Otterkill Animal Hospital
Newsletter Volume 5, March 2006

Put a Spring In That Step!

Finally, it seems that spring is in the air. What a strange winter we’ve been through. Thankfully, the warmer weather means we can all become more active outside again. A few spring animal health tips:

Just like many of us, the decreased activity of winter can cause our canine companions to lose some body condition and even gain a few pounds. Our dogs need to be gradually eased into exercise just like us. Begin with short walks or jogs and gradually increase the distance so flabby muscles can gradually build up their strength and tolerance. We’re often asked, “ just how far can we go with our dogs?” The answer for them is the same as for us. As far as they can! We have some patients that can hike for 15 miles without any problems and others that can barely make it from the couch to the food bowl. With a gradual build-up we recommend as much exercise as you both can tolerate. If the dog looks winded or tired, then slow down or back off a little. We can develop a customized exercise program for your dog. Just ask! Exercise is good for all of us.

This is also the time of year where that normally outside cat stops sneering at the door and actually starts spending more time outdoors. While officially we recommend keeping cats indoors, as indoor cats generally live longer, safer lives, most cats do fine with some outdoor activity. Yes, cats are much harder to control outdoors then dogs so the risks of problems are greater, but there are likely some benefits for them too. They often do better with increased exercise and there is anecdotal evidence that there is some benefit to a natural diet (unless of course you happen to be that chipmunk). Some studies have shown that up to 30% of songbird deaths are due to predation by companion cats. It may be wise to try to keep your cat away from the bird feeder and give our feathered friends some help. Once the Avian Flu hits North America, this will likely become a real issue. We’ll keep you posted. Outdoor cats should have some type of identification such as a collar with ID tag or have a microchip implanted. Cat collars should always be the “break-away” kind to avoid them getting caught in something on their jaunts.

Spring also means that parasites and wild animals also become more active. Make sure your companions are current on vaccinations, particularly rabies. Keep up your tick and flea control measures as ticks wake up hungry this time of year. We have several products that we’ve tested and know work well for our patients. If your dog is not taking year-round heartworm preventative, then this is the time to restart those monthly pills. There are new guidelines for internal parasite control as well, so keep up with our regular de-worming program also. We can make sure that your companion is well protected from these dangerous parasites and diseases.

Microchipping can save lives
Over 500 hundred of our patients are protected from being lost or stolen through permanent identification provided by a microchip implanted under the skin. The HomeAgain microchips are injected under the skin with a needle similar to any other injection and can be performed during any office visit. You then register the chip’s unique number with a recovery agency and if your animal is ever lost it can easily be traced back to you. We recommend this for every patient. We’d be glad to discuss this with you.

Meet the Staff
Last edition we introduced you to our new office manager, Lauren. Now we’d like you to meet our other new receptionist, Vicky. She’s a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s and comes to us with much office experience. We’ve also known her for a long time as a dedicated client and animal lover. When she’s not behind our desk, you’ll find her romping with her companions. Learn more about her on our website.

Computer Upgrade
Thank you for your patience as we’ve all adapted to our new computer system. It really is going to help our office run much smoother and allow us to help you much more efficiently. We’ll be adding some new capabilities in the near future such as e-mailed reminders in addition to our regular post cards. You’ll also be able to order prescription refills on line through the website (this option will be available this week!).

Photo contest
Thanks to all of you that have submitted entries for our animal photo contest. The rest of you still have until April 1 to submit your photos. Learn more on the website: http://otterkill.com/news0106.htm (See bottom of the page for the details!)

Happy Spring!