So what’s the best way to pill your animal pal?

Dogs are usually more willing and cooperative than cats. Wrap the pill in something your canine really loves but doesn’t often get such as raw meat or cheese. Some pet stores even carry dog special treats with hollowed out centers where you can put the pill in the hollow and then feed the treat to Fido.

Sometimes, canines will catch on and  find a way to eat the food before spitting out the pill. If that happens, then coat the pill in something soft and slippery like butter and push the pill into the dog’s mouth so that it bypasses the back of the tongue.

The easiest way to do this is to take one hand and place it so that your thumb and one finger are each behind the two canine teeth. Use the ring and pinky finger of the other hand to push down the lower jaw near the front flat incisors and the thumb and forefinger to pop a pill over the back of Fido’s tongue. With both hands, close the mouth immediately and let your dog swallow.

Both techniques for pilling a dog will also work for a cat. However, you will need to mind Kitty’s claws which could cause you some injury. The way around this problem is to wrap your feline in a big towel so that he or she is immobilized and then begin the pilling process.  Don’t be surprised if you have to ask a second person to help you.

Alternately, for both dogs and cats, you can buy special pilling syringes. These tools have rounded ends that allow you to load in the pill and some soft food, which you can then “inject” over the back of your pet’s tongue.

If all else fails, you can go to a compounding pharmacist who can take the medication or supplement, transform it into a liquid and then flavor it with something Fido or Kitty will actually like.

The veterinarians at the Pet and Bird Clinic of Austin can show you the best ways to give your dog or cat pills.  We can also monitor your pet to make sure he or she is responding well to the medication or supplement.  Let us help you keep your animal pal in the pink: contact us today!

Photo credit: Maggie Smith

The causes are usually genetic in nature. Long-term tooth infections can also contribute to the disease process if not actually cause it. In cats, a virus called Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) can cause chronic renal failure as well. Obstructions, toxins, certain forms of cancer and even medications can contribute to the formation of this disease.

Treatment consists of giving the affected cat or dog plenty of fluids to eliminate the toxins remaining in the body after the breakdown of proteins and other nutrients. Depending upon the severity of the disease, a pet may only require an increase in water intake by mouth. Otherwise, he or she may need to be given additional fluids periodically, either under the skin or in the fat.

Other treatments include giving pets potassium supplements and  putting them on a quality, restricted protein diet. Sometimes, animals who suffer from a decreased appetite may not tolerate a change in their diet. In this case, it is more important to make sure your cat or dog gets nourishment rather than try to force him or her into adopting a new eating regimen.

Sometimes, a veterinarian will also recommend giving pets with CRF B-12 and iron, especially if they have anemia. Since vitamin C is water soluble and can be lost due to excess urination, this may also need to be supplemented. Vitamins such as A, D and E are fat-soluble and are therefore not affected. Some cats and dogs also develop high blood pressure  as a result of CRF and will require medicine to lower it.

If you think your animal pal may have chronic renal failure, then you need to contact the veterinarians at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic. Chronic renal failure has no cure but you can rest assured that we will develop an individualized treatment plan that will help keep your cat or dog healthy and comfortable.

The reality is, however, that many commercial pet foods are full of ingredients that may actually do more harm than good. Following is a list of some of the things you’ll commonly see listed on packages of dog or cat chow and what they really mean:

• Lamb/ lamb meal – Any dry pet food listing lamb as the first ingredient may not have much at all. This is because lamb is weighed with its full moisture content which is about 80% water. By contrast, lamb meal is fresh lamb that’s been dehydrated prior to weighing.  The result is seven times more of that ingredient.
• Poultry by-products meal – When pet food companies use poultry leftovers such as beaks, necks, feet, bones and feathers, they have to list them as poultry by-products. Poultry meal is the better choice.
• Fillers – These include grains such as corn and wheat. They are typically found in low-priced foods and require that pets eat much greater quantities of the food itself.
• Soybean – While this may be a good source of protein for omnivores like humans, they are difficult for carnivorous animals like cats and dogs to digest and may result in gas.
• Animal fat – This is an ingredient that could come from any source.  Usually it’s from what’s cheapest rather than what’s healthiest. A better source of fat is poultry tallow which is both more digestible and more palatable.
• Meat and bone – This is another ingredient that could come from any source. It’s also a way for companies to hide the fact that what they’re putting in is mostly bone.
• BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin – These are preservatives used in many pet foods. Because cats and dogs typically eat the same product regularly, these chemicals build up in their system sometimes to toxic levels.

