunately, though,  it’s next to impossible to say how much of this sweetener causes toxicity in any given dog. Amounts as low as .07 grams per pound of body weight could be deadly to your pooch. Age, previous medical conditions and how quickly an affected pet gets seen by a vet also play a role in whether a dog will survive or not.

The DVMs at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic are experts in handling emergency cases of pet poisoning. Regardless of whether your four-legged canine pal has ingested xylitol or some other harmful substance, we can help. When every second counts, why give your dog anything less than the very best care?

Photo credit: photostock

Catnip – also known as Nepeta cataria – is the common name for a herb that’s part of the mint family. It is native to Europe and an import to the United States where it has established itself as a widespread weed.  Cats will respond to it after they smell or ingest it. Interestingly, while the scent of catnip will stimulate a feline, a dose of catnip oil will actually do the opposite.

Scientists are unsure about exactly what happens in a cat’s brain when he or she inhales this herb. However, they do know that a chemical present in catnip called nepetalactone is what triggers the very particular response in cats of all kinds including tigers. Scientists also know that the catnip response is inherited and that about 15% of all felines are immune to it.

The reaction only lasts a short time. Then the feline acclimates to it. It can take an hour or two away from the herb for the cat’s system to clear. If the feline is exposed to catnip again, the same reaction can take place. Kittens are less likely to have a reaction which may have something to do with the fact that they have not yet reached sexual maturity.

The DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic are always happy and available to talk to you about your cat and feline health and wellness in general. We’re dedicated to helping you keep your animal pal in the pink for a long time to come. When you have questions, we have answers. Contact us today!

True mange is caused by skin mites and comes in two varieties. The less serious type, which is known as Demodectic mange, involves skin mites crawling into and living in a pet’s hair follicles.  This condition is typically seen in puppies or immune-suppressed animals and is localized to a small area, such as a spot on the leg or around the eyes. Sometimes, though it can be generalized and cover most or all of an animal’s body. This form of mange is not contagious.

The second, more serious type is called Sarcoptic mange and can be passed between animals and to humans as well. It can be just at the ear tips causing uncomfortably itchy scales or it can be all over a dog’s body. The mites that cause Sarcoptic mange live directly on the skin or just under the skin cells, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease.  Sometimes vets have to make an educated guess and do a trial mange treatment if Fido doesn’t respond to allergy therapies.

Treatments for either kind of mange usually involve some form of topical medicine designed to eliminate the mites and/or any secondary irritation and infection. Sometimes, a veterinarian will also use injections or pills to help with the healing process.  The approach will vary from dog to dog and will depend upon such factors as the severity of the disease and the overall health of the afflicted animal.

If the hair loss and irritation don’t clear up on their own, you need to make an appointment at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic. Our veterinarians will give your dog a thorough checkup and run any necessary tests to determine what’s eating Fido. The sooner your canine pal gets seen, the better. Let us help your pet today!

Photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net