Octpber 19, 2012 -- HALLOWEEN TREAT WARNING

Beware

Ashworth Road Animal Hospital sent this to all of their pet families...I want to share it with all of you...

October 8, 2012 - DON'T LEAVE YOUR PETS UNPROTECTED!

	TODAY'S PET TIP Flea Control
Here are some tips for battling fleas on your dog: It is best to prevent fleas than to treat active infestations. Repeat treatments are necessary to kill new fleas that jump on your pet and to kill the different stages of the flea as they develop in your home and yard. For monthly products, keep a reminder system. Try giving medications the same day of every month. Place the reminder in your calendar or on your refrigerator. If your pet's a swimmer or bathed frequently, consider "waterproof" products or "water-resistant" products Most veterinarians recommend year-round flea prevention. Some flea control products are combined with heartworm prevention medications, tick control medications, and other gastrointestinal parasite control. Talk to your vet about which product might be best for your pet.

It's prime time for fleas right now. Yes, you read that right. Now. Nope, it's not only in spring or summer.

Some of the worst flea problems occur in the fall when fleas have had all summer to reproduce, leaving large numbers around and allowing for terrible infestations.

Many pet parents mistakenly believe that fleas die off and are out of sight in the fall (and therefore out of mind) but nothing can be further from the truth. Temperatures are still warm enough outside, so fleas are still actively breeding. Plus there's typically an increase in precipitation in the fall months and fleas love that. Fleas can also live inside your warm home and will continue to multiply until you do something about it.

It All Comes Down To Unprotected Pets.

Many pet parents choose to let their dogs go without protection in the fall and winter, leaving them at great risk for picking up these pesky pests in the yard, by the lake or on a walk. Fleas can jump 8-12 inches – just the right amount to stow away on their mobile meals (your dog). Within 30 minutes, those disgusting little vampires start sucking your dog's blood. In just 24 hours, a flea will start breeding. Without treatment, these little bloodsuckers can live six to 12 months … feeding on your poor dog the whole time.

The flea eggs begin hatching within two-five days and the whole lifecycle of the flea continues until your pets, your carpets … even your bed are infested with those itchy and nasty buggers.

And don't be fooled by cooler weather. Just because the temperatures start dropping outside doesn't mean the fleas will die off in your home. They're still nice and toasty warm inside your home … breeding and multiplying to your dog's (and your) irritation.

Stop Them In Their Tracks Now!

Now that you know how serious the flea problem is in the fall, I urge all pet parents to get on board and protect your beloved pets against these nasty, icky and painful pests. There's no reason any dog should go unprotected this fall. If price is an issue, not to worry! I have a great deal for you.

My partnership with 1-800-PetMeds is a great way for you to stock up on your flea and tick protection and stay on top of fleas all year long. They offer flea and tick medication at a deep discount – 30-40% off the regular price – along with free shipping right to your door. They make it so easy and convenient to get your medications, your dog never has to go without … and you never have to worry about fleas ever again.
, I wanted to let you know about a very special offer just for PetPlace subscribers. You can take an extra 10% off your order at 1-800-PetMeds. To get your extra 10% off, click here.

Shop now for the same top brands I recommend at my clinic at prices you can afford, including:

Top Flea/Tick Prevention Brands

• K9 Advantix II 
• Frontline Plus
• Advantage II
• Revolution
• Fleas4X  

October 3, 2012 - HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR DOGS DIGESTION

Every process in a dog's body has to work well in order for them to stay healthy. That includes the obvious ones like eating, drinking, and sleeping, but also things like digestion. 

Dog's bodies must be able to efficiently absorb nutrients from food and safely remove waste. Digestion is an essential part of life, and a healthy digestive system is key to overall health. When something goes wrong with your dog's digestive system, it can have effects on many other parts of your dog's wellbeing.  

How can you tell if something is amiss? Your dog may have digestive problems if he displays any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Loose stool
• Whimpering during eating (indicating mouth or stomach pains)
• Reluctance to eat
• Lethargy
• Flatulence

If your dog experiences any combination of these issues for longer than 24 hours (especially the top 5), I urge you to visit your vet as soon as possible. Poor digestion is often a temporary condition but in some cases it can be a sign of a more serious health problem like kidney disease, food allergies, stomach ulcers, or even cancer. 

With some careful observation your vet can help you determine what is causing your dog's digestive problems. Not all stomach upset is the result of a major issue; sometimes it's caused by simple stress (or a snack from the trash can). If there is no underlying health issue, keep an eye on your dog. How much and how often does he eat? Does he gobble his food down or take his time with it? Eating too quickly and too much can lead to a wide variety of problems. You may need to make some changes in your dog's feeding schedule and diet to help alleviate them.

One recommendation I have is to feed your dog less food more frequently. If your dog gets one large serving of food each day, try splitting that up. Feed your dog smaller amounts of food two or three times a day instead. Don't give him too much at a time and watch for gulping or choking due to eating too quickly. At the same time, make sure you're not underfeeding him too! Most dog foods have serving size suggestions on the back based on your dog's weight. If you're not sure how much food your dog needs, ask your vet - that's what we're here for!

Some digestive issues are caused by how your dog's body processes food. If for example their intestines do not absorb nutrients properly, you might need to give them a nutritional supplement. If they suffer from constipation you might want to add fiber to your dog's diet in the form of fruits, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, and a few others. Some issues are alleviated by the addition of yogurt with active cultures that helps balance out beneficial stomach bacteria. But remember, NEVER change your dog's diet overnight, and ALWAYS check with your vet before adding or removing an ingredient. 

Take care when giving your dog any supplements, and always follow the instructions on the medicine or given to you by your vet. And of course, never give your dog human medicine!

Finally, your dog's issues might be caused by a substandard diet. In this case one of the best things you can do for your dog is to change to a higher-quality food. Choose a meat-based dog food with natural ingredients. For dogs with digestive problems and food sensitivities, Nutro is a great choice.

Nutro Natural Choice dog food uses all-natural ingredients in a diet formulated to help your dog stay healthy. Even better, Nutro guarantees improved digestion to help your dog live a long, healthy life. Whole grains and real meat help regulate your dog's digestive system and dogs love the great taste.

A healthy dog is a happy dog! Poor digestion is more than a nuisance - it can be a serious health hazard. Help your dog's stomach, and your dog will thank you!

Until next time,

P.S. As I have mentioned before, Miss Scarlett has a tricky tummy--We purchase her food through Ashworth Road Veterinary Hospital...Id Canine. It comes both in a can and by an 8# sack. We serve her canned first thing in the morning--noon and evening the dry. One way I hold down on her vomiting is not to overfeed her at one time...