You may consider looking at the pet foods offered at your local natural foods store. These foods are made by companies that are generally more conscious of the ingredients they use. The DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at the Austin Pet and Bird Clinic are happy to offer food and diet advice for your four-legged friend. Make an appointment to talk to us today: when you have questions, we have answers!

Keep everyone happy!

You love your dog or cat but you hate the clean-up.  After all, it’s hard enough having to clean up after yourself and the other human members of your family. So what do you do?

While you can’t make the job disappear, you can make it easier on yourself job easier in a number of ways. Here are just a few of them:

• Buy a professional-grade pet grooming brush – By combing your pet’s fur for a few minutes every day, you can remove loose hairs and limit shedding especially during the summer months.
• Keep lint rollers on hand and within easy reach –  These inexpensive devices are designed for removing fluff from clothing but work equally well to pick up stray pet hairs from beds and sofas.
• Invest in machine washable furniture throws – Doing so will protect your beds, sofas and armchairs from accumulating pet hair and make it easier for you to keep bed linens and upholstery cleaner.
• Use doormats – If you put easy-care doormats where your pet enters, you can limit the amount of dirt he or she may bring in from the outside.
• Launder pet bedding at least once a week – This will help control pet odor. Wash the bedding separately from your other items and consider using a lightly scented, hypoallergenic fabric conditioner.
• Give your pet regular baths – Cats wash themselves but dogs need baths to keep them clean and odor-free.
• Put pet food in heavy metal or ceramic bowls – Lightweight ones can tip over easily and spill food all over the floor.  Also consider putting a plastic rimmed-edge tray under your bowls to contain any stray pieces of food and wash all utensils in hot water and detergent once a week.
• Store wet pet food in sealed containers – This will keep your pet’s food fresher longer and prevent odors from escaping.

Living with a cat, dog or other furry creature can present some home care challenges. But the companionship these animals can offer is priceless. That’s why the DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic also recommend that you take your four-legged friend for routine checkups at least once a year. Cleanliness and good health makes everyone–and every pet–happy.  Make your appointment today!

Photo credit: photostock

Call Austin’s Pet and Bird Clinics today to get an appointment. Call Wells Branch at (512) 339-8472 and South Branch at (512) 462-0002.

He's your friend.

Here are some tips to help you keep your bunny in a house or an apartment:

• Consider keeping two rabbits – In the wild, bunnies live with lots of others. If you can’t give your rabbit lots of attention, it will be lonely. Keep two female rabbits together or two neutered males or a neutered male and a spayed female.
• House your rabbit(s) in a large cage – Make sure he or she has plenty of room to move around as well as designated places to eat and relieve itself. Put straw on the bottom of the cage and wood shavings in the area that will become the “bathroom.”
• Give your rabbit plenty of exercise – Your bunny needs at least two hours outside of its cage every day to move around. You can let the rabbit do so in your house with you acting as supervisor.  It’s also good to take your bunny outside on a lead and let it play in quiet, safe areas like a garden.
• Handle your rabbit with care – A rabbit has strong muscles but weak bones that can easily be broken by an awkward movement or a fall. Carry your rabbit by the scruff of the neck and support the rest of its body with your other hand or arm.
• Treat a sick rabbit immediately – Because rabbits are prey animals, they will not show they are sick. If you’re bunny stops eating, is lethargic or has no droppings, you should take  him or her to the vet as soon as possible because it means the rabbit is very ill.

