August 2006 Newsletter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
August 2006 Newsletter

September is Senior Wellness Month
Did you know that almost 25% of senior pets have undiagnosed health conditions? Problems such as kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes are just a few problems that can be picked up in early stages. Senior wellness testing is the best way to pick up negative health trends BEFORE any outward signs of illness is apparent. If your dog or cat is over 7 years of age. Call to schedule your pets annual senior wellness testing.

Pet of the Month
Congrats to "Dax" a Great Dane that is recognized as LMAH's September Pet of the Month. We love seeing "Dax" at the office, especially when he sports his "doggie sun visor". Check out his story on our website www.lmah.net.

Back to School and Pets
As children go back to school and family schedules are changing the family pet may be left wondering "What happened?" The extra attention and family time that your pet knows during the summer, may decrease substantially as everyone has school and work commitments. Fido or Fluffy can develop heightened anxiety or depression at being left alone for much longer periods of time. A bored or anxious pet may develop behavior problems such as separation anxiety, destructive behaviors, and housetraining accidents.

You can help to avoid these problems by ensuring that your pet is physically active and mentally stimulated. Read on to learn how to head off a behavior problem during back to school season.

1. Provide physical activity.
Maintain a schedule of walking your dog. Take your dog on 30-60 minute walks 1-2 times a day. A dog that is worn out is less likely to become bored and develop problem behaviors. Cats need exercise too! Schedule kitty play time with catnip filled balls or Cat Dancer toys.

2. Find ways to entertain your pet.
Dogs can be entertained at home with Kong toys stuffed with treats or peanut butter. Cats and dogs alike may enjoy the television tuned into pet themed channels such as the Animal Planet. A great alternative to leaving your dog alone is doggie day care. Dogs will benefit from the social interaction and activity in day care.

3. Try pheromones: the scent hormone.
Pheromones are a great non-medication means to help calm your dog or cat. The dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) mimics the scent hormone a mother dog gives to her nursing puppies to calm them. The feline pheromone (Feliway) mimics the facial rubbing or "happy cat" pheromone. These pheromones are made in a spray or plug-in form and releases the calming hormone to decrease anxiety for your dog or cat. (ask LMAH staff for further details)

4. Reinforce Housetraining.
Even well-trained adult pets can suffer a housetraining "setback" when anxiety or a change in routine develops. For dogs, make sure to use positive reinforcement when they do their "business" in the right area. For cats, keep up with litter box cleanliness since many cats will avoid a dirty litter box. Also, be sure to always have one more litter pan than cat in the home. (i.e: 2 cats & 3 litter pans)