You’ll also need to make sure that your bunny gets vaccinated twice a year at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic for myxomatosis, a potentially deadly disease transmitted to rabbits by mosquitoes, fleas and other biting insects.  APBC vets are trained to help all kinds of pets–including rabbits: make an appointment today to help keep your bunny hopping along.

It’s important to recognize the difference between acute stress, which is immediate and intense, and chronic stress,  which results from a long-standing cause (or set of causes). Two of the most damaging stressors present in the lives of many pets are boredom and loneliness.  A brief list of other culprits follows:

Too much stress?

• DIET–Take a look at the food you’re feeding your cat or dog. The majority of pet foods sold in supermarkets is heavily processed which can cause a variety of health problems in your pet. Consider changing your animal pal’s diet to one that contains raw or “fresh” food which you can find in pet specialty shops and some grocery stores in the refrigerated section.
• LIFESTYLE–Most pets need attention and to spend some quality time with you. If you’re not already doing so, try to take at least an hour every day to play with your pet. Alternately, you can take him or her for a walk or just sit and relax a while with your furry friend. Doing so will go far in helping reduce your pet’s stress levels–and yours, too.
• YOU– Even if you don’t think they can, animals can sense when you’re feeling stressed out which in turn can upset their own equilibrium over time.  By taking stock of the stress in your own life and taking measures to more effectively manage it, you can keep yourself and your animal pal free from the physical and emotional ailments that stress can cause.

The experienced DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at Austin Pets and Bird Clinic can determine whether that uncharacteristic listlessness in your cat or dog is the sign of stress. We can help you create a wellness plan to address your pet’s needs so that both you and your furry friend can live healthier, more stress-free lives together.

Photo credit: photostock

If you see me chewing my fur, it could be stress. Stress from you not giving me enough cuddles. So get to work!

Just as in people, if your feline pal shows unusual behavior, it could be due to an underlying physical issue. The most common of these include:

• physical illness: your cat could be suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition such as a mite or ringworm infestation or, if the cat is older, kidney disease.
• an excess of fleas and/or ticks: even if your cat lives indoors, he/she can still attract parasites that might have found their way inside on your clothing. Both fleas and ticks can irritate cats’ skin, causing them to chew off  chunks of fur in an attempt to alleviate the incessant itching.
• a poor diet: cats who don’t get the proper nutrition can suffer from a variety of serious health problems including obesity, organ damage and allergic reactions that may be causing them to over-groom. Premium quality cat food can still cause reactions in more sensitive felines: you might want to try switching to a gluten-free cat food or one that’s made with a different protein to see if that helps your cat’s condition.
• an environmental allergy: if you have made a change to your cat’s litter or bedding, your feline pal could be over-grooming in response to the alterations. Consider all factors, including the laundry detergent you used to wash your cat’s bedding.
• stress: your cat may be upset because something is different in your home. Perhaps you’ve adopted another pet, have less time to spend with your cat or have changed the human population in your living space by adding to (or subtracting from) a pre-existing number. Try paying more attention to your cat and offering special treats and toys.

If you can’t seem to track down the cause behind your kitty’s psychogenic alopecia, then it’s time to consult with a  qualified veterinarian. The DVMs at Austin Pet and Bird Clinic can give your pet the quality health care it deserves. You and your feline pal can count on us to get to the root of what could otherwise turn into a very hairy problem indeed.

Now that you've recovered from the New Year's Eve party, bring your pet to Austin's Pet and Bird Clinics.

• Get your pet spayed or neutered: We all know that “fixing” your animal pal decreases the population of strays. But many veterinarians believe that spaying or neutering can also decrease incidences of testicular cancer, prostate problems, urine-marking and aggression for males and a decrease in mammary, uterine and ovarian cancer for females.
• Pet-proof your home: Make sure that you have put poisons and other dangerous items behind locked cabinets or in a room that your pet can’t access.
• Customize your pet’s diet: When kept at proper body weight for its size and age, your pet can live a longer, healthier life. He or she will also be at a lower risk for heart disease, joint problems and other conditions associated with poor health.
• Invest in pet ID: Consider getting a tag or microchip to identify your pet. Doing so will help ensure that you will get your animal pal back in the event he or she gets lost.
• Start a pet grooming regimen: Create a grooming schedule that includes regular baths, brushings and nail clippings.
• Exercise more with your pet: Dogs love to go for walks around the neighborhood or in the local park. Other animals, such as cats and ferrets, also appreciate time outdoors (or, in the case of birds, out of their cages). Consider letting these other pets out into enclosed safe spaces while you do some workouts of your own.

Don’t forget to also bring your animal pet to Austin’s Pet and Bird Clinics for an annual checkup. Waiting until your pet is sick leads to unnecessary suffering and complications that will only make treatment more expensive. Set up an appointment today and get a healthy start for your pet in the new year.

You don't want to see me with canine influenza...

Canine influenza first gained attention in 2004 when it was diagnosed among greyhound dogs in Florida. H3N8 still permeates the canine community, especially (but not exclusively) in Colorado, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  It attacks all breeds and ages and can lead to canine pneumonia and death.

Infected dogs can pass it to each other. Humans who have been in contact with sick animals can also pass it to healthy canines. The virus has a fairly long life outside of a dog’s body: up to 48 hours on concrete, 12 hours on clothing, and several minutes on hands.

As in humans, the virus attacks the respiratory system. It is highly contagious. Dogs can develop a cough that is similar to kennel cough but is far more severe. This symptom is the first sign that a dog has H3N8 and can persist for upwards of two to three weeks. Unfortunately, this cough doesn’t respond to either cough suppressants or antibiotics.

Dogs are most at risk for catching this disease in such venues as:

• dog parks
• dog shows
• boarding kennels
• training facilities
• any location where an outbreak has been identified

Immunization is typically administered in two separate doses over a three-week period. An Austin Pet and Bird Clinic veterinarian can assess your dog’s individual risk factors and needs and suggest a course of action—or treatment if your dog has the H3N8 virus. While you may never have heard of canine influenza, it’s definitely nothing to sneeze at.

That sneeze or clogged head may not be due to the cat or dog...

Before you get rid of your animal pal, you need to consider whether that pet—and more specifically, their saliva, fur or skin dander—is really the cause of your discomfort. MSN.com reports that allergies typically “stem from exposure to a number of different triggers” and that “cumulatively, you may reach a threshold where your asthma or sinuses get aggravated by any and all of them.”

Milk and dairy products may be one contributor to the allergic reactions you may be experiencing. Human beings “are the only species who consume the milk into adulthood and also the only species that consumes the milk of another species.” Lactose intolerance or the inability to digest milk is very common, as are allergies to milk proteins, which can lead to the overproduction of mucus. Try going dairy free for a few weeks to see if any of your symptoms subside.

Dust mites could also be a possible culprit. You can help minimize contact with them by “chang[ing] your bed linens regularly and wash[ing] them in super-hot water when you do.” It’s also a good idea to regularly wash curtains and throw pillows and to vacuum sofas and other upholstered furniture. It may also be possible that pollen or other air pollutants are responsible for your symptoms: check your local weather news to see if levels of one or both are high. If so, keep windows closed and “limit exposure to outside air during these times.”

If your cat or dog really is aggravating your allergies, a number of ways exist to lessen the impact on your lungs and sinuses:

• Use an air purifier: you will need to buy one for every room, but fortunately, purifiers are not expensive.
• Invest in a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to more effectively remove allergens from furniture and carpets.
• Give your pet regular baths to control dander. In the case of cats, “wet down a washcloth with very warm, even hot water.” So long as the washcloth isn’t soaking wet, your feline friend “shouldn’t notice the wetness because [he or she] will love the heat.”
• Close off access to your bedroom: “reducing your exposure to potential pet allergens for 10 or so hours that night may be enough to manage your symptoms